Charise Powell
Columbia Heights,MN
Summary
Licensed educational leader with an equity-driven approach, dedicated to cultivating inclusive learning communities. Emphasizes fostering a positive classroom culture, building community connections, and promoting a growth mindset. Committed to achieving academic excellence while nurturing students' social and emotional development, empowering them to develop critical consciousness for meaningful engagement and positive change in the world. Passionate about creating environments where every student can thrive and contribute to a better future.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Director
Global Academy
New Brighton, MN
07.2022 - Current
- PYP Coordinator
- Establish and maintain high academic standards
- Supervise K-8 grade level teams as well as STEAM, Arabic and PE
- Provide oversight and direction for the elementary curriculum based on the ideas of the International Baccalaureate Programme
- Creative positive rapport with students
- Created new middle school program
- Help students learn to be independent and regulate their behaviors
- Communicate effectively and positively with parents
- Lead and plan for grade level meetings
- Analyze, plan, and respond to student data on a daily basis
- Lead staff development with focus on equity, restorative justice
- Creative positive rapport with students and families
- Provide oversight and leadership in supporting 8th graders to prepare for high school
- Lead and plan for weekly collaborative meetings
- Oversaw curriculum development processes, ensuring alignment with educational standards and best practices.
- Model attributes of life-long learner
- Teach as needed
Assistant Principal, Lyndale Community School
Minneapolis Public Schools
Minneapolis, MN
07.2019 - 06.2022
- Communicate regularly with staff to identify and address individual student needs and barriers
- Hold staff accountable for achieving ambitious, measurable standards of academic achievement
- Facilitating and planning for quarterly Data Dives for PK-5
- Collaborate with the school Principal to achieve our School Improvement goals for each academic year
- Develop a vision for equitable results; set aligned short and long term goals to ensure achievement for all students
- Frequently observe instruction, review student data and work, and provide effective feedback and coaching on instructional practices
- Created and led affinity groups within our site
- Participant in Equity Team (made of up several administrators within the District)
- Advance school district policies, procedures, and initiatives in pursuit of transformative change within the school
- Co-lead the staff through professional development based on anti-racist theory and identity development
- Coach and lead grades 3-5, Specialists, EL Team, ESPs, Special Education staff
- Organize and schedule time in alignment with instructional goals
- Coordinate and document Title 1 funding for the school
- Testing coordinator for all state and district assessments
- Device distribution and organization coordinator for all students
Coordinator, MN Statewide Family Engagement Project
PACER Center
Bloomington, MN
12.2018 - 06.2019
- Collaborate with MN Department of Education, LEAs, charter schools, and other stakeholders to promote and increase family engagement in education
- Develop and present workshops for families on working with their children’s school
- Coordinate a thorough evaluation of all activities and outcomes
- Provide trainings and technical assistance for school staff on family engagement strategies
- Support and develop a group of family advocates
- Coordinated over a dozen training sessions for parents and educators on disability rights and advocacy strategies.
- Developed and maintained resource materials to support families in navigating special education services.
Dean of Students
Hiawatha Leadership Academy
Minneapolis, MN
07.2018 - 12.2018
- Develop, implement professional development for all staff that supports school’s mission and equity vision
- Implement and manage support structures for student success
- Manage systems, data, and communication around student discipline
- Coach K-4 staff on classroom culture, restorative practices, Responsive Classroom strategies, etc.
- Coach a group of staff members on curriculum planning, classroom culture, etc.
- Developed and implemented student support programs to enhance academic success and well-being.
- Facilitated conflict resolution processes among students, promoting a positive school culture.
Equity Lead (Campus and network)
Hiawatha Leadership Academy
Minneapolis, MN
08.2014 - 12.2018
- Develop differentiated professional development sessions for all-staff (network)
- Train staff members to deliver content
- Consistent communication with stakeholders about
- Develop, implement, and monitor programs rooted in inclusivity
- Work with various stakeholders (staff, students, families, network support team, etc.) to assess curriculum, policies, and systems for equitable outcome
- Resources for staff and family on issues of equity in the classroom and in self-work
- Analyze discipline data for disparities and act accordingly for equitable outcomes
School Board Member
Hiawatha Leadership Academy
Minneapolis, MN
08.2016 - 06.2018
- Support and review the performance of the Executive Director
- Ensure resources are adequate and are managed effectively
- Determine, monitor, and strengthen programs and services
- Establish policies to guide the school’s board members and staff
Grade Team Lead/Campus Leadership Team (CLT) Member
Hiawatha Leadership Academy
Minneapolis, MN
08.2015 - 06.2018
- Inform whole-school decision-making by providing representative input
- Analyze whole school math and literacy data for planning purposes (grade-level and school-wide)
- Coach a team of 5 educators
- Foster a welcoming environment for the team and the school as a member of CLT
- Led team to implement curriculum changes, enhancing student engagement and academic performance.
- Coordinated staff training sessions, improving instructional techniques and classroom management.
Founding 2nd, Founding 3rd, Founding 4th Grade Teacher
Hiawatha Leadership Academy
Minneapolis, MN
08.2014 - 06.2018
- Work as an individual and in a team, utilizing CCSS and MN State Standards to create original lesson plans for writing, reading, math, guided reading, and social studies
- Administer assessments (MCA, OLPA, MAP, Interims, STEP, ACCESS)
- Create a positive, culturally responsive learning environment for 26 students; 19 ELL
- Attend meetings and events such as Data Days, PDD, Conferences, ELD, O3s
- Provide frequent communication with parents
- Analyze data (math and literacy) for planning purposes
K-4 Literacy Coach
Hiawatha Leadership Academy
Minneapolis, MN
08.2015 - 06.2017
- Develop and facilitate K-4 professional development for literacy teachers across the network
- Coach K-4 literacy teachers around; curriculum development, planning, implementation, etc.
- Analyzed K-4 literacy data (MAP, STEP, MCA)
3rd Grade Teacher
Urban Academy Charter School
St. Paul, MN
08.2013 - 06.2014
- Work as an individual and closely with team member(s) utilizing MN State Standards to create and enhance lesson plans for core subject areas.
- Create a positive, culturally responsive learning environment for 22 students
- Attend meetings and events such as PLC Meetings, Team Meetings, IEP Meetings, PDD, Fall/Spring Conferences, Math Night, Reading Night, MEA Workshops.
- Lead Chair for Character Education Committee.
- Provide daily, weekly, monthly communication with all parents.
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards.
Education
Specialist degree - K-12 Educational Leadership
Minnesota State University
Edina, MN07-2018
Graduate certificate - Culturally Responsive Teaching
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota08-2015
Master of Science - Teaching
The College of St. Scholastica
St. Paul, Minnesota12-2012
Bachelor of Arts - Literature/Creative Writing
Southwest Minnesota State University
Marshall, Minnesota05-2008
Skills
- Staff management
- Creative direction
- Strategic planning
- Data analysis
- Staff development
- Project management
- Employee relations
- Problem-solving
- Organizational skills
- Computer skills
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Multitasking
- Attention to detail
- Customer service
- Documentation and reporting
- Decision-making
Certification
- SVP Fellow, 2021-01-01
- Catalyst, 2022-01-01
- Courageous Leadership, 2021-01-01
- Wallace Principal Pipeline, 2020-01-01
- Frontlines of justice, 2020-01-01
- SOEI, 2019-08-01
- CPI, 2018-09-01
- EnVoy, 2018-08-01
- Responsive Classroom, 2013-07-01
Timeline
Assistant Director
Global Academy
07.2022 - Current
Assistant Principal, Lyndale Community School
Minneapolis Public Schools
07.2019 - 06.2022
Coordinator, MN Statewide Family Engagement Project
PACER Center
12.2018 - 06.2019
Dean of Students
Hiawatha Leadership Academy
07.2018 - 12.2018
School Board Member
Hiawatha Leadership Academy
08.2016 - 06.2018
Grade Team Lead/Campus Leadership Team (CLT) Member
Hiawatha Leadership Academy
08.2015 - 06.2018
K-4 Literacy Coach
Hiawatha Leadership Academy
08.2015 - 06.2017
Equity Lead (Campus and network)
Hiawatha Leadership Academy
08.2014 - 12.2018
Founding 2nd, Founding 3rd, Founding 4th Grade Teacher
Hiawatha Leadership Academy
08.2014 - 06.2018
3rd Grade Teacher
Urban Academy Charter School
08.2013 - 06.2014
Graduate certificate - Culturally Responsive Teaching
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Master of Science - Teaching
The College of St. Scholastica
Bachelor of Arts - Literature/Creative Writing
Southwest Minnesota State University
Specialist degree - K-12 Educational Leadership
Minnesota State University
Acknowledgements And Awards
- 2019-02-01, Graduated from LEAP Program (Educators in Politics) through E4E
- 2018-04-01, Participant in discussion with Secretary DeVos in Washington, DC
- 2018-04-01, Published in 'The Hill'
- 2016-04-01, WCCO 'Excellent Educator' certificate
- 2016-03-01, MinnPost interview