Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
LEADERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
CORE LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES
Timeline
Generic

CELESTE SPEARS ELLIS

Apopka,FL

Summary

Accomplished educational leader with more than 30 years of experience in K–12 education, including 22 years in school leadership and 18 years as an elementary principal. Proven record of leading school improvement through instructional leadership, collaborative decision-making, strategic planning, and continuous improvement. Experienced in recruiting, developing, supervising, and evaluating educators while fostering positive school cultures that support student achievement and professional growth. Skilled in using multiple sources of data to guide instructional decisions, monitor progress, strengthen organizational effectiveness, and build meaningful partnerships with families, universities, and community organizations.

Overview

21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Assistant Principal

Orange County Public Schools
Orlando, Florida
08.2024 - Current
  • Led joint efforts with principal to develop and execute initiatives aimed at promoting student success and strengthening school community.
  • Conducted collaborative assessments with principal to refine and monitor school improvement plan, utilizing student achievement, attendance, behavior, and climate data to inform educational decisions.
  • Conducted classroom observations and delivered performance feedback to enhance instructional quality and support personnel development.
  • Facilitated recruitment processes, conducted interviews, managed onboarding, and provided mentorship to ensure retention of highly qualified employees while promoting a collaborative work environment.
  • Coordinated assessment data progress-monitoring cycles within professional learning communities to foster instructional improvement and elevate student performance.
  • Led efforts to implement multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) by working closely with instructional teams to evaluate student needs and optimize intervention effectiveness.
  • Oversaw comprehensive school operations, integrating safety planning, crisis management, scheduling, and compliance to enhance collaboration with families and community stakeholders.
  • Led the implementation and continuous refinement of schoolwide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), using behavior data to monitor effectiveness, strengthen positive school culture, and reduce disciplinary referrals by more than 10 percent.

Principal

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Charlotte, North Carolina
01.2006 - 01.2024
  • Provided instructional, operational, and organizational leadership for elementary schools while cultivating collaborative learning communities focused on continuous improvement and high expectations for all students.
  • Recruited, interviewed, hired, supervised, evaluated, coached, and retained more than 60 instructional and support employees, building leadership capacity through ongoing feedback, mentoring, and professional learning.
  • Led development, implementation, and monitoring of School Improvement Plans through analysis of student achievement, attendance, behavior, and school climate data, using continuous improvement cycles to improve teaching, learning, and organizational effectiveness.
  • Guided Professional Learning Communities that used collaborative inquiry, assessment data, and evidence-based instructional practices to strengthen teacher effectiveness and improve student outcomes.
  • Designed and monitored systems for curriculum implementation, assessment, intervention, enrichment, and MTSS to ensure equitable access to high-quality instruction and responsive student support.
  • Managed employee relations through coaching, performance improvement, conflict resolution, and implementation of district policies while fostering a culture of trust, accountability, and professional growth.
  • Partnered with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to provide clinical experiences for prospective teachers by pairing teacher candidates with master teachers, strengthening the district's educator pipeline.
  • Established a partnership with Heart Math Tutoring to expand individualized mathematics intervention through trained community volunteers, increasing support for students needing targeted instruction.
  • Led implementation of the Family Instructional Team (FIT) model, strengthening partnerships between families and teachers and earning recognition from the State of North Carolina as a FIT School.
  • Directed school operations, including budgeting, staffing, scheduling, facilities, safety planning, crisis response, compliance, and resource management to ensure safe, effective, and student-centered learning environments.

Education

Master of Arts - School Administration

University of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education

University of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

Skills

  • Data & Assessment: Microsoft Excel, Power BI, Performance Matters, STAR Assessments, mCLASS/DIBELS, NWEA MAP
  • Student Information Systems: Skyward, PowerSchool
  • Instructional Programs: Lexia, Amira, IXL, SuccessMaker
  • Learning Platforms: Canvas, ClassLink
  • Productivity & Collaboration: Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Webex
  • Communication: ParentSquare, TalkingPoints, Remind
  • Human Resources & Operations: Frontline, SAP, Faciltron
  • Artificial Intelligence: Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, Google Gemini

Accomplishments

  • Increased reading and mathematics proficiency by more than 10 percent.
  • Earned Title I Reward School recognition for three consecutive years based on academic achievement and student growth.
  • Recognized as a North Carolina Model PBIS School.
  • Recognized by the State of North Carolina as a Family Instructional Team (FIT) School for exemplary family engagement and instructional partnerships.
  • Improved student achievement while reducing chronic absenteeism and student suspensions.
  • Developed university and community partnerships that strengthened the educator pipeline and expanded targeted academic support for students.

Certification

  • Florida Professional Educator Certificate
  • Educational Leadership (All Levels)
  • Elementary Education (Grades K–6)
  • North Carolina Professional Educator's License
  • School Administrator: Principal
  • Curriculum Instructional Specialist
  • Elementary Education (K–6)

LEADERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • 30+ Years in K–12 Education
  • 22 Years in School Leadership
  • 18 Years as Elementary Principal
  • Increased Reading & Mathematics Achievement by 10%+
  • Title I Reward School (Three Consecutive Years)
  • North Carolina Model PBIS School
  • North Carolina Family Instructional Team (FIT) School
  • Supervised, Evaluated & Developed 60+ Employees

CORE LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

  • Instructional Leadership
  • School Improvement Planning
  • Strategic Planning
  • Staff Supervision, Evaluation & Coaching
  • Recruitment, Hiring & Employee Development
  • Data Analysis & Progress Monitoring
  • Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
  • Professional Learning Communities
  • Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
  • School Culture & Climate
  • Employee Relations
  • Family & Community Partnerships
  • Operational Leadership
  • School Safety
  • Educational Technology

Timeline

Assistant Principal

Orange County Public Schools
08.2024 - Current

Principal

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
01.2006 - 01.2024

Master of Arts - School Administration

University of North Carolina At Charlotte

Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education

University of North Carolina At Charlotte