Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Honors and Recognition
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Amanda Donaho

Windermere,FL

Summary

Dynamic and service-oriented leader with over 20 years of experience dedicated to fostering inclusive, mission-driven communities while advancing impactful programs that drive social change. Demonstrated success in engaging stakeholders at all levels, developing strategic partnerships, and leading diverse teams through complex initiatives aimed at sustainable growth. Recognized for building trust within organizations and empowering team members to achieve collective goals through innovative, people-centered solutions. Merges a deep commitment to community service with a track record of operational excellence, resulting in significant and lasting impact across various sectors.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Elementary Principal & Director of Enrollment (K–6)

Foundation Academy
06.2019 - 01.2025
  • Launched and led a new elementary school campus with 96% annual re-enrollment.
  • Built lasting relationships with families, staff, and community partners to drive mission-centered growth.
  • Oversaw enrollment outreach, student recruitment, and admissions pipeline.
  • Trained and mentored faculty to lead with compassion and professionalism.
  • Collaborated with marketing and development teams to create engagement campaigns and promotional materials.
  • Strengthened teacher collaboration through the establishment of professional learning communities focused on student achievement.
  • Oversaw the integration of technology into classroom instruction to enrich learning experiences and prepare students for future academic endeavors.
  • Coordinated extracurricular activities to promote student engagement, leadership development, and positive peer interactions outside of the classroom setting.
  • Optimized resource allocation by managing budgets, exceeding $300K securing grants, and overseeing facility maintenance projects to ensure a safe learning environment.
  • Streamlined administrative processes for increased efficiency in areas such as enrollment, attendance tracking, and report card generation.
  • Led successful accreditation reviews by demonstrating strong leadership in curriculum planning, faculty development, and continuous improvement efforts.

Admissions Director (PK3–6th)

Foundation Academy
06.2017 - 05.2019
  • Increased enrollment through personalized family outreach, on-campus events, and strong community presence.
  • Managed admissions department employees and office functions.
  • Maintained detailed calendar of interviews, meetings, emails and phone calls.
  • Conducted thorough reviews of 300+ yearly applicant files, making informed decisions on admission offers while maintaining institutional standards and goals.
  • Streamlined application processes for a more user-friendly experience, resulting in higher completion rates.
  • Developed and maintained strong relationships with feeder schools, leading to increased referrals and applications from top candidates.
  • Delivered engaging presentations to prospective students, parents, and school counselors about the institution''s academic programs, campus life, and post-graduation opportunities.
  • Enhanced campus visit programs by designing engaging events that showcased the institution''s strengths, leading to higher conversion rates of prospective students.
  • Contributed to increased retention rates among first-year students by collaborating with other departments to create a supportive environment for new enrollees.
  • Served as a key liaison with the financial aid office, ensuring accurate and timely information was provided to prospective students and their families.

Middle & High School Principal (6–12)

Foundation Academy
06.2014 - 05.2017
  • Strengthened parent-school partnerships and improved student retention through relationship-first leadership.
  • Collaborated with higher education institutions to offer career and college exploration events.
  • Enhanced teacher effectiveness through regular professional development workshops and training sessions.
  • Addressed disciplinary issues promptly and fairly, upholding a consistent standard of behavior expectations across the school community.
  • Created opportunities for student leadership development through clubs, sports teams, and other extracurricular activities.
  • Oversaw scheduling processes to ensure optimal class sizes and balanced course offerings for diverse learner needs.
  • Developed comprehensive safety protocols to ensure a secure learning environment for a 500+ students and staff members.
  • Increased parental involvement by organizing informative events and fostering open lines of communication.
  • Established strong relationships with community organizations to enhance student learning opportunities outside the classroom.
  • Collaborated with administration staff to develop functional budgets within allocated funds.

Assistant Principal

St. Clair County Schools
06.2013 - 05.2014
  • Partnered with principal to administer school program in alignment with vision and goals, providing positive, high-expectation academic environment in a school with over 1,000 students.
  • Supported a positive school culture by addressing student behavior concerns promptly and effectively.
  • Enhanced teacher effectiveness through regular classroom observations and feedback sessions with 40+ employees.
  • Built and maintained positive relationships with diverse stakeholders, such as parents, school volunteers and outside agencies.
  • Analyzed standardized test results to identify areas of improvement in instruction methods and curriculum content.
  • Spearheaded professional development initiatives, fostering an environment of continuous growth for staff members.
  • Coordinated special events such as parent-teacher conferences, open houses, and graduation ceremonies to promote a sense of community within the school.
  • Assisted with compliance efforts for fire and other safety regulations.
  • Led meetings to convey policy changes, gather information, and assess employee thoughts.
  • Increased parent satisfaction with regular communication channels, including newsletters and parent-teacher meetings.
  • Reduced instances of student tardiness and absenteeism through introduction of rewards-based attendance system.

Teacher

St. Clair County & Calhoun County Schools
01.2001 - 05.2013
  • Designed and led a yearly Read-A-Thon raising $30K yearly for school needs.
  • Developed inclusive learning spaces and supported underserved students through tailored programs.
  • Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
  • Maintained accurate records of student progress, attendance, and behavior to facilitate ongoing communication with parents about their child''s educational journey.
  • Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success.
  • Collaborated with other teachers to plan interdisciplinary units that connected subjects and promoted deeper understanding among students.
  • Organized extracurricular activities such as clubs or field trips that enriched students' learning experiences outside traditional classroom settings.
  • Mentored new teachers, sharing best practices and providing guidance to help them adapt to their new roles successfully.
  • Promoted digital literacy by integrating technology into curriculum.
  • Participated in department meetings to provide input to colleagues about student achievement and improvement.

Education

Master of Arts - Educational Administration, K–12

University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL
08.2004

National Board Certification - Early Childhood Generalist

Professional Teaching Standards
Arlington, VA
05-2010

Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education

Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, AL
12.2001

Skills

  • Nonprofit Program Development
  • Educational Sales & Marketing
  • Team Culture & Mission Alignment
  • Compassionate Leadership
  • Relationship Building and Networking
  • Enrollment & Retention Strategy
  • Staff Development & Leadership Coaching
  • Public Speaking & Presentation Skills
  • Data-Informed Decision Making
  • Budgeting Oversight
  • Event Planning & Coordination
  • Verbal and Written communication
  • Instructional Coaching

Honors and Recognition

  • Kappa Delta Epsilon - Honorary Education Sorority
  • Omicron Delta Kappa - National Leadership Honor Society
  • American Legion Volunteer of the Year Award 2024
  • Renaissance Learning Teacher for Calhoun County Schools
  • Innovative Teacher for St. Clair County Schools
  • Heart of a Lion Leadership Award Foundation Academy
  • Recipient of Multiple Classroom Grants
  • Implementation of STEM garden in K-6
  • Spend. Save. Serve. Financial Literacy Program Development in K-6
  • 98% Yeary Retention Rate in Private Education

Certification

  • Training Framework for Understanding Poverty Training with a focus on Inner-City Schools
  • ACSI & AdvancED Accreditation Leader
  • Grant Writing & Community Partnership Development
  • Social Media Engagement Training
  • Conflict Resolution/Mediation Training
  • Data Privacy and Security Training
  • Grant Writing and Fundraising
  • Emergency Preparedness & Safety Planning
  • Advanced Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, and Teams

Timeline

Elementary Principal & Director of Enrollment (K–6)

Foundation Academy
06.2019 - 01.2025

Admissions Director (PK3–6th)

Foundation Academy
06.2017 - 05.2019

Middle & High School Principal (6–12)

Foundation Academy
06.2014 - 05.2017

Assistant Principal

St. Clair County Schools
06.2013 - 05.2014

Teacher

St. Clair County & Calhoun County Schools
01.2001 - 05.2013

Master of Arts - Educational Administration, K–12

University of Alabama

National Board Certification - Early Childhood Generalist

Professional Teaching Standards

Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education

Jacksonville State University

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