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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Kansas State Teaching License, Middle Childhood Education Math & Science
Child Development Credential, CDA
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