Dana Dillard-Jackson
School Leader & Educator
Cross Plains,TN
Summary
Experienced educational leader with a strong background in school administration, curriculum development, and student engagement. Proven ability to build collaborative school cultures that drive academic achievement and continuous improvement. Adept at responding to evolving educational needs while maintaining high standards for instruction and student support. Strategic leader and effective communicator with the ability to guide teams toward shared goals.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
2
2
Certification
Work History
Lead Guide
Flourish Schools
06.2025 - Current
- Support the development of curriculum and project-based learning pursuits for grades 5-8 to ensure that skills are built on each other as students advance in skill levels.
- Deliver instruction and remediation to ensure student success
- Plan activities for clubs to provide real-world recreational activities instead of recess
- Coordinate learning excursions as extensions of lessons to provide real-world context and application
- Collaborate with community entities to enhance school interest and enrollment.
- Plan events to showcase student work and celebrate successes.
- Assist parents in securing ESA funding and scholarships to cover tuition.
- Led strategic initiatives to enhance student engagement and educational outcomes.
Principal
Smithson Craighead Academy
07.2023 - 06.2025
- Oversee daily management of the school and 44 academic faculty and staff
- Recruit, interview, and oversee hiring, resulting in 100% of academic openings being filled at the start of school each year
- Conduct performance observations for teachers and provide timely feedback using TEAM TN and walk-through measures. Results helped to identify strengths and target areas for the development of professional growth plans
- Collaborate with teachers and the leadership team to promote academic growth by implementing weekly collaborative planning, positive school culture, and programs that keep major behavior incidents below 1%
- Meet regularly with parents and stakeholders to communicate the school’s current state, action plan, and upcoming initiatives to increase student-facing outcomes
- Oversee and assist the team in the development, planning, and implementation of calendar events to increase parental involvement, community engagement, and enrollment
- Engage in community events and collaborate with community entities to enhance SCA’s visibility in the community and increase student enrollment
- Plan professional development opportunities for teachers based on student data and teacher observation data
- Collaborate and plan with teachers in academic data meetings, audit student work to develop plans to increase student growth
and achievement, close achievement gaps in subgroups, which contributed to an increase in TVAAS growth for 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 - Participate in 504, IEP, retention meetings, and general parent conferences as needed to promote collaboration and community during these sometimes delicate processes.
- Regularly connect with students and families by being present and available during arrival and dismissal, school functions, and by interacting with students daily.
- Resource allocation and staffing decisions align with identified needs
- Ensure submission of routine documentation for district and state compliance
Assistant Principal
Smithson Craighead Academy
06.2018 - 07.2023
- Supervise and evaluate all educational personnel serving as their direct report
- Vet potential new hires to create a robust selection of candidates for the following school year
- Conduct teacher observations using the TEAM rubric for TNDOE and provide documentation for
- Coordinate opportunities for professional development based on observation data
- Collaborate with teachers to vet new and existing curriculum for rigor and alignment with state standards
- Monitor student progress and implementation of interventions in partnership with the Instructional Coach and Tutoring Coordinator
- Serve as a liaison between teachers to promote a balanced school community
- In collaboration with teachers, develop the master schedule that meets the required minutes of instruction according to TNDOE
- Regularly maintain visibility throughout the school
- Collaborate with community entities to promote school community involvement
- Participate in IEP, 504, and discipline meetings
Elementary Teacher
Smithson Craighead Academy
10.2005 - 05.2018
- Plan lessons and design curriculum aligned to the TN state standards to promote positive growth on the standardized assessment
- Increase student outcomes by implementing diverse instruction and creating individual plans for student success
- Evaluate student progress through assessments, regularly adjusting instructional strategies to improve outcomes
- Analyze student data and implement interventions to address deficits and provide learning extensions
- Collaborate with colleagues in lesson and activity planning to foster a culture of collaboration within the school
- Communicate with parents regularly to cultivate a positive relationship and strengthen the parent-teacher partnership
- Plan opportunities for experiential learning to connect lessons to real life
- 504 coordinator, SIP Chair, Team Lead, PREP Teacher, represent school leadership in district functions
Education
TN DOE School Leaders Academy -
01.2022
M.Ed - Administration & Supervision, Instructional Leadership
12.2009
BA - Elementary Education
05.2004
Skills
- Training and mentoring
- Verbal and written communication
- Staff management
- Employee performance evaluations
Certification
- ILL-P Professional Administrator PreK-12
- Professional Teacher Grades K-8
Timeline
Lead Guide - Flourish Schools
06.2025 - Current
Principal - Smithson Craighead Academy
07.2023 - 06.2025
Assistant Principal - Smithson Craighead Academy
06.2018 - 07.2023
Elementary Teacher - Smithson Craighead Academy
10.2005 - 05.2018
Tennessee State University - M.Ed, Administration & Supervision, Instructional Leadership
Southern University - BA, Elementary Education
Tennessee Academy For School Leaders - TN DOE School Leaders Academy,