CHRISTOPHER R. TILLSON
Norfolk,Virginia
Summary
Seasoned Middle School Director with a background in leading dynamic educational programs. Skilled at fostering inclusive environments, encouraging academic success and promoting staff collaboration. Significant experience in curriculum development, parent relations, and student discipline. Noteworthy for driving positive change and continuous improvement within middle school settings.
Overview
1
1
Certification
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Middle School
Norfolk Collegiate School
Norfolk, Virginia
07.2022 - Current
- Managed 15-20 faculty and staff and 100+ students.
- Planned and carried out middle school conferences and outreach programs.
- Observed faculty and coached classroom expectations and guidelines.
- Developed late and missing work policy for grades 6-8 to improve student accountability.
- Communicated regularly with faculty, staff, students, and parents.
- Kept current on educational trends and encouraged faculty adoption.
- Recruited and hired highly qualified faculty and staff.
- Led student leadership committee meetings to promote student engagement and collaboration.
- Attended board meetings and submitted quarterly board report.
- Organized a middle school belonging conference to enhance community and inclusivity among students.
- Developed and implemented a middle school Oaks Out and About program.
- Contributed to senior leadership team meetings by sharing insights and recommendations that shaped school-wide initiatives.
- Supervised student discipline, attendance, and daily behavior expectations.
- Communicated with parents about student progress and school concerns.
- Conducted faculty meetings to discuss educational strategies and supported teacher development initiatives.
- Facilitated class scheduling to enhance student learning opportunities, events, and middle school calendar planning.
- Reviewed student records and guided academic intervention decisions.
- Partnered with school leadership on policies, procedures, and program improvements.
- Oversaw budgeting processes for the middle school and worked closely with administrators to allocate resources efficiently.
- Ensured compliance with all laws, regulations, policies, procedures related to middle school operations.
- Addressed concerns from students or families regarding academic performance or disciplinary matters.
- Created systems for tracking student progress throughout the year and identified areas of need or opportunity.
- Built and nurtured relationships with parents, community members, and stakeholders to support effective program implementation.
- Engaged in community activities to strengthen school partnerships such as parent-teacher conferences or open houses designed to engage the community.
- Facilitated communication between teachers, parents, students, administration teams, and other stakeholders.
- Provided leadership and guidance to faculty to foster a positive learning environment.
Upper school Dean
Norfolk Collegiate School
Norfolk, Virginia
07.2018 - 07.2022
- Developed and implemented the upper school LEAP program
- Oversee the upper school advisory program
- Monitor students' academic and social progress with the upper school head and counselor
- Supervised student activities, fostering engagement and participation across all grade levels.
- Organized and executed end-of-year events, including graduation, which enhanced community celebration and student experience.
- Develop new student orientation and grade level team building activities
- Chaired the schools COVID response team and schools reopening committee
- Revised student, parent, and faculty handbooks to ensure clarity and alignment with school policies.
- Attended weekly staff meetings and led monthly faculty meetings.
- Read admissions files, attend admissions meetings and interview students for the school's merit scholarships
- Assisted with the school's five-year accreditation
- Contributed to DEIB initiatives aimed at enhancing student inclusivity
Head boys' varsity tennis coach
Norfolk Collegiate School
Norfolk, Virginia
03.2025 - Current
- Organized match play and lineup selections for school competition.
- Planned tennis practices for Norfolk Collegiate School student-athletes.
- Reinforced sportsmanship standards during Norfolk Collegiate athletics events.
- Communicated team updates with students, families, and athletics staff.
Assistant Principal of Students
Charlottesville Catholic School
Charlottesville, Virginia
07.2016 - 07.2018
- Implemented discipline policies across all grade levels to maintain order
- Managed Middle School merit/demerit system to uphold student accountability and promote a positive school culture
- Fostered collaborative relationships with parents, students, and faculty to enhance community engagement and support student success
- Developed Middle School advisory program
- Implemented the Bring-your-own-device program for the Middle School
- Lead school assemblies and planned all school service day
- Revised the student, parent, and faculty handbooks
- Interviewed and hired new employees
- Directed After Care program, ensuring safe and enriching environment for students after school hours
- Worked with parents and Middle School students to plan social events
- Observed and provided feedback for teachers
Athletic Director
Charlottesville Catholic School
Charlottesville, Virginia
07.2016 - 07.2018
- Collaborated on developing an athletic budget to align resources with program goals
- Scheduled athletic matches and practices to ensure effective use of facilities and time
- Hired coaches for volleyball, basketball and cross country
- Recruited and hired referees for athletic events
- Coordinated transportation arrangements for athletes to events
- Procured uniforms and coaching gear for sports teams
- Revised athletic handbook to clarify rules and expectations for students, coaches, and parents to provide clear guidelines for students, coaches, and parents
Fourth grade teacher
St. Bridget's School
Richmond, Virginia
08.2013 - 08.2016
- Created fourth-grade math and reading curriculum map to align learning objectives and enhance student engagement
- Designed and delivered engaging math, writing, and reading lessons to foster student understanding and enthusiasm for learning
- Oversaw classroom of twenty-six to twenty-nine students, fostering a positive learning environment and promoting student participation
- Developed and taught interactive social studies lessons on Virginia history and science to enhance students' knowledge and critical thinking skills
- Utilized Google Docs to create collaborative documents for student assignments. and Google Classroom to implement class author study and assess writing
- Applied Words Their Way spelling curriculum to enhance students' understanding of word patterns. spelling curriculum to improve student spelling and vocabulary development
Coached girls and boys high school soccer
Trinity Episcopal School
Richmond, Virginia
08.2013 - 08.2016
- Coached girls' team to prepare for the state championship game in 2015
- Coached boys' team throughout the state tournament in 2015
- Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
- Executed daily tasks with precision and attention to detail.
- Worked successfully with a diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
Fourth grade teacher
St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School
Alexandria, Virginia
08.2006 - 06.2013
- Developed and delivered engaging math lessons aligned with Everyday Math curriculum to enhance student understanding
- Implemented responsive classroom management strategies to foster a positive learning environment and improve student behavior
- Oversaw classroom of nine to eleven-year-olds, fostering effective learning and engagement through tailored instruction.
- Taught social studies lessons on explorers, American Indians, and Colonial America, promoting critical thinking and historical understanding.
- Crafted comprehensive report cards to provide actionable feedback, enhancing student growth and facilitating effective parent communication.
- Worked with the 6+1 writing and Words Their Way spelling curriculum
- Led field trips to Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg and American Indian Museum
Fifth and Sixth grade teacher
New Canaan Country School
New Canaan, Connecticut
08.2004 - 06.2006
- Managed fifth and sixth grade classroom of twenty students, creating a positive learning environment that encouraged student participation and collaboration
- Instructed a fifth grade English class, focusing on reading and writing skills.
- Implemented diverse learning techniques and classroom management strategies that increased student engagement and participation
- Developed and assessed interdisciplinary units in Social Studies, Math, and English that promoted integrated learning experiences and supported student understanding
- Participated in staff meetings and engaged in extracurricular activities and field trips to support the school community.
Education
Masters - Administration and Leadership
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia12-2013
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
Rollins College
Winter Park, Florida12-2003
Skills
- Curriculum planning
- Academic intervention
- Admissions oversight
- Budget oversight
- Compliance oversight
- Faculty supervision
- Calendar planning
- Program development
- Student discipline
- School safety
- Conflict management
- Decision making
- Relationship management
- Parent-teacher communication
- Team building
- Board liaison
Affiliations
- Norfolk Collegiate School, 2018 - present
- VAIS Annual Conference
- NAIS Dean of students group
- VAIS Reopening your Campus- The next 60 Days
- VAIS Leadership Conference
- Charlottesville Catholic School, 2016-present
- On the Diocesan report card committee
- Attended three Administrator retreats at the Richmond Diocese
- St. Bridget's School, 2013-2016
- Best use of iPads and iPad Apps to enhance learning in the classroom
- Practical Strategies to Differentiate Math Instruction
Certification
- Postgraduate Professional License for Commonwealth of Virginia
Effective July 1, 2021, to june 30, 2031
Admin and Supervision Prek-12
Elementary Education Prek-6
Timeline
Head boys' varsity tennis coach
Norfolk Collegiate School
03.2025 - Current
Head of Middle School
Norfolk Collegiate School
07.2022 - Current
Upper school Dean
Norfolk Collegiate School
07.2018 - 07.2022
Assistant Principal of Students
Charlottesville Catholic School
07.2016 - 07.2018
Athletic Director
Charlottesville Catholic School
07.2016 - 07.2018
Fourth grade teacher
St. Bridget's School
08.2013 - 08.2016
Coached girls and boys high school soccer
Trinity Episcopal School
08.2013 - 08.2016
Fourth grade teacher
St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School
08.2006 - 06.2013
Fifth and Sixth grade teacher
New Canaan Country School
08.2004 - 06.2006
Masters - Administration and Leadership
George Mason University
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
Rollins College