Job Search Status
Open to workDesired start date: Open to discussion
Desired Job Title
Educational AdministratorWork Type
Full TimeLocation Preference
On-SiteOpen to relocation: No
Open To Work
COLLEEN McQUADE
San Francisco
Work Preference
Summary
Strategic school administrator with over 20 years of experience specializing in building deep relational trust and transparent partnerships across diverse constituencies. Proven track record in driving institutional sustainability, enrollment growth, and academic excellence through authentic communication, proactive community engagement, and successful philanthropic leadership. Expert in cultivating a "radical belonging" culture while maintaining students at the center of all instructional and administrative decisions.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
DIRECTOR OF COUNSELING AND TRANSITIONS
STANBRIDGE ACADEMY
San Mateo, CA
09.2025 - Current
- Work collaboratively with other members of the administrative team to plan, implement and evaluate staff professional development
- Conduct program evaluation using data to provide reliable and useful information for making informed judgments about the goals, processes and impact of interventions and programs
- Educate students, parents, and community stakeholders by distributing information on transition issues, hosting parent information meetings, and scheduling tours of post-secondary programs
- Development and delivery of college and career readiness curriculum for grades 9 through 12.
- Organize and implement post-secondary transition events (College & Transitions Fair, Parent & Student Alumni Panels, Post-secondary field trips)
- Conduct transition evaluations and facilitate individualized transition planning meetings with all 8th-12th grade students, parents, and other key stakeholders
PreK - 8th GRADE PRINCIPAL
DOWNTOWN MONTESSORI ACADEMY
Milwaukee, WI
06.2023 - 06.2025
- Provide vision and direction aligned with Montessori principles to foster an enriching learning environment
- Ensure Montessori curriculum implementation, adherence to best practices, and continuous improvement
- Recruit, train, mentor, and evaluate teachers and staff, ensuring professional development opportunities
- Promote a nurturing, student-centered environment that supports academic, social, and emotional growth
- Foster strong relationships with parents through transparent communication, workshops, and community-building initiatives
- Oversee daily school operations, including budgeting, scheduling, and facility maintenance
- Monitor state and federal grant allocations.
- Ensure adherence to local, state, and national education regulations and Montessori accreditation standards
- Address and mediate concerns among students, staff, and parents to maintain a school environment that fosters safety and belonging
- Develop and execute strategies to promote the school and maintain student enrollment
- Monitor student progress, analyze data, and implement improvements to enhance learning outcomes
K-12 PRINCIPAL/DIRECTOR OF COUNSELING AND TRANSITIONS
STANBRIDGE ACADEMY
San Mateo, CA
09.2018 - 06.2023
- Work collaboratively with other members of the administrative team to plan, implement and evaluate staff development
- Launched a post-secondary program for students needing extra support navigating college and career
- Design and implement a distance learning program during Covid-19 that includes training for staff, families and students
- Conduct program evaluation using data to provide reliable and useful information for making informed judgments about the goals, processes and impact of interventions and programs
- Design and implement a High School Advisory period that delivers instructional programming designed to ensure every Stanbridge Academy student will graduate with a meaningful, personalized plan and be prepared for postsecondary options
- Conduct teacher evaluations using a strengths based approach focused on assisting teachers in becoming more effective practitioners, leading to increased student achievement
- Implement a systematic process for powerful collaboration in which teachers work together to analyze and improve their classroom practice through the Peer to Peer Instructional Growth Team (PPIGT)
- Educate students, parents, and community stakeholders by distributing information on transition issues, hosting parent information meetings, and scheduling tours of post-secondary programs
- Development and delivery of college and career readiness curriculum
- Organize and implement post-secondary transition events (College & Transitions Fair, Parent & Student Alumni Panels, Post-secondary field trips)
- Conduct transition evaluations and facilitate individualized transition planning meetings with students, parents, and other key stakeholders
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT/SCHOOL COUNSELOR
CREATIVE ARTS CHARTER SCHOOL
San Francisco, CA
12.2016 - 06.2018
- Communicate effectively with families, students, teachers and administrators
- Work closely with administration and staff to facilitate and implement school-wide Restorative Practices and PBIS
- Successful design and delivery of a K-5 classroom guidance curriculum and middle school health and wellness curriculum
- Support middle school teachers in implementing an advisory curriculum
- Adept at maintaining composure, tact, sensitivity and flexibility during peak stress periods and crisis intervention situations
DEAN OF STUDENTS/HEAD COUNSELOR
SAN FRANCISCO UNIFIED
08.2014 - 12.2015
- Communicate and enforce guidelines and procedures pertaining to student behavior management
- Confer with, counsel and advise all stakeholders regarding student instructional management concerns
- Conduct restorative conferences focused on resolving conflict
- Conduct staff development and in-service training programs topics including trauma sensitive schools, autism, and RTI/PBIS
- Coordinate district and state-mandated testing
SCHOOL COUNSELOR
MADISON METRO UNIFIED
Madison, WI
08.2011 - 06.2014
- Work closely with administration and staff to shape and mold the district’s expulsion abeyance instructional program for Gr. 6-12
- Responsible for planning and facilitation of Restorative Circles for student, parents, and staff aimed at providing closure and establishing supports focused on successful transition of student back to their home school
- Successful development and delivery of a classroom guidance curriculum with a focus on at-risk behaviors, AODA prevention, and career exploration
- Design and implement a positive behavior support system aimed at improving student safety and engagement
ADJUNCT FACULTY
EDGEWOOD COLLEGE
Madison, WI
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Instructed "Wellness in Education," a course designed to provide pre-service teachers with the foundational knowledge to integrate health, nutrition, and physical education into elementary school curricula.
- Developed and delivered curriculum focused on developmentally appropriate programs for physical fitness and health promotion.
- Guided students in analyzing personal and community health issues currently impacting schools to foster a holistic understanding of student well-being.
- Equipped aspiring educators with practical skills to embed wellness concepts into daily classroom instruction and school-wide initiatives.
VOLUNTEER TEACHER
Iringa, Tanzania
06.2013 - 08.2013
SCHOOL COUNSELOR
RIVER VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
WI
08.2004 - 06.2011
- Develop and implement K-12 Comprehensive School Counseling Program in accordance with American School Counseling Association
- Development and delivery of classroom guidance curriculum
- Planning and facilitation of small group counseling, individual counseling, and individual planning conferences
Education
M.S. - Educational Leadership
University of the Pacific
M.S. - Counseling Education
University of Wisconsin
Autism Specialist Certificate - undefined
University of Wisconsin
B.S. - Environmental Biology
St. Mary’s University
Skills
- Instructional leadership
- Community engagement
- Ethical leadership
- Staff management
- Recruitment and retention
- Strategic leadership
- Relationship building and networking
- Verbal and written communication
Accomplishments
IMPROVED EARLY LITERACY SCORES BY 61%
- Systematically allocated staff and resources to provide educators with professional development and coaching focused on the Science of Reading.
BOOSTED STUDENT RETENTION AND ENROLLMENT BY 15%
- Created and implemented an action plan targeting student retention and enrollment. Among other actions, the plan included advertising and marketing, and hosting special events and workshops.
DECREASED BEHAVIOR REFERRALS BY 33%
- Implemented a PBIS program focused on establishing and teaching universal expectations in all school domains while using a restorative practices approach.
Certification
- CA Clear Administrative Services Credential
- CA Pupil Personnel Services Credential
- Montessori Administrative Certification
Timeline
DIRECTOR OF COUNSELING AND TRANSITIONS
STANBRIDGE ACADEMY
09.2025 - Current
PreK - 8th GRADE PRINCIPAL
DOWNTOWN MONTESSORI ACADEMY
06.2023 - 06.2025
K-12 PRINCIPAL/DIRECTOR OF COUNSELING AND TRANSITIONS
STANBRIDGE ACADEMY
09.2018 - 06.2023
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT/SCHOOL COUNSELOR
CREATIVE ARTS CHARTER SCHOOL
12.2016 - 06.2018
DEAN OF STUDENTS/HEAD COUNSELOR
SAN FRANCISCO UNIFIED
08.2014 - 12.2015
VOLUNTEER TEACHER
06.2013 - 08.2013
ADJUNCT FACULTY
EDGEWOOD COLLEGE
01.2012 - 01.2014
SCHOOL COUNSELOR
MADISON METRO UNIFIED
08.2011 - 06.2014
SCHOOL COUNSELOR
RIVER VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
08.2004 - 06.2011
M.S. - Counseling Education
University of Wisconsin
Autism Specialist Certificate - undefined
University of Wisconsin
B.S. - Environmental Biology
St. Mary’s University
M.S. - Educational Leadership
University of the Pacific