Charles Christman
Smyrna
Summary
Dynamic educational leader and retired U.S. Air Force veteran with a proven track record of transforming school systems, enhancing school culture, and designing innovative programs that drive student achievement. Successfully built a Career & Technical Education program from the ground up, preparing students with industry certifications and workforce-ready skills. Currently serving as Student Advisor/Dean, demonstrating strong leadership in school operations, behavioral systems, and crisis management while leveraging data-driven insights to implement proactive interventions that elevate student outcomes. Known for cultivating authentic relationships, leading with integrity, and creating safe, inclusive learning environments where students, staff, and families can thrive.
Overview
1
1
Certification
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Dean of Students/Senior Student Advisor
Smyrna School District
11.2024 - Current
- Managed investigation and resolution of 550+ student discipline incidents, guaranteeing alignment with state and district policies while strengthening ties with students and families.
- Leveraged school-wide discipline data to transform behavioral trends into actionable intervention strategies, identifying 10.3% of students responsible for 80% of discipline referrals, including a small cohort of 11 students with chronic behavioral concerns, each having 10 or more referrals, informing Tier II/III MTSS supports, restorative practices, and proactive administrative decision-making.
- Exhibited exceptional crisis leadership by effectively managing over 25 high-risk student conflicts, multiple behavioral and mental health crises, student elopements, and weapon-related safety incidents utilizing trauma-informed practices, de-escalation techniques, and sound judgment to safeguard students, staff, and the learning environment.
- Enhanced Tier I classroom supports by coaching nearly 50 instructional staff members on behavior management documentation practices, de-escalation strategies, and effective parent communication.
- Led more than a dozen complex parent conferences involving chronic behavioral concerns, restoring trust through transparent communication, collaborative problem-solving, and student-centered intervention planning.
- Developed the R.I.S.E. Student of the Month program to intentionally shift school culture by recognizing students who exemplify Respect, Integrity, Safety, and Excellence, reinforcing positive behaviors and increasing student engagement through meaningful recognition
- Selected for district task force established in response to Delaware Department of Education's directive to assess and improve draft state standardized code of conduct ensuring compliance with state and local policies and integration of comprehensive intervention strategies for statewide rollout
- Provided academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support for a caseload of 7 students, monitoring progress and coordinating interventions to improve student success.
- Built collaborative relationships with parents by facilitating solution-focused communications that emphasized shared responsibility, student accountability, and long-term success.
- Monitored attendance, academic performance, and behavioral indicators to identify at-risk students and coordinate timely interventions with school support teams.
- Developed leadership opportunities that empowered students to model positive behavior, strengthen school connectedness, and contribute to a positive school culture.
- Conducted informal classroom walkthroughs to provide actionable feedback on student engagement, instructional practices, and classroom management.
- Assisted in planning and executing school-wide events, assessments, and operational initiatives while minimizing disruption to instructional time.
Agricultural Power and Engineering Instructor
Capital School District
01.2018 - Current
- Served as panel member in conjunction with local and state officials to complete Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment aimed at enhancing student access, achievement, and equity in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, while supporting the implementation of high-quality CTE programs of study and strengthening the local education and workforce system
- Collaborated with Delaware Department of Education and Agricultural Mechanics educators, representatives, and partners statewide to evaluate and implement recommendations, aligning career and technical pathways more closely with Delaware industry needs
- Key panelist on high-profile statewide initiative addressing educational funding deficiencies for low-income and disadvantaged students; work outlined methods for overhauling State of Delaware educational funding processes/procedures
- Represented Capital School District at Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) convention; researched cutting-edge methods for integrating technology into CTE and general education classrooms, aimed at enhancing curriculum delivery and boosting student engagement
- Pioneered one of first CTE programs to develop curriculum integrating Students Transitioning to Adult Readiness (STAR), liaising with program coordinators and support teachers in establishing safety protocols and overcoming environmental barriers to ensure a safe and equitable learning environment
- Collaborated with National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity as part of a dedicated team to investigate, understand and develop innovative methods for eliminating gender gaps in career and technical fields, promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities for all students
- Forged local industry partnership to establish apprenticeship feeder program, offering students pursuing welding careers valuable opportunities for hands-on experience and skill development
- Developed Agricultural Power and Engineering pathway by leveraging Carl D Perkins federal funding to acquire $200k worth of equipment and consumables
- Led in-depth study identifying key factors contributing to historically low college and career readiness rates, resulting in development/implementation of targeted intervention programs that increased readiness rates by 15%
- Lead facilitator for Freshman Academy Real Talk Sessions; assisted in development of and implemented school-wide expectations while providing mentorship to students to help successfully navigate their first year
- Contributing member on Teacher Instructional Leadership Team (TILT) in developing a comprehensive communications plan post-COVID, facilitating effective information dissemination and stakeholder engagement to support transition back to in-person learning
- Secured partnership with local Fire Department, conducting research and designing unique turnout gear drying rack; reduced dry times from 30 hours to just 4, ensuring volunteer firefighters can swiftly return to action, significantly enhancing operational efficiency and readiness
Executive Program Manager
United States Air Force
06.2015 - 09.2017
- Site Manager for state-of-art, highly secured military infrastructure valued at $30M
- Directly responsible for processing and training 500+ military and civilian personnel in fields of Security, Safety, and Facility Management
- Procured $2M worth of equipment, supplies and services for 250+ military war-fighters based stateside and overseas
- Operations Team Lead for situational training exercises to include active shooter drills, securing physical assets, and crowd control
- Lead Root Cause Analysis 'think-tanks' for faltering military procedures, policies and operations
- Designed workplace safety policies; instructed 500+ military/civilian personnel over 4 days of highly intensive training; workplace mishaps reduced by 85%
- Oversaw multi-million dollar maintenance contracts from conception to completion; provided leadership with detailed reports through all phases
Aircraft Structural Maintenance Lead Technician
United States Air Force
01.2002 - 06.2015
- Led major/minor structural repairs/modifications on 18 C-5 and 13 C-17 assigned aircraft valued at $7.5B
- Conducted on-job training for 165 highly diverse personnel new to military, state, and workcenter
- Created/managed 24/7 employee work schedule; ensured 100% accountability/coverage for scheduled and unscheduled military operations
- Single-handedly designed/implemented flow process for aircraft structural maintenance phase inspections; reduced aircraft downtime by 23 days
- Interpreted engineering specifications, blueprints and repair manuals to establish repair criteria for work center comprised of 75+ military and civilian personnel
- Maintained flawless safety program; adhered to strict OSHA laws, policies and procedures; resulted in 0 workplace mishaps over 2yr program
- Successfully accomplished over 20,000 structural repairs on more than 100 different military aircraft with impeccable results
- Led multiple overseas mission recovery teams; resulted in safe return of nearly $20B worth of assets and countless lives
Education
Trauma And Resilience - Education
Wilmington University
Wilmington, DE05-2026
Students With Disabilities K12 - Education
Wilmington University
New Castle, DE06-2025
Master's in Education - School Leadership
Wilmington University
Wilmington, Delaware02-2024
Associate of Science - Airframe Technology and Repair
Community College of the Air Force
Montgomery, Alabama06-2014
Bachelor of Science - Professional Aeronautics
Wilmington University
Wilmington, Delaware05-2008
Skills
- Strategic Leadership
- Data-Driven Decision Making
- School Culture & Climate
- Crisis Management/De-escalation
- Staff Coaching and Development
- Instructional Leadership
- Restorative Practices
- Family & Community Engagement
- Continuous Improvement/Systems Thinking
- MTSS & PBIS Leadership
Accomplishments
- Dover High School Teacher of the Year, 2022, Capital School District/Dover High School
- Lieutenant General Leo Marquez Maintenance Technician/Supervisor of the Year, United States Air Force
- Non-commissioned Officer of the Year, United States Air Force
- Non-commissioned Officer of the Quarter, 3, United States Air Force
- Squadron Top Performer Award, 6, United States Air Force
- Air Force Commendation Medal, United States Air Force
- Air Force Achievement Medal, 2, United States Air Force
- Air Force Good Conduct Medal, 4, United States Air Force
Certification
- Standard Teaching License
- School Leadership License
- Inspection Systems
Timeline
Dean of Students/Senior Student Advisor
Smyrna School District
11.2024 - Current
Agricultural Power and Engineering Instructor
Capital School District
01.2018 - Current
Executive Program Manager
United States Air Force
06.2015 - 09.2017
Aircraft Structural Maintenance Lead Technician
United States Air Force
01.2002 - 06.2015
Bachelor of Science - Professional Aeronautics
Wilmington University
Associate of Science - Airframe Technology and Repair
Community College of the Air Force
Master's in Education - School Leadership
Wilmington University
Trauma And Resilience - Education
Wilmington University
Students With Disabilities K12 - Education
Wilmington University