DR. LATONYA S. DONALD
Summary
Educational leader with experience as a school principal, both locally and internationally. Expertise in fostering inclusivity, enhancing early literacy instruction, and implementing data-driven strategies. Proven track record in promoting community engagement and mentoring teachers to improve academic performance and operational efficiency.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Early Literacy Coordinator
Student Support Services
10.2024 - Current
Provides coaching and professional development to Pre-Kindergarten teachers on early literacy strategies, phonological awareness, emergent writing, and language development.
Assists in the selection and use of instructional materials, such as Waterford and School Mint, for the district-wide Pre-Kindergarten lottery.
Coordinates with other departments (e.g., special education, speech, ESL, and Title I) for integrated services.
Conducts audits, and monitors documentation and records for compliance.
Principal
DeKalb Elementary School of the Arts
08.2022 - 10.2024
- Led Rebranding Initiative: Partnered with community stakeholders and the Board of Education to successfully rename the school from DeKalb Elementary School of the Arts to DeKalb Arts Academy, enhancing the institution's identity and aligning with its performing arts focus
- Boosted Enrollment: Increased student enrollment by 35% in a single academic year, growing the student body from 632 to 853 through targeted recruitment and community engagement strategies
- Strengthened Leadership Capacity: Expanded instructional support by hiring an additional full-time counselor, a second Academic Coach and adding two additional Assistant Principals to enhance student outcomes and teacher development
- Achieved STEM Certification: Guided the school to earn prestigious STEM certification, integrating interdisciplinary learning and Project-based Learning and preparing students for future-ready careers
- Fostered Leadership Growth: Organized the school's first off-site leadership retreat, focusing on team building, strategic planning, and professional development
- Enhanced Communication: Launched 'Dr
- Donald's Daily Dosage' News Feeds via the Smore platform, providing timely updates and fostering transparency with all stakeholders
- Built Community Connections: Hosted monthly 'Coffee Chats with Dr
- Donald,' creating an open forum for parents and community members to engage with school leadership
- Celebrated Student Success: Established 8th Grade Signing Day whereby all students formally announced to the student body during an assembly the high school they would be attending
- Showcased Student Talent: Developed the 'Students-on-Tour' program, offering schools live performances and presentation opportunities to promote student excellence in the Arts within the broader community
- District Leadership Recognition: Selected as a host site for the 2024-2025 District-wide Convocation, highlighting the school's excellence and capacity for leadership in the district
- Redesigned Behavioral Systems: Spearheaded the overhaul of ineffective disciplinary processes by implementing a school-wide behavior modification plan, incorporating restorative practices, which successfully reduced suspensions by 65% from 2021-2022 to 2022-2023 and an 85% deduction in 2023-2024 school year, fostering a more inclusive and supportive school climate
- Statewide Recognition for Academic Leadership: Honored by the Georgia Department of Education as one of only 40 schools statewide designated as a Math and Literacy Lead School, reflecting significant improvements in student achievement and instructional excellence
- Educational Support Professional of the Year II- 2023-2024
Assistant Principal
DeKalb County School District
08.2019 - 08.2022
- Organized school-wide anti-bullying celebration as a result of decreases in reports of founded bullying allegations
- Assisted with the inaugural school-wide Fall and Spring Writing Celebrations
- Instituted peer observation schedule for teaching staff, which promoted collaborative teamwork, respect, and appreciation among staff members
- Introduced protocols to teachers for data talks
- Helped organize the community partnerships and volunteers appreciation program
- Assists with daily school operations including staff recruitment, retention and development, staff coverage and building maintenance
- Collaborates with school leadership team to create positive school culture and climate using the Positive Behavior Intervention Supports framework
- Exemplary in developing and maintaining a climate of openness, confidentiality, and trust with all stakeholders, inclusive of teachers, students, and parents
- Supervises and evaluates certified and classified staff
- Coordinates transportation for school bus routes, car riders, walkers, and daycare
- Assess instruction and provides strategies and monitors the effectiveness of the written, taught, and assessed curriculum
- Test Coordinator- creates the plan and oversees the administration of ACCESS, CoGAT, District Benchmarks, GAA, GKIDS, MAP, and Georgia Milestones assessments
- Organizes and facilitates grade level meetings which support teachers in making data-driven decisions based on diagnostic formative and summative assessments
- Collaborates and implements curriculum planning, common assessments in order to increase overall math and reading achievement and growth
- Mentors novice assistant principals and test coordinators in the creation of and implementation of master schedules, testing logistics, and reconciling ETCH state reports
Instructional Support Specialist
DeKalb County School District
08.2017 - 08.2019
- Collaborated with District's Regional Coordinator to develop functional budgets within allocated funds for Title 1 spending
- Created and delivered professional learning related to standards-based instruction, formative assessments, discipline, Response to Intervention (RTI), and Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) to school staff
- Organized, scheduled, and facilitated professional development based on faculty needs assessment
Assistant Principal
Abu Dhabi
, United Arab Emirates
08.2013 - 08.2017
- Directly supervised 65 teachers from over 30 countries.
- Organized a six-week internship program for pre-service teachers.
- Assisted teachers in the planning and delivery of the American Common Core Curriculum.
- Identified training needs, arranged, organized, and delivered training as appropriate
- Conducted performance evaluations
- Organized mentorship program for novice teachers to the profession.
- Communicated with parents, the board of directors, and all other stakeholders.
Education
Doctor of Education - Teaching and Curriculum: Educational Leadership
Northcentral University
San Diego, CA08.2020
Master of Education - Educational Administration
Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, AL12.2001
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
University of West Georgia
Carrollton, GA08.1992
Skills
- Early literacy instruction
- Phonological awareness
- Conflict resolution
- Data-driven instruction
- Teacher mentoring
- Operational efficiency
- Parent communication
- Community outreach
- Stakeholder engagement
- Data analysis
- Curriculum development
- Professional development
Accomplishments
- Recognized by the Georgia Department of Education as one of only 40 schools statewide designated as a Math and Literacy Lead School, reflecting significant improvements in student achievement and instructional excellence.
- · Educational Support Professional of the Year II- 2023-2024
Timeline
Early Literacy Coordinator
Student Support Services
10.2024 - Current
Principal
DeKalb Elementary School of the Arts
08.2022 - 10.2024
Assistant Principal
DeKalb County School District
08.2019 - 08.2022
Instructional Support Specialist
DeKalb County School District
08.2017 - 08.2019
Assistant Principal
Abu Dhabi
08.2013 - 08.2017
Doctor of Education - Teaching and Curriculum: Educational Leadership
Northcentral University
Master of Education - Educational Administration
Jacksonville State University
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
University of West Georgia
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