Darnessia Semper
11543 Cosca Park Place Clinton,MD
Summary
Highly skilled leader with a strong focus on promoting educational equity and centering student outcomes. Over twenty-eight years of experience, recognized for adaptability and meeting changing organizational needs. Proven track record of leading teams to success, excelling in strategic planning, process improvement, and fostering a culture of care, accountability, and excellence.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Manager I, Equity & Cultural Responsiveness
Fairfax County Public Schools
09.2022 - Current
- Lead the development and implementation of the district’s equity program and align practices to FCPS’ Strategic Plan equity commitments and Educational Equity Policy
- Developed and implemented a Leadership and Learning Series to develop team-wide leadership skills and deepen individual and collective efficacy to support division-wide priorities, resulting in increased confidence, alignment, and impact.
- Plan and facilitate Equity and Cultural Responsiveness team meetings
- Developed a Leadership and Learning series for the team to
- Build the capacity of central office departments and school-based staff to embed equity and cultural responsiveness into their everyday practice
- Monitor budget and provide guidance related to budget development and resource allocation for team projects
- Developed strategies and actions with an equity centered approach to align ECR team Action Plan goals with FCPS' strategic plan
- Collaborate with colleagues on cross-departmental project teams to plan, implement, support, and monitor a variety of programs that aim to enhance student achievement and support teacher development ( Goal Innovation-Algebra 1, Closing Achievement Gap, Benchmark Review)
- Support data collection, utilization and analysis of ECR team’s work to monitor progress and to assess the effectiveness of program initiatives, projects etc.
- Research, develop, recommend, and execute inclusive and equity centered strategies in support of systemwide goals and priorities
- Improve team productivity by implementing project management structures, streamlining project completion times and enhancing collaboration.
- Supervise and evaluate performance of educational specialists, providing ongoing mentoring, coaching, consultation, and targeted feedback to support professional growth and ensure alignment with year-end goals
- Lead the programming and facilitate division professional development for over 300+Equity Leads across schools, centers, and central offices
Acting Senior Manager II
Fairfax County Public Schools
03.2024 - 09.2024
- Provided consult and support in execution of our annual Summer Equity Symposium
- Identified, assessed and addressed inequities and systemic barriers affecting marginalized student groups
- Negotiated contracts with vendors, ensuring compliance with budgetary parameters and district guidelines
- Co-planned Data Summits based on ECR Action Plan metrics to monitor team goals and drive continuous improvement
Equity and Cultural Responsiveness Educational Specialist
Fairfax County Public Schools
07.2017 - 09.2022
- Provided direct support and thought partnership to Region 5 Leadership team and schools within the region as it relates to topics such as equity, cultural responsiveness, caring culture, controversial issues, messaging, and job embedded professional development
- Co-Led the development and implementation of the district’s equity initiatives, cohort learning opportunities, equity lead professional development, Academy courses and required cultural proficiency modules
- Collectively established and planned for the Student Equity Ambassador Leadership (SEAL) program to amplify student voice and empower students to take an active role in fostering a welcoming and affirming school environment.
- Designed and customized district-wide professional learning to engage partners in collaborative discourse, inquiry, and practice around equity and cultural responsiveness
- Assisted with the organization and implementation of a weekly professional learning series, All Things Equity whereby the Equity and Cultural Responsiveness (ECR) team sent weekly communication, resources, tools, etc. to division equity leads
- Lead collaborative planning, development and execution of professional learning for All County Principal Meetings and central office leaders
- Supported planning of annual leadership kickoff content
- Supported professional learning for FCPS principal pool and supporting the mission
- Facilitated Emotional Intelligence for Administrators course
Division Level Instructional Coach
Fairfax County Public Schools
08.2016 - 07.2017
- Planned and co-facilitated the FCPS Leadership Team Retreat with a focus on equity
- Supported schools in all five regions with resources, structures and processes to establish a strong Professional Learning Community and high functioning collaborative teams
- Co-planned and co-facilitated introduction to Cultural Proficiency Module II for All County Principals Meeting (ACPM)
- Collaborate with administrative teams at various schools to develop and implement a professional learning plan to build the capacity of teachers and support the work of their School Improvement and Innovation Plan (SIIP)
- Organize, design, and deliver a wide range of professional development sessions to central office staff, school teams, regions and pyramids to build capacity in the workforce across the division
- Planned and co-facilitated Superintendent’s Ad-Hoc Committee meetings for the renaming of a FCPS high school
Instructional Coach
Office of Professional Learning and Family Engagement
08.2011 - 08.2016
- Served as LEAD mentor for 1st year Instructional Coach cohort which includes planning professional learning, building capacity, and supporting new coaches through collaboration and mentorship
- Developed School Improvement Plan by collaborating with a team of administrators, teachers and other stakeholders to establish goals, analyze data, track progression and reflect on best practices resulting in clear instructional focus for the school year
- Served as Responsive Instruction Core Team leader, coordinated monthly meetings and utilized EDSL Insight tool to document interventions
- Coordinated and planned vertical articulation meetings emphasising desired outcomes and common language which resulted in consistency in practice and expectations
- Collaborated with co-coaches to gather resources and content to create a schoolwide Collaborative Learning Team Manual to provide a framework and vision for CLTs
- Provided modeling and job embedded professional learning to enhance the effectiveness of the instructional program for teachers resulting in increased SOL pass rates across grade levels and content areas
- Coached teams in implementing protocols to establish norms, common agendas, data analysis, progress monitoring and intervention
- Planned and facilitated weekly meetings for coaches and resource teachers that led to a collaborative effort for supporting the work of teachers and students
- Co-facilitated Battelle for Kids Instructional Rounds process as a Facilitator In Training
Administrative Intern
Fairfax County Public Schools
06.2016 - 07.2016
- Planned calendar, researched information and gathered resources to be used for the Cultural Proficiency Cohort trainings and learning modules for the 2016-17 school year
- Co-planned and co-facilitated Cultural Proficiency professional development session for Fairfax Association of Elementary School Principals (FAESP) retreat and for Transportation Department
- Attended Close the Achievement Gap project team meetings
- Engaged multiple stakeholders to gain perspective and give voice to the work of Cultural Proficiency
Administrative Intern
Bailey’s Elementary School, Falls Church, VA
01.2016 - 04.2016
- Designed and implemented a differentiated professional development model which provided choice and self-directed learning opportunities for staff
- Supported the logistics and planning of school wide testing to include eCART, WIDA and SOLs
- Attended budget and finance meetings and facilitated leadership team meetings
- Acted as principal designee for local screening and eligibility meetings
- Observed teachers and provided non-evaluative feedback
- Organized and facilitated grade level placement meetings to ensure equitable classroom configuration and demographics for the upcoming school year
Great Beginnings Coach
Fairfax County Public Schools
08.2007 - 07.2011
- Provided coaching, support, resources, and strategies for FCPS new teachers through the facilitation of monthly after school teaching seminars and one on one conversations
- Participated in monthly Great Beginnings coaches professional development sessions
Classroom Teacher Leader
Woodley Hills Elementary School
08.2006 - 07.2011
- Grade level team leader, School Improvement Plan team member, Multicultural committee lead, PBIS committee, Math Leader, Student Council Advisor
Classroom Teacher Leader
Henry Ferguson Elementary
08.2001 - 07.2006
- Grade level chairperson, School based Math Coordinator, Math resource teacher, School Planning and Management Team member
Classroom Teacher Leader
Princeton Elementary
08.1998 - 06.2001
- Student Government Association Advisor, Multicultural Committee Chair
Classroom Teacher Leader
Skyline Elementary
09.1996 - 06.1998
- Student Government Association Advisor
Education
Post-Master’s Certificate - Educational Leadership and Administration (PreK-12)
The George Washington University
08.2016
Master of Education (M.Ed.) - Master Teacher Program/Curriculum and Instruction
Regent University
08.2006
Bachelor of Science Degree - Elementary Education, Minor: Mathematics
North Carolina A & T State University
05.1996
Skills
- Learner: Driven by a strong desire for continuous improvement and a passion for acquiring new knowledge and skills, consistently seeking out professional development opportunities
- Achiever: Possesses an intense work ethic and an innate drive to accomplish goals, consistently exceeding expectations and delivering high-quality results
- Developer: Committed to fostering the growth and potential of others, providing mentorship, coaching, and support to enhance individual and team capabilities
- Belief: Guided by a strong sense of purpose and unwavering values, dedicated to creating equitable and affirming educational experiences for all
- Positivity: Approaches challenges with optimism and enthusiasm, inspiring and motivating colleagues and fostering a constructive and hopeful environment
Certification
- Virginia Postgraduate Professional License Elementary Education PreK-6 Administration & Supervision Endorsement
- Certified Instructional Rounds Facilitator-Battelle for Kids
Affiliations
- Fairfax Alliance of Black School Educators
- Virginia Alliance of Black School Educators
- Black Women Education Leaders (BWEL)
- Fairfax County Federation of Principals, Supervisors & Administrators
- Fort Washington Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated
- Washington DC NC A&T State Univ. Alumni Association
Professional Development Highlights
- Culturally Responsive and Inclusive Educator Practices Microcredential
- Center For Creative Leadership
- Equity Minded Leadership
- National ESEA Conference
- VCU-Becoming an Antiracist Educator
- Racial Equity/ Equity Literacy
- Race, Equity and Leadership (REAL) Conference Harvard Graduate School
- Strategies to Promote a Culturally Diverse PK-12 Teaching Workforce Series
- NABSE Conference Rewind
- Engaging Adult Learners with Powerful Presentations
- Fierce Conversations
- Cognitive Coaching
- Advanced Cognitive Coaching
- Group Coaching
- Adaptive Schools Foundation
- What Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) Do
- Fairfax Instructional Rounds Facilitator’s Training
- Mind in the Making Facilitator’s Training
- School Turnaround Training-University of Virginia
- Teacher Leaders Role in Leading Powerful Teams
- Maryland State Governor’s Academy for Teacher Leaders
- International Center for Leadership in Education – Model Schools Conference
- National Staff Development Conference (now Learning Forward)
- Texas Association of International Baccalaureate World Schools Conference
- Virginia Council of Teachers of Math Conference
RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FACILITATED
- Centering Equity-Orientation to Affirm, Assess, Advance
- Emotional Intelligence for Administrators
- FCPS COMPASS Course Real Talk-Navigating Difficult Conversations
- FCPS COMPASS Course Managing Change, Conflict and Resistance
- FCPS COMPASS Course Effective Meetings for Support Staff and Central Office Staff
- FCPS COMPASS Course Effective Facilitation for Support Staff and Central Office Staff
- FCPS Cultural Proficiency Trainings Cohorts
- Intro to Cultural Proficiency Academy Course
- Non Traditional Schools Cohorts 1, 2 and 3- Professional Learning Series
- Differentiated Learning -Association of Christian Schools Int’l Conference
- Shifting Mindsets (Growth vs. Fixed)
- FCPS Diversity Institute- Student Goal Setting and Reflection
- Culturally Responsive Leadership
- Leading with an Equity Mindset
- Cultural Proficiency Modules II-VIII
- FCPS Equity Lead PD Series
- Take a Selfie- Ready, Set, Reflect (FAESP Summer Retreat)
- Making Boss Moves- Black Women In Leadership (VAABSE Conference)
Timeline
Acting Senior Manager II
Fairfax County Public Schools
03.2024 - 09.2024
Senior Manager I, Equity & Cultural Responsiveness
Fairfax County Public Schools
09.2022 - Current
Equity and Cultural Responsiveness Educational Specialist
Fairfax County Public Schools
07.2017 - 09.2022
Division Level Instructional Coach
Fairfax County Public Schools
08.2016 - 07.2017
Administrative Intern
Fairfax County Public Schools
06.2016 - 07.2016
Administrative Intern
Bailey’s Elementary School, Falls Church, VA
01.2016 - 04.2016
Instructional Coach
Office of Professional Learning and Family Engagement
08.2011 - 08.2016
Great Beginnings Coach
Fairfax County Public Schools
08.2007 - 07.2011
Classroom Teacher Leader
Woodley Hills Elementary School
08.2006 - 07.2011
Classroom Teacher Leader
Henry Ferguson Elementary
08.2001 - 07.2006
Classroom Teacher Leader
Princeton Elementary
08.1998 - 06.2001
Classroom Teacher Leader
Skyline Elementary
09.1996 - 06.1998
Master of Education (M.Ed.) - Master Teacher Program/Curriculum and Instruction
Regent University
Bachelor of Science Degree - Elementary Education, Minor: Mathematics
North Carolina A & T State University
Post-Master’s Certificate - Educational Leadership and Administration (PreK-12)
The George Washington University
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