Cheryl Poitra

Self-motivated school administrator with an assertive and outcome-driven nature. Independent worker remains extremely calm in most pressure situations. Skilled educator with over 10 years of experience leading school staff members and education programs.

• K-12 Principal, Circle of Life Academy, 07/2022, Present, Monitored and evaluated educational programs to maintain high-quality performance objectives and standards., Worked with staff on integrating cultural aspects into their current curriculum., Performed classroom evaluations to assess teacher strategies and effectiveness., Managed all details regarding student discipline., Developed a behavioral pathway that identifies student needs and pairs them with wrap around services from within the community., Worked with team to develop a more culturally integrated approach to working with students., Modeled expected and appropriate leadership to promote teaching staff and administrative personnel’s positive interaction with students and families., Defined and enforced student academic achievement standards in line with district goals and objectives., Encouraged interdepartmental and cross-functional teams’ collaboration in development and support of student activities, programs, and lessons., Established positive, stimulating learning environment for students and exciting education focused setting for teachers., Built productive relationships with parents of students facing difficult situations at school or at home., Facilitated continued education for teaching staff through implementation of quality curriculum training and appropriation of necessary resources., Trained teachers on effective teaching techniques, classroom management strategies and behavior modification.
• Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of North Dakota, 08/2020, 07/2022, Worked with instructors at the University of North that are teaching undergraduate courses to students that are going into education., Assisted in various courses related to Educational Technology, Development and Education of the Adolescent, and Assessment in the Elementary Classroom.
• Middle School Principal, Warwick School District, 08/2017, 06/2021, Monitored and evaluated educational programs to maintain high-quality performance objectives and standards., Performed classroom evaluations to assess teacher strategies and effectiveness., Managed all details regarding student discipline., Modeled expected and appropriate leadership to promote teaching staff and administrative personnel’s positive interaction with students and families., Defined and enforced student academic achievement standards in line with district goals and objectives., Built productive relationships with parents of students facing difficult situations at school or at home., Facilitated continued education for teaching staff through implementation of quality curriculum training and appropriation of necessary resources., Set high academic standards and implemented innovative strategies., Collaborated with teachers to enhance curriculum and instruction., Drove school performance by focusing on student achievement.
• Middle School Principal, Circle of Nations School, 08/2015, 06/2017, Assisted in the modifications on a current grant to better meet the needs of our students. Added in STEM camps and a trip to Washington DC., Established instructional practices driven by statistical performance data., Led meetings to convey policy changes, gather information and assess employee thoughts., Encouraged interdepartmental and cross-functional teams’ collaboration in development and support of student activities, programs, and lessons., Supported human resources operations, including hiring, training, disciplinary action and termination in compliance with legal guidelines and requirements., Communicated policies and procedures to students and parents regarding student behavior.
• K-12 Principal, Bugonaygeshig School District, 08/2013, 05/2015, Brought in professional development in math and literacy., Established instructional practices driven by statistical performance data., Led meetings to convey policy changes, gather information and assess employee thoughts., Encouraged interdepartmental and cross-functional teams’ collaboration in development and support of student activities, programs, and lessons., Supported human resources operations, including hiring, training, disciplinary action, and termination in compliance with legal guidelines and requirements., Communicated policies and procedures to students and parents regarding student behavior., Created a network of support services throughout the Cass Lake reservations and surrounding communities.

• Instructional Coach, Flandreau Indian Boarding School, 12/2011, 01/2013, Monitored and evaluated educational assessments used within the school., Performed walk-throughs to assess teacher strategies and effectiveness., Defined and enforced student academic achievement standards in line with district goals and objectives., Encouraged interdepartmental and cross-functional teams’ collaboration in development and support of student activities, programs, and lessons., Established positive, stimulating learning environment for students and exciting education focused setting for teachers., Facilitated continued education for teaching staff through implementation of quality curriculum training and appropriation of necessary resources., Trained teachers on effective teaching techniques, classroom management strategies and behavior modification.
• School Improvement Coordinator, Four Winds High School, 08/2008, 06/2011, Monitored and evaluated educational assessments used within the school., Performed walk-throughs to assess teacher strategies and effectiveness., Defined and enforced student academic achievement standards in line with district goals and objectives., Encouraged interdepartmental and cross-functional teams’ collaboration in development and support of student activities, programs, and lessons., Established positive, stimulating learning environment for students and exciting education focused setting for teachers., Facilitated continued education for teaching staff through implementation of quality curriculum training and appropriation of necessary resources., Trained teachers on effective teaching techniques, classroom management strategies and behavior modification.
• Full-time Substitute Teacher, San Felipe/Cochiti School Systems, 08/2007, 05/2008
• Literacy Director, Four Winds School District, 08/2006, 06/2007, Monitored and evaluated educational assessments used within the school., Performed walk-throughs to assess teacher strategies and effectiveness., Defined and enforced student academic achievement standards in line with district goals and objectives., Trained 2 literacy coaches on each level., Encouraged interdepartmental and cross-functional teams’ collaboration in development and support of student activities, programs, and lessons., Established positive, stimulating learning environment for students and exciting education focused setting for teachers., Facilitated continued education for teaching staff through implementation of quality curriculum training and appropriation of necessary resources., Trained teachers on effective teaching techniques, classroom management strategies and behavior modification.
• 6th Grade Teacher, Tate Topa, 08/2003, 05/2005, Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to facilitate and moderate classroom discussions and student-centered learning., Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies., Incorporated exciting and engaging activities to reinforce student participation and hands-on learning., Held conferences with parents to address questions, discuss academic progress and encourage learning goals., Developed and implemented lesson plans that addressed general students as well as those with individualized 504 plans as part of integrated classroom., Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement., Directed after-school tutoring and mentoring program serving middle school students., Implemented and encouraged debate-style classroom environment to increase student engagement and promote critical thinking., Graded and evaluated student assignments, paper, and coursework.

• Dr. Sheryl Houdek, Sherryl.houdek@und.edu, 701-777-3577
• Dean Dauphinais, Dean.Dauphinais@k12.nd.us, 701-351-9354
• Kristine Manning, Kristine.manning@col.pvt.k12.mn.us, 218-841-8764
• Erin Warck May, Erick.warck-may@col.pvt.k12.mn.us, 218-261-0867
• Cindy Bunker, Cindy.bunker@col.pvt.k12.mn.us, 218-261-1501

• Strengthening k-12 education in youth
• Curriculum development, mapping, and alignment
• Special Education
• Multi-Tiered in Literacy, Math, and Behavior
• Literacy Development
• Educational Leadership
• Utilizing Assessments to drive instruction
• The impacts of trauma on our students

I love reading for both pleasure and work related.  I am always searching for literature that will help me close the gaps within the system that I'm currently working in.