Chris Backman
Spokane,WA
Summary
Enthusiastic Principal versed in preparing annual school budgets and implementing improvements to reduce costs. Ambitious with career success building strong, effective teams of inspired educators and support staff. Over 20 years of experience in academic landscape, with expertise in Inclusion Practices and Social Emotional Learning.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal
Mead School District, Meadow Ridge Elementary
Spokane, WA
07.2017 - 06.2022
- Trained teachers on effective teaching techniques, classroom management strategies and behavior modification.
- Oversaw schedule management and protocols for orientation, registration and related activities.
- Cultivated positive relationships between community members, school students and teachers.
- Established positive, stimulating learning environment for students and exciting education-focused setting for teachers.
- Held pivotal role in school being selected as Demonstration Site for Inclusion Practices from University of Washington Haring Center (one of only two elementary schools selected in first year of program)
- Demonstrated in-depth skills in developing and implementing district and region recognized PBIS (positive behavior and intervention support) program, resulting in student behavior data consistently exceeding program expectations
- Designed and implemented school-wide Response to Intervention program, resulting in significant improvements in student reading scores, particularly for most at-risk students
- Provided in-depth mentorship of two principal interns with focus on developing their leadership skills, resulting in each intern successfully obtaining administrative position after their internship
- Established instructional practices driven through statistical performance data. as Principal for District’s Virtual Program, serving 1000 students while supervising 49 teachers via Zoom, 2020 – 2021
Operations Manager
Backman Properties, LLC
Tacoma, WA
05.2004 - 01.2014
- Devised and deployed sales and marketing tactics to drive strategic growth and support achievement of revenue goals.
- Put together realistic budgets based upon costs and fees for successfully operating business.
- Served as principal stakeholder over organization's complete operations.
- Maintained sufficient number of units market-ready for lease, while increasing profit margins significantly each year.
- Completed final move-out walk-throughs with tenants to identify required repairs.
- Introduced prospective tenants to types of units available and performed tours of premises.
- Minimized vacancy periods to strategize improvements to marketing initiatives, business plans and tenant outreach programs.
Principal
University Place School District, Evergreen Primary School
University Place, WA
07.2013 - 06.2017
- Successfully managed and oversaw operations of PK – 4th grade school with 500+ students and 34 certificated and 20 classified staff members (44% of students on free or reduced lunch programs)
- Held instrumental role in school being recognized by OSPI with Washington Achievement Awards (Awarded for High Progress, for being in top 10% of schools making most progress in reading and math combined performance, 2013; 2014; 2015); (Outpaced state results on SBAC performance, by 9.1% in 3rd grade reading, by 13.5% in 3rd grade math, by 17.4% in 4th grade reading, and by 23.8% in 4th grade math, 2015); (Drove MSP results over state averages in following areas: 3rd grade reading (16.2%) and math (13.5%); 4th grade reading (9.8%) and math (19.8%), 2014)
- Implemented staff professional development centered on research-based best practices, resulting in significantly improved lesson design and increased use of high yield instructional strategies
- Successfully facilitated adoption of two new reading curricula (Read Well for Kindergarten and 1st grade and Core Knowledge Language Arts in 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades)
- Provided in-depth support for development of Close Read materials and protocols into all grade levels (K-4)
- Demonstrated optimal skills in collaborating with district leadership to implement tuition-free All Day Kindergarten program
- Implemented Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS), resulting in 98% of students being recognized for positive behavior
- Developed Child Study Team (CST) approach to identify students in need of additional support, reducing Special Education referrals by 1/3 and improving classroom implemented interventions for students
- Successfully partnered with PTSA with focus on increasing number of family events and activities such as Back to School BBQ, New Family Orientation and Science Fair.
Principal
Quincy School District, Monument Elementary School
Quincy, WA
07.2011 - 06.2013
- Oversaw schedule management and protocols for orientation, registration and related activities for over 600 students.
- Trained 30 teachers on effective teaching techniques, classroom management strategies and behavior modification.
- Cultivated positive relationships between community members, school students and teachers.
- Mentored newly hired educators and provided encouragement and feedback.
Assistant Principal
First Creek Middle School
Tacoma, WA
07.2010 - 06.2011
- Built and maintained positive relationships with diverse stakeholders, such as parents, school volunteers and outside agencies.
- Monitored student behavior and enforced discipline policies, decreasing discipline referrals by 15% in one year.
- Performed classroom evaluations to assess teacher strategies and effectiveness.
- Partnered with Principal to administer school program in alignment with vision and goals, providing positive, high-expectation academic environment.
District Administrator
Guidance and Counseling
Tacoma, WA
09.2005 - 06.2010
- Supervised 75 school counselors across 57 school sites.
- Facilitated Crisis Response Team, supporting schools during traumatic events such as staff or student deaths.
- Prepared and implemented strategic growth plans for department based on district goals and expectations.
- Hired, supervised and coached 75 employees on effective strategies to optimize performance.
- Collaborated with upper management to implement continuous improvements and exceed team goals.
- Coordinated staff meetings to discuss developmental strategy, best practices and process improvements.
Education
School Leadership (Principal Certificate) -
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, WA06.2008
Master of Education - School Counseling
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, WA06.2002
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA05.1999
Skills
- Data Analysis
- School Culture
- Communication
- Learning & Inclusion
- Relationship Building
- Project Management
- Budget Development
- Instructional Leadership
- Coaching & Mentoring
- Program Development
- Community Partnerships
- Curriculum Planning & Implementation
- Professional Development Planning
- Student Performance Data Analysis
- Operational Budgets Preparation
- Google Drive and Classroom
- School Improvements Planning
- Grant Proposals
- Student Counseling
- Instructional Methods Development
- Mission Statement Development
- Staffing Estimates
- Educational Staff Supervision
- School Administration
- Positive Learning Environment
- Behavior Standards
- Common Core Learning Standards
- Learning Assessments
- Standardized Test Results Review
- Instructional Techniques
- Educational Strategies
- Safety and Security Procedures
- Staff Guidance
- Policy and Procedure Adherence
- Google Calendar
- Data-Driven Instruction
- School Community Relations
- School Event Coordination
- Positive Interactions
- Student Achievement
- Academic Administration
- Group Facilitation and Presentations
- Positive Reinforcement Strategies
- New Student Orientation
- Employee Performance Evaluations
- School Logistics Programs Oversight
- Parent Meetings
- Business Management
- Needs Assessment
Accomplishments
Awarded Demonstration Site for Inclusive Practices from the University of Washington Haring Center (one of only two elementary schools selected in the first year of the program).
Washington State School Counselor of the Year, 2008
Demonstrated in-depth skills in developing and implementing a district and region recognized PBIS (positive behavior and intervention support) program, resulting in student behavior data consistently exceeding program expectations.
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Quote
Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers.
Voltaire
Timeline
Principal
Mead School District, Meadow Ridge Elementary
07.2017 - 06.2022
Principal
University Place School District, Evergreen Primary School
07.2013 - 06.2017
Principal
Quincy School District, Monument Elementary School
07.2011 - 06.2013
Assistant Principal
First Creek Middle School
07.2010 - 06.2011
District Administrator
Guidance and Counseling
09.2005 - 06.2010
Operations Manager
Backman Properties, LLC
05.2004 - 01.2014
School Leadership (Principal Certificate) -
Seattle Pacific University
Master of Education - School Counseling
Seattle Pacific University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Pacific Lutheran University
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