Amanda Aardsma
Education
Schererville,IN
Summary
Dedicated Principal with Building-Level Administration and Elementary Education degrees and high-level expertise in data-driven decision execution. Developed programs and promoted opportunities for student achievement in large metropolitan school system. Excellent statistical, systems management and communications skills leading to optimum outcomes.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal
Lansing Christian School
Lansing, IL
12.2020 - Current
- Oversaw schedule management and protocols for orientation, registration and related activities.
- Trained 22 teachers on effective teaching techniques, classroom management strategies and behavior modification.
- Cultivated positive relationships between community members, school students and teachers.
- Mentored newly hired educators and provided encouragement and feedback.
- Monitored student behavior and enforced discipline policies for 185 students.
- Performed classroom evaluations to assess teacher strategies and effectiveness.
- Researched and incorporated new educational trends and instructional strategies to optimize education effectiveness.
- Administered personnel policies and procedures for school faculty and staff.
- Facilitated continued education for teaching staff through implementation of quality curriculum training and appropriation of necessary resources.
- Supported hiring, training, and disciplinary action in compliance with legal guidelines and requirements.
- Led meetings to convey policy changes, gather information and assess employee thoughts.
- Communicated policies and procedures to students and parents regarding student behavior.
- Modeled expected and appropriate leadership to promote to teaching staff and administrative personnel positive interaction with students and families.
- Established positive, stimulating learning environment for students and exciting education-focused setting for teachers.
- Modeled expected and appropriate leadership to promote teaching staff and administrative personnel's positive interaction with students and families.
- Built productive relationships with parents of students facing difficult situations at school or at home.
- Administered personnel policies and procedures and approved professional staff additions.
- Developed subject and grade leaders to advance oversight and improve instruction.
- Verified adherence to state, federal and private funding source requirements across programs and outcomes.
- Introduced modifications to ELA and Math curriculum and introduced new, effective instructional techniques.
Director of Assessment
Highland Christian School
Highland, IN
08.2017 - 07.2020
- Built, directed and managed implementation and effectiveness of assessment and referral program.
- Maintained administrative documentation associated with calls and services received.
- Collaborated on information infrastructure required to support efficiency and departmental performance.
- Carried out personnel management activities associated with direct staff supervision.
- Oversaw development and implementation of quality educational programs.
- Prepared action plans to address concerns discovered through surveys, classroom observations and conversations with stakeholders.
- Observed teachers and students in classrooms weekly to gather data and improve instruction.
- Recruited, trained and mentored faculty and staff in best practices for instruction.
- Reviewed and refreshed ELA and Math curriculum with faculty members to continuously improve quality of instruction.
- Achieved and maintained CSI accreditation through Christian Schools International.
- Inspired educators in Professional Learning Community to support collaborative school growth, leading to being named Model PLC School by Solution Tree.
- Planned and implemented staff development and in-service training programs to enhance knowledge and skills.
- Evaluated programs and monitored implementation and compliance with regulations to achieve objectives.
- Designed or used assessments to monitor student learning outcomes.
- Maintained program files, records, databases and websites to gather research and prepare and submit reports.
- Analyzed instructor, student and class trends to make proactive decisions about program operations.
- Organized and allocated resources required to meet needs of 300+ students and 35 instructors.
Teacher
Highland Christian School
Highland, IN
08.2013 - 07.2020
- Worked cooperatively with other teachers, administrators and parents to help students reach learning objectives.
- Communicated frequently with parents, students and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
- Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Incorporated multiple types of teaching strategies into classroom.
- Planned and implemented integrated lessons to meet national standards.
- Promoted physical, mental and social development using classroom games and activities.
- Encouraged creative thinking and motivated students by addressing individual strengths and weaknesses based on standardized testing results.
- Incorporated exciting and engaging activities to achieve student participation and hands-on learning.
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
- Held conferences with parents to address questions, discuss academic progress and encourage learning goals.
- Reviewed curriculum and devised alternate approaches to presenting lessons to increase student understanding.
- Implemented creative ways to foster curiosity for complex principles through hands-on learning and planned activities.
- Fostered team collaboration between students through group projects.
- Instructed students in core educational principles, concepts and in-depth subject matter.
- Enhanced student knowledge of technology by integrating various web-based applications for research and assignments.
- Developed and implemented lesson plans that addressed general students as well as those with individualized 504 plans as part of integrated classroom.
- Attended and facilitated IEP meetings for students and families.
- Devised and implemented strategies to create and maintain cohesive school community within virtual classroom setting.
Teacher
Roseland Christian School
Chicago, IL
08.2005 - 07.2008
- Worked cooperatively with other teachers, administrators and parents to help students reach learning objectives.
- Communicated frequently with parents, students and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
- Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Incorporated multiple types of teaching strategies into classroom.
- Planned and implemented integrated lessons to meet national standards.
- Promoted physical, mental and social development using classroom games and activities.
- Graded and evaluated student assignments, papers and course work.
- Encouraged creative thinking and motivated students by addressing individual strengths and weaknesses based on standardized testing results.
- Incorporated exciting and engaging activities to achieve student participation and hands-on learning.
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
- Held conferences with parents to address questions, discuss academic progress and encourage learning goals.
- Reviewed curriculum and devised alternate approaches to presenting lessons to increase student understanding.
- Implemented creative ways to foster curiosity for complex principles through hands-on learning and planned activities.
- Fostered team collaboration between students through group projects.
- Instructed students in core educational principles, concepts and in-depth subject matter.
- Enhanced student knowledge of technology by integrating various web-based applications for research and assignments.
- Developed and implemented lesson plans that addressed general students as well as those with individualized 504 plans as part of integrated classroom.
- Attended and facilitated IEP meetings for students and families.
Education
Master of Science - Educational Leadership
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN08.2019
Master of Arts - Elementary Education
Dordt University
Sioux Center, IA05.2005
Skills
- Goal Setting
- Federal, State and Local Regulations Adherence
- Critical Thinking
- Responsible and Dependable
- Relationship Building
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Staff Leadership
- Stakeholder Collaboration
- New Program Review
- Interpersonal Communication
- Decision Making
- Instructional Methods Development
- Elementary education
- Process improvements
- Verbal and written communication
- School administration
- Multitasking ability
- Team Bonding
- Instructional leadership
- Standards of excellence
- Staff Development
Accomplishments
- Set high-level goals for both students and teachers to encourage both parties to strive for personal best and succeeded in implementing long-term strategy with positive results.
Attended Herzog Foundation Marketing and Donor Development Bootcamps
January 2022: At the Marketing and Enrollment Bootcamp, I gained the knowledge and skills to build a marketing plan including messaging, goals, implementation strategies, and much more.
March 2022: At the Donor Development Bootcamp I received training on donor development, fundraising, and relationship building. Not only did I grow in the knowledge of the concepts and ideas of fundraising, but worked with my Development Director to build out a strategic development plan under the guidance and support the of some the industries best leadership and development consultants.
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
Principal
Lansing Christian School
12.2020 - Current
Director of Assessment
Highland Christian School
08.2017 - 07.2020
Teacher
Highland Christian School
08.2013 - 07.2020
Teacher
Roseland Christian School
08.2005 - 07.2008
Master of Science - Educational Leadership
Purdue University
Master of Arts - Elementary Education
Dordt University
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