CATHY PROZANSKI

Dynamic and enthusiastic student-centered education professional with extensive experience in instructional leadership and a deep commitment to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning environment for all students, families, and staff. Adept at collecting, extracting, and utilizing data to identify gaps and opportunities in instruction and facilitate improved achievement outcomes. Possess strong pedagogical knowledge and skills. Grant writing and project management experience; skilled at maximizing time and budgetary resources as well as strategic planning and problem-solving. Committed to promoting active engagement, collaboration, team building, cohesiveness, and personal growth for all staff. Proven ability to successfully direct and implement district and building-level change initiatives. Exceptional communicator, with the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders.

• Collaborated with parents of color to foster stronger connections and increase engagement with the school community through the Parent Ambassadors Program. This resulted in over 97% of incoming 4K students and families establishing direct contact with their teacher and/or other classmates and their families before the start of the school year.
• Wisconsin School of Merit Award, Wisconsin PBIS Network, 06/12
• Wisconsin School of Promise Award, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 06/12
• Participate in the Wisconsin Urban Leadership Institute, an ongoing collaboration among the largest urban school districts in the state, whose purpose is to empower school leaders to identify educational inequities for students of color, implement strategies to address them, and ultimately institute positive systemic change.
• Implemented professional development training on LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) to help teachers gain hands-on skills and tools in literacy instruction they can apply in the classroom.
• Co-chaired the district Preschool Curriculum Committee, whose purpose was to facilitate the development, revision, maintenance, and improvement of the preschool curriculum in alignment with district and state standards.
• Partnered with the United Way and school district on a grant-funded, mental health pilot program that brought community counselors into the building to provide individual counseling for students in need. The counselors also served as a resource for teachers regarding a variety of mental health issues impacting students.
• Received the Wisconsin School of Recognition Award (for 10 consecutive years) for closing the achievement gap for economically disadvantaged students.
• Piloted 'The Best Screener' tool for the district to help teachers quickly assess and identify mental health concerns of their students and provide appropriate interventions.

• Wisconsin School of Promise Award, Wisconsin Department of Instruction, 06/16
• Wisconsin School of Merit Award PBIS, Wisconsin PBIS Network, 06/15
• Wisconsin School of Promise Award, Wisconsin Department of Instruction, 06/15
• Wisconsin School of Merit Award, Wisconsin PBIS Network, 06/14
• Wisconsin School of Promise Award, Wisconsin Department of Instruction, 06/14
• Wisconsin School of Distinction Award PBIS, Wisconsin PBIS Network, 06/13
• Wisconsin School of Promise Award, Wisconsin Department of Instruction, 06/13

• Advisory Board Member, Big Oak Child Care Center, Madison, WI, 01/19 - 12/21
• Community Partner, United Way, Wausau, WI, 01/12 - 12/18

• Shared Vision and Leadership: create a shared vision with stakeholders, provide opportunities for input and leadership within the district.
• Utilize restorative circles to facilitate conversations, build community, and resolve conflicts.
• Budget Management: operating a zero based budget, Title 1 budgets, and determining district and school allocations.
• Human Resources: including hiring and removal of staff, creating postings for the recruitment process, managing the Educator Effectiveness system, coaching, experience with the implementation of plans of assistance, supporting the health and wellness of all staff.
• Communication: internal and external communication that is timely and clear.
• Implementation of a science of reading researched based literacy curriculum.