CATHERINE FOSTER
Concord,CA
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Director/Principal
Contra Costa School Of Performing Arts
07.2023 - Current
- Oversee operations of school including enrollment, curriculum, compliance, human resources and financials.
- Managed diverse team of 30 professionals, fostering collaborative work environment for increased productivity.
- Collaborated with legal, accounting, special education and other professional teams to review and maintain compliance with regulations.
- Championed diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within organization to create more inclusive work environment.
- Defined company roles and responsibilities to establish and enhance processes.
- Guided staff through periods of organizational change, maintaining morale and engagement during transitions.
- Forge strong relationships with board members, providing regular updates on organizational progress and soliciting their expertise when needed.
- Fostered work culture of collaboration and inclusion to increase morale and reduce turnover.
Associate Principal
Contra Costa School of Performing Arts
09.2022 - 06.2023
- Case manager for students with Individualized Education Plans (IEP) in grades 6-12
- Manage SEIS reporting and CALPADs compliance for LEA
- Oversaw 12 staff members from Special Education, English and History departments
- Coached staff of 20 on Reading and Writing Strategies from Jennifer Serravallo
Coordinator of Special Education
Contra Costa School of Performing Arts
07.2021 - 08.2022
- Case manager for 32 students with Individualized Education Plans (IEP) in grades 6-12
- Manage SEIS reporting and CALPADs compliance for LEA
- Oversaw 5 SPED team members, external partners for assessing, speech, counseling and OT.
- Self-contained classroom (SDC) teacher for 6th and 7th grade students with autism and other specific learning disabilities impacting their ability to succeed in general education classroom.
Integrated Special Education Specialist Lead
Rocketship Public Schools
07.2019 - 06.2021
- Case manager for 28 students grades 2-5 with Individualized Education Plans (IEP)
- Co-teacher 5th grade math via distance learning on Zoom
- Provided instruction, monitored progress, analyzed data toward IEP goals for students
- Led, coached and supported Integrated Special Education (ISE) team of 11 people
- Utilized SEIS for IEP file management
- Developed and designed curriculum and training for professional development
- Induction/BTSA Mentor for 4 teachers
Assistant Principal
Rocketship Public Schools
07.2018 - 06.2019
- Managed and coached 8 staff members across Humanities, Math & Science, Special Education and computer learning labs/enrichment/PE
- Interviewed, hired, on-boarded and supported any vacancies throughout year
- Oversaw and worked closely with Special Education department of 5 staff members
- Managed compliance scheduling, IEP meetings, service minutes and coordination needs for 25 mild/mod students and 2 SIP autistic students
- Coordinated and ran Student Success Team (SST) meetings with staff and families
- CPI certified
- Supported teachers to achieve at least 1.5 years of growth in ELA and Math
- Analyzed and used data to drive instruction
- Built collaborative and supportive environment among school leadership team and staff members.
Math Intervention Specialist
Mount Diablo Unified School District
08.2017 - 06.2018
- Worked part-time with RTI Tier II students in grades 1st - 5th identified and targeted for support in math.
Director of Communications
Aspire Public Schools
06.2012 - 07.2017
- Strategically planned and deployed external communications, newsletters, media relations, social media and marketing outreach to attract talent, donors and families
- Supported Chief of Staff and CEO with internal communications designed to support and retain talent
- Initiated two website redesigns and maintained day-to-day content
- Managed branding and identity including overseeing creation of all collateral
- Managed social media platforms and campaigns, media relations, and crisis communications as needed
- Produced and directed all promotional Aspire videos
- Developed strategy for deployment and use.
- Composed and executed grant proposals, funding reports, and annual giving campaigns.
- Managed Salesforce database, Network for Good giving pages, Indiegogo, and Razoo donation projects.
- Implemented and coordinated events for Aspire College for Certain Dinners and Shining Stars Luncheons.
- Created Aspire Shining Stars Program to recognize graduating seniors and provide scholarship award.
- Spearheaded rebranding initiative, aligning visual identity with company values and strategic direction.
Instructional Coach
Aspire Public Schools
09.2002 - 06.2011
- Trained and supported approximately 50 new teachers annually aligned with new teacher BTSA/induction program.
- Used online data tools to guide teachers and principals around math instruction.
- National Board Certification mentor/coach to candidates seeking certification.
- Created customized professional development workshops tailored to address specific challenges identified within each department or grade-level team.
- Supported student success by providing comprehensive training on assessment tools and procedures.
- Provided insightful recommendations to enhance instructional practices based on qualitative and quantitative assessment data analysis.
Classroom Teacher/Lead Teacher K-3
Chicago Public Schools
09.1995 - 06.2002
- Taught self-contained first/second looping multiage class
- Mentored three teachers new to teaching and coached them through new teacher induction
- Piloted math program called Children's Math Worlds (now Houghton- Mifflin Math Expressions).
Auxiliary Operations and Campus Relations
Teacher For America
10.1990 - 09.1993
- Managed events, micro-operations and six interns for Teach For America summer institute
- Organized professional development conferences for corps members in each region.
Education
Education Specialist Credential -
08.2025
Professional Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential -
04.2025
Special Education Credential Program -
Loyola Marymount University, Northern CA Cohort
06.2020
Administrative Services Credential -
04.2019
Instructional Leadership Program -
Relay Graduate School of Education, East Bay Cohort
San Francisco, CA03.2019
Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Supervision -
San Jose State University, Aspire Public Schools Cohort
Oakland, CA05.2006
National Board-Certified Teacher, Early Childhood Generalist -
National Board For Professional Teaching Standards
11.2001
Master of Science in Education and Social Policy -
Northwestern University, School of Education and Social Policy
Evanston, IL08.1995
Bachelor of Arts in English -
Boston University, College of Liberal Arts
Boston, MA05.1990
Affiliations
- Northgate High School, PFC President, 07/2021, present
- Foothill Middle School, PFA Vice President, Parliamentarian, 07/2017, present
- Valle Verde Elementary School, PTA President, Vice President, Secretary, 07/2013, 06/2018
- Valle Verde Elementary School, Site Council Member, 09/2011, 06/2013
Timeline
Executive Director/Principal
Contra Costa School Of Performing Arts
07.2023 - Current
Associate Principal
Contra Costa School of Performing Arts
09.2022 - 06.2023
Coordinator of Special Education
Contra Costa School of Performing Arts
07.2021 - 08.2022
Integrated Special Education Specialist Lead
Rocketship Public Schools
07.2019 - 06.2021
Assistant Principal
Rocketship Public Schools
07.2018 - 06.2019
Math Intervention Specialist
Mount Diablo Unified School District
08.2017 - 06.2018
Director of Communications
Aspire Public Schools
06.2012 - 07.2017
Instructional Coach
Aspire Public Schools
09.2002 - 06.2011
Classroom Teacher/Lead Teacher K-3
Chicago Public Schools
09.1995 - 06.2002
Auxiliary Operations and Campus Relations
Teacher For America
10.1990 - 09.1993
Education Specialist Credential -
Professional Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential -
Special Education Credential Program -
Loyola Marymount University, Northern CA Cohort
Administrative Services Credential -
Instructional Leadership Program -
Relay Graduate School of Education, East Bay Cohort
Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Supervision -
San Jose State University, Aspire Public Schools Cohort
National Board-Certified Teacher, Early Childhood Generalist -
National Board For Professional Teaching Standards
Master of Science in Education and Social Policy -
Northwestern University, School of Education and Social Policy
Bachelor of Arts in English -
Boston University, College of Liberal Arts
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