Cynthia Cox
Summary
Visionary educational leader fostering collaboration and innovation, strategically enhancing partnerships with school districts, community organizations, and businesses. Committed to driving student success and organizational effectiveness through data-driven decision making and professional development initiatives.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Superintendent / Educational Consultant
Hamilton County ESC
Cincinnati
08.2021 - Current
- Led initiatives and secured competitive grants to enhance instructional quality in member school districts and developed professional learning opportunities that fostered collaboration and innovation
- Cultivated strategic partnerships with school districts, business partners, community organizations, and state agencies to enhance educational outcomes
- Strategic liaison and advocate, advancing initiatives that enhance educational opportunities for students and create community impact
- Managed budgets to optimize resource utilization across programs and initiatives
- Served as Executive in Residence, AESA
English/Language Arts Instructor
Fulton County Schools
Atlanta
08.2020 - 07.2021
- Mentored educators, improving instructional practices and increasing student engagement
- Led hybrid learning environments, integrating remote and in-person instruction to support diverse learning needs
- Assessed student progress through various evaluation methods and provided feedback.
Consultant Principal
Centennial Academy Charter
Atlanta
05.2019 - 12.2019
- Coached assistant principals, teachers, and staff to elevate instructional quality through targeted strategies
- Developed data-driven School Improvement Plans that strategically addressed specific areas for enhancing student performance
- Analyzed data to identify areas for improvement in student performance.
Principal
Okaloosa County Schools
Fort Walton Beach
04.2014 - 04.2019
- Transformational instructional leader who created the conditions for sustained student growth and increased academic achievement through innovative practices.
- Led and coached assistant principals and educators, improving student outcomes through targeted professional development
- Directed recruitment and retention efforts, attracting and securing top-tier staff to strengthen educational leadership
- Spearheaded budget development and oversight, promoting fiscal accountability and supporting operational success
- Served as Northwest Director for Florida Association of Elementary & Middle School Principals
Assistant Superintendent / Principal
Rich Township High School District #227
Matteson
07.2009 - 04.2014
- Student-centered instructional leader recognized for introducing innovative practices that accelerated student growth and raised achievement outcomes.
- Supervised district administrators and mentored principals, resulting in enhanced academic performance and improved student outcomes
- Developed and managed multi-million-dollar district budget to optimize resource allocation and support strategic educational initiatives
Principal/ Assistant Principal
Rockdale County Schools
Rockdale
07.2004 - 07.2009
- Collaboratively developed Continuous School Improvement Plan aligned to school and district priorities, enhancing overall educational effectiveness.
- Evaluated and supervised the school’s educational program to ensure instructional quality, compliance, and student achievement.
- Established and fostered Professional Learning Communities to promote data-informed instruction and ongoing staff development, resulting in improved instructional practices.
- Led project management for educational initiatives, including expansion of Advanced Placement offerings, AVID program implementation, and MJROTC program growth, utilizing student performance data to inform decisions.
- Trained, coached, and mentored Assistant Principals to strengthen instructional leadership and school operations.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy - Theology
Covenant University
Tallahassee, FL01-2015
Master of Arts - Education Administration
Roosevelt University
Chicago, IL01-1998
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Ed.
University of West Florida
Pensacola, FL01-1995
Skills
- Instructional Expertise
- Educational Policy Development
- Transformational Leadership
- Mentoring
- Employee Engagement Strategies
- Strategic Thinking
- Data-Informed Decision Making
- Problem Solving
- Innovative Thinking
- Organizational Engagement
- Collaboration
- Effective communication & collaboration
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Relationship building and networking
- Systems Thinking
Affiliations
- Member, Association of Education Service Agencies (AESA) Foundation Board
- Women Leadership Network, AASA
- Buckeye Association of School Administrators (BASA)
- Education Research Development Institute (ERDI)
- American Association of School Personnel Administrators (AASPA)
Certification
- Superintendent License, Ohio, #22462644
- Principal License, Ohio, #22619770
- Professional Human Capital Leader in Education (pHCLE), #P001347, 2019
- Disney’s Approach to Leadership Excellence, 2025
- Harvard Executive Leadership Coaching Mastery Class, 2024
- AI x Design Thinking, 2026
- Agile Scrum Master, 2024
- DiSC Epic Wiley Training Certification, 2023
- Design Thinking & Innovation, 2023
- Disney's Approach to Quality Customer Service, 2023
References
- Chad Hilliker, Superintendent, Hamilton County ESC, (513) 200-2892
- Carrie Buehler, Superintendent, Danbury Local Schools, (419) 798-5185
- Dr. Doris Langon, Retired Superintendent, Rich Township High School District, (312) 203-1620
- Arden Farley, Retired, Okaloosa County Schools, (850) 428-3844
Key Leadership Competencies
- Strategic Visionary Leadership – Visionary, innovative systems thinker and problem solver
- Instructional Leadership – Coaching leaders and educators via instructional expertise for improved student achievement and learning gains
- Program Development – Designing and evaluating initiatives and strategies for student achievement
- Policy & Governance – Advocating and Aligning policies with state, federal, and organizational mandates
- Resource Management – Human capital expertise, fiscal responsibility, operational management, and efficiency
- Communication & Collaboration – Adept at building and strengthening organizational and community trust
- Professional Development – Creation and facilitation of professional learning for capacity-building efforts.
Websites
Timeline
Assistant Superintendent / Educational Consultant
Hamilton County ESC
08.2021 - Current
English/Language Arts Instructor
Fulton County Schools
08.2020 - 07.2021
Consultant Principal
Centennial Academy Charter
05.2019 - 12.2019
Principal
Okaloosa County Schools
04.2014 - 04.2019
Assistant Superintendent / Principal
Rich Township High School District #227
07.2009 - 04.2014
Principal/ Assistant Principal
Rockdale County Schools
07.2004 - 07.2009
Doctor of Philosophy - Theology
Covenant University
Master of Arts - Education Administration
Roosevelt University
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Ed.
University of West Florida