Amy McGruder
Olathe,KS
Summary
Organizational leader and educational administrator offering a well-rounded and dynamic education for preschool and elementary students. Exercises honed competencies in development, implementation and execution of performance-enhancing programs. Outstanding skills in parent communication, conflict resolution and staff management. Known for consistently supporting faculty and staff as advocate leader.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Associate Head of School
Kansas City Christian School
Prairie Village, KS
07.2020 - Current
- Completed Elementary Principal responsibilities in addition to Associate Head of School responsibilities while also running KCC Lil Panther's Program.
- Chair for Cognia Accreditation visit in Spring 2020.
- Co-Chair for Christian Schools International dual accreditation with Cognia in Spring 2024.
- Assisted in recruiting highly qualified teachers who demonstrated a commitment to the vision and mission of KCC.
- Managed budgetary decisions, ensuring responsible allocation of resources and financial stability of school.
- Coordinated special events such as graduation ceremonies or guest speaker presentations, ensuring memorable experiences for students and families.
- Streamlined administrative processes for improved efficiency, leading to more productive work environment.
- Served as mentor to faculty members, offering guidance in areas such as classroom management or curriculum development.
- Developed strong school culture focused on collaboration, inclusivity, and continuous improvement.
- Collaborated with Head of School on decision-making processes related to hiring practices, policy changes, or other essential matters.
- Contributed to strategic planning efforts by identifying areas of growth potential within the institution as well as challenges that required attention.
Preschool Director
KCC Lil Panther's Program
Prairie Village, KS
06.2021 - Current
- Supervised a teaching staff of 8 while also maintaining my full-time job as Associate Head of School, Elementary Principal at Kansas City Christian School.
- Collaborated with staff to create inclusive environment, accommodating diverse learning needs.
- Maintained compliance with state licensing regulations through diligent record keeping and routine inspections preparation.
- Managed daily operations, ensuring efficient scheduling, budgeting, and resource allocation for optimal program performance.
- Established school policies and communicated to staff and parents for well-coordinated and high-quality daily operations.
- Hired and trained new preschool employees.
- Led staff training sessions on early childhood education best practices, enhancing overall teaching quality.
- Oversaw interview and hiring process of classroom personnel for selection of high-quality teachers and staff.
Elementary Principal
Kansas City Christian School
Prairie Village, KS
07.2017 - 06.2020
- Strengthened teacher collaboration through establishment of professional learning communities focused on student achievement.
- Oversaw integration of technology into classroom instruction to enrich learning experiences and prepare students for future academic endeavors.
- Enhanced school performance by implementing data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement strategies.
- Collaborated with district leaders to align school goals with broader strategic objectives focused on improving overall system performance levels across key indicators.
- Ensured compliance with state regulations and district policies regarding curriculum standards, assessment reporting, and special education services.
- Improved instructional practices through ongoing coaching, mentoring, and targeted professional development opportunities for teachers.
- Developed comprehensive intervention programs tailored to meet diverse needs of at-risk students, resulting in increased academic achievement and reduced dropout rates.
- Evaluated teacher performance using multiple measures including observation data, student growth outcomes, and stakeholder feedback for informed decision-making on staffing matters.
- Maintained open lines of communication with staff, parents, and community members through regular updates on school progress, challenges encountered, and future plans for continued growth.
- Reduced disciplinary issues by developing a comprehensive behavior management plan tailored to individual student needs.
- Managed successful transition of new teachers into the school community by implementing comprehensive induction programs and ongoing mentoring support.
Assistant Elementary Principal
Kansas City Christian School
Prairie Village, KS
06.2015 - 06.2017
- Oversaw the integration of technology into classroom instruction to enrich learning experiences and prepare students for future academic endeavors.
- Enhanced school performance by implementing data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement strategies.
- Collaborated with district leaders to align school goals with broader strategic objectives focused on improving overall system performance levels across key indicators.
- Ensured compliance with state regulations and district policies regarding curriculum standards, assessment reporting, and special education services.
- Developed comprehensive intervention programs tailored to meet diverse needs of at-risk students, resulting in increased academic achievement and reduced dropout rates.
- Improved instructional practices through ongoing coaching, mentoring, and targeted professional development opportunities for teachers.
- Evaluated teacher performance using multiple measures including observation data, student growth outcomes, and stakeholder feedback for informed decision-making on staffing matters.
- Maintained open lines of communication with staff, parents, and community members through regular updates on school progress, challenges encountered, and future plans for continued growth.
High School Math/Science Teacher
Kansas City Christian School
Prairie Village, KS
08.2011 - 06.2015
- Assisted in creating safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Planned, prepared, and taught lesson plans, giving students individual support.
- Delivered interactive lessons to help students comprehend complex concepts.
- Participated in professional development workshops to stay updated on current research findings and best practices in science education.
- Incorporated project-based learning into the curriculum, challenging students to apply scientific principles in real-world situations while developing teamwork skills.
- Enhanced classroom environment for effective learning by incorporating hands-on activities and real-world applications of scientific concepts.
- Established clear expectations for behavior and academic performance; consistently enforced policies while maintaining fairness and respect toward all students.
- Designed innovative science curricula to engage students and promote critical thinking.
- Communicated with students and parents regarding academic progress, assignments, and behavior.
4th-6th Grade Science Teacher
STARBASE
Kansas City, KS
06.2015 - 07.2015
- Summer program for 4th-6th grade students utilizing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum.
- Priority given to Title 1 schools and disadvantaged youth.
4th-6th Grade Science Teacher
STARBASE
Kansas City, KS
06.2014 - 07.2014
- Summer program for 4th-6th grade students utilizing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum.
- Priority given to Title 1 schools and disadvantaged youth
Upward Bound Science Teacher
Kansas State University
Salina, KS
06.2011 - 07.2011
- Summer program designed for first generation college bound students.
- Produced engaging lesson plans and activities for twenty students to help master science learning objectives. Special attention were given to chemistry and biology.
High School Science/Math Teacher
Elyria Christian School
Elyria, KS
08.2009 - 07.2011
- Kept classroom environments consistent and focused on learning by establishing and enforcing clear objectives.
- Adapted teaching style to accommodate diverse learning needs, resulting in improved academic performance for all students.
- Collaborated with colleagues to create interdisciplinary lesson plans, promoting a deeper understanding of mathematical connections across subjects.
- Implemented data-driven instruction by analyzing student performance data to inform lesson planning and differentiation strategies.
- Scheduled appointments with parents to discuss student progress and classroom behavior.
- Utilized multimedia strategies and technology to convey information in fresh and interesting ways.
- Developed effective assessment strategies for measuring student progress in alignment with instructional goals.
- Prepared and implemented lesson plans covering required course topics.
- Assessed student comprehension through regular quizzes, tests, and assignments.
- International Trip Coordinator, Brazil & Hungary
Education
Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) - Early Childhood Education
CDAclass
Online 01.2021
M.A. Educational Leadership -
American College of Education
Indianapolis, IN01.2014
B.A. Middle Childhood Education -
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH01.2009
Skills
- Instructional Leadership
- Teacher Mentoring
- Parent Communication
- Collaborative learning
- Faculty & Staff Development
- Decision-Making
- Professional Development Planning
- School Improvement Planning
- Strategic Plan Development and Implementation
- Employee Performance Evaluations
- Curriculum Development
- Budget Administration
Volunteer Experience
- Little Kids Volunteer, Blue Valley Church, August 2022- present
- International Trip Coordinator, Kansas City Christian School, Spring 2014, Spring 2015
- English as a Second Language (ESL) adult teacher, Lenexa Baptist Church, August 2012 - December 2013
- International Trip Coordinator, Elyria Christian School, Summer 2010, Summer 2011
- English as a Second Language (ESL) High School & Adult teacher, Budapest, Hungary Summer 2009
Certification
Kansas State Teaching License, Middle Childhood Education Math & Science
Child Development Credential, CDA
Timeline
Preschool Director
KCC Lil Panther's Program
06.2021 - Current
Associate Head of School
Kansas City Christian School
07.2020 - Current
Elementary Principal
Kansas City Christian School
07.2017 - 06.2020
Assistant Elementary Principal
Kansas City Christian School
06.2015 - 06.2017
4th-6th Grade Science Teacher
STARBASE
06.2015 - 07.2015
4th-6th Grade Science Teacher
STARBASE
06.2014 - 07.2014
High School Math/Science Teacher
Kansas City Christian School
08.2011 - 06.2015
Upward Bound Science Teacher
Kansas State University
06.2011 - 07.2011
High School Science/Math Teacher
Elyria Christian School
08.2009 - 07.2011
Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) - Early Childhood Education
CDAclass
M.A. Educational Leadership -
American College of Education
B.A. Middle Childhood Education -
Cedarville University