Open To Work
Erin Walterina Manuel
Research Analyst, Educational Administrator
Fayetteville,NC
Work Preference
Summary
Strategic K-12 education leader with over 20 years in district administration and school leadership. Led district-wide continuous improvement initiatives and aligned support systems to enhance instructional leadership and student outcomes. Cultivated regional partnerships and integrated research with practice to navigate complex changes across local education agencies.
Overview
1
1
Certification
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Research Associate
William and Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation
Raleigh, NC
01.2025 - Current
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to design research methodologies.
- Analyzed qualitative and quantitative data using statistical software tools.
- Conducted literature reviews to inform educational innovation projects.
- Evaluated implementation and impact of educational initiatives for digital inclusion and literacy projects in Program Evaluation and Education Research (PEER) Group.
Research Analyst
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
Raleigh, NC
02.2022 - 09.2024
- Analyzed educational data to identify trends and inform policy decisions.
- Conducted qualitative and quantitative research for instructional improvement initiatives.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to develop research methodologies and frameworks.
- Led UNC Research Partnership studies, facilitating collaboration among stakeholders to drive research outcomes.
- Analyzed impact of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER)-funded programs and initiatives at state and local levels.
At Risk Coordinator
Lee County Schools
Sanford, NC
01.2019 - 02.2022
- Identified at-risk students in Lee County Schools and facilitated support pathways, enhancing their chances of obtaining a high school diploma.
- Developed individualized support plans for at-risk students.
- Collaborated with teachers to implement behavior intervention strategies.
- Coordinated with parents to address student needs and concerns.
Principal
West Lee Middle School, Lee County Schools
Sanford, NC
10.2017 - 01.2019
- Lead learner and administrator for the total school program at West Lee Middle School.
- Developed and implemented policies, programming, curriculum, and fiscal resources to enhance educational development of students and foster professional learning of staff.
- Achieved significant academic growth during school years 2016-2017 and 2017-2018.
Assistant Principal
Lee County High School, Lee County Schools
Sanford, NC
02.2017 - 10.2017
- Collaborated with principal and administrative team to develop school program enhancing educational success for all students.
- Collaborated with teachers to develop and implement educational programs.
- Facilitated professional development workshops for faculty and staff.
- Monitored student behavior and implemented disciplinary procedures.
Visual Arts Teacher
Cliffdale Elementary School, Cumberland County Schools
Cumberland County, NC
01.2016 - 02.2017
- Developed engaging visual arts curriculum for diverse student populations.
- Facilitated hands-on art projects to enhance creativity and self-expression.
- Collaborated with teachers to integrate arts into broader educational goals.
- Implemented Essential Standards curriculum for K-5 students, fostering creativity and artistic skills.
Assistant Principal
Pinecrest High School, Moore County Schools
Southern Pines, NC
08.2007 - 07.2015
- Implemented curriculum changes to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
- Coordinated teacher evaluations and provided constructive feedback for professional development.
- Collaborated with principal and administrative team to develop school program enhancing educational success for all students.
- Facilitated staff meetings to discuss educational strategies and school policies.
District Intern
Moore County Schools
Carthage, NC
08.2014 - 05.2015
- Completed district-level internship in Moore County Schools, collaborating with Dr. Eric Porter, Associate Superintendent for Secondary Schools, to gain specialist licensure (Ed.S).
Administrative Intern
Cumberland County Schools
Fayetteville, NC
06.2006 - 06.2007
- Assistant Principal intern at Seventy First Park.
Visual Arts Teacher
Westover Sr. High School
Fayetteville, NC
08.1998 - 05.2005
- Delivered art-centered curriculum (Art I - AP Art) to secondary students, fostering creativity and critical thinking.
- Designed engaging lesson plans for diverse student groups.
- Facilitated hands-on art projects to enhance creativity and expression.
- Organized classroom materials and resources for efficient use.
Education
Doctorate of Education - Leadership, Policy, and Human Development
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina05-2020
Master of School Administration - School of Education
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, North Carolina05-2007
Master of Arts and Teaching - Art and Art Education
University of South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina12-1997
Bachelor of Arts - Art and Art History, Education
Colgate University
Hamilton, New York05-1995
Skills
- Program evaluation
- Qualitative and quantitative methodology
- Data literacy and analytics
- Evidence-based decision making
- Change management
- Strategic planning
- Instructional leadership
- Curriculum standards and implementation
- MTSS implementation
- Instructional coaching
- Progress monitoring
- Project management
- Systems leadership
- Diagnostic findings
Certification
- North Carolina Superintendent Certification, sixth year level degree, 2031
- North Carolina Teaching Certification, M License, Art Education Grades K-12
- North Carolina Principal Certification, DP License, School Administration Grades K-12
Awards Fellowships Grants
- NC. Principal Fellow, Fayetteville State University, Cohort XII, 05/05
- Westover High School Teacher of the Year, 06/03
- Westover High School Teacher of the Year Nominee, 06/01
- Westover Teacher of the Month, 04/02
- Who's Who Amongst American Teachers, 06/02
- Phil Delta Kappa: School of Education Honor Society, Fall 97
- Adam Clayton Powell Award for Community Excellence, 05/95
- Senior Studio Art/ Art History Project: Honors Received, 01/95
- George Caldwell Fellowship: Nomination for Community Excellence, 05/93
Professional Organizations
- North Carolina Association for Research in Education (Board Member), 2023-02/25
- National Network of Education Research Practice Partnerships, 2023-Present
- American Evaluation Association, 10/22-Present
- North Carolina Association of School Administrators, 2006-Present
- North Carolina Principal and Assistant Principal Association, 2007-Present
National Conference Presentations
- Corn, J., Hutt, E., Arthur, G., Manuel, E., Johnson, J., Developing Research Recommendations for Policymakers and Practitioners, National Network of Education, Research Practice Partnerships (NNERRP), 2024
- Fuller, S., Lauren, D., Bastian, K., Manuel, E., Wright-Junio, R., Restart Network National Forum, 2024
- Hutt, E., Arthur, G., Manuel, E., Panel on the North Carolina Recovery Research Network, National Network of Education, Research Practice Partnerships (NNERRP), 2023
- Manuel, E., Creating Networks to Centralize Qualitative Inquiry Through the Work of Learning Recovery and Acceleration, American Evaluation Association (AEA), 2022
State Conference Presentations
- Manuel, E., Luna, S., Data Sprint Bootcamp, American Rescue Plan (ARP) Convening, 2024
- Manuel, E., Bring It On: Qualitative Methodology and Evidence Based Decision Making for District and School Leaders, North Carolina Technology in Education Society (NCTIES) Conference, 2024
- Manuel, E., Mikkelsen, C., ESSER III Investments in North Carolina: A Preliminary Analysis of PRC's 181 and 182, North Carolina Association of Research and Evaluation (NCARE) Conference, 2023
- Corn, J., Halpin, P., Manuel, E., Smith, C., Overhauling the North Carolina Teacher's Working Conditions Survey, Accelerate, Invigorate, Motivate (AIM) Conference, 2023
Selected Publications
- ATR Stakeholder Convening: Connecting Research and Practice. Highlights and Key Takeaways, Manuel, E., 05/25, North Carolina State University, https://go.ncsu/dweevx1
- NC Summer Learning Guide: North Carolina's Summer Learning Story, Office of Learning and Research, 03/24
- ESSER III Investments in North Carolina. A Preliminary Analysis of PRC 181 and PRC 182, Manuel, E., Mikkelsen, C., 01/23, https://doi.org/10.26300/rpq3-y632
- Harnessing Research-Practice Partnerships in the North Carolina Summer Learning Programs, Manuel, E., Thompson, E., 11/23
- Meaning and Measurement. Studying Implementation to Understand Impact for State Sponsored Programs, Fuller, S., Manuel, E., Miesner, R., 11/23
- Examining Teacher and Principal Effectiveness and Longevity on Mitigating the Negative Impacts of the Pandemic, Corn, J., Manuel, E., 01/23
Phone - Home Cell
(910) 368-8191
Training
- Program Evaluation
- Logic Modeling
- Culturally Responsive Evaluation
- Cognitive Interview Training (Fall 2023)
- CITI Training: Human Subjects & Responsible Research (Updated Fall 2025)
- CANVAS-LMS
- School Improvement and Strategic Planning
- Research Practice Partnerships
- Evidence-Based Decision Making
- Multiple Tiers of Student Support (MTSS)
- Response to Interventions (RTI)
- NC Evaluation Data Management System-True North Logic
- Homebase
- EVAAS
- ECATES
- Artisan Teacher-Instructional coaching
- Working on the Work (Schlechty Engagement and Design Team)
- Creating Great Classrooms
- 20/20 Literacy Framework
Position Held
- Research Associate, William and Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, Raleigh, NC, 01/25-Present
- Research Analyst, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Raleigh, NC, 02/22-09/24
- At Risk Coordinator, Lee County Schools, Sanford, NC, 01/19-02/22
- Principal, West Lee Middle School, Lee County Schools, Sanford, NC, 10/17-01/19
- Assistant Principal, Lee County High School, Lee County Schools, Sanford, NC, 02/17-10/17
- Visual Arts Teacher, Cliffdale Elementary School, Cumberland County Schools, Cumberland County, NC, 01/16-02/17
- Assistant Principal, Pinecrest High School, Moore County Schools, Southern Pines, NC, 08/07-07/15
- Moore County Central Office District Intern, Moore County Schools, Carthage, NC, 08/14-05/15
- Administrative Intern, Cumberland County Schools, Fayetteville, NC, 06/06-06/07
Leadership Experience
- MCS Principal Preparation Program, Moore County Schools, 09/14-05/15
- MCS Assistant Principal Leadership Academy, Moore County Schools, 08/07-05/15
- NC Teaching Fellows and NC Principal Fellows Interview Committee, Pembroke University & Fayetteville State University, 02/06 & 02/07
- Westover Sr. High Executive Leadership Committee, Fayetteville, NC, 08/04-05/05
- Westover Sr. High Cultural Arts Department Chair, Fayetteville, NC, 08/04-05/05
- Westover Sr. High Mentor, Fayetteville, NC, 08/03-05/05
- Cumberland County Schools Visual Arts Exhibition Organizer, Fayetteville, NC, 08/01-05/05
- Graduate Assistant, Fayetteville State University Educational Leadership Department, 09/05-05/06
- Visual Arts Teacher, Westover Sr. High School, Fayetteville, NC, 08/98-05/05
Timeline
Research Associate
William and Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation
01.2025 - Current
Research Analyst
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
02.2022 - 09.2024
At Risk Coordinator
Lee County Schools
01.2019 - 02.2022
Principal
West Lee Middle School, Lee County Schools
10.2017 - 01.2019
Assistant Principal
Lee County High School, Lee County Schools
02.2017 - 10.2017
Visual Arts Teacher
Cliffdale Elementary School, Cumberland County Schools
01.2016 - 02.2017
District Intern
Moore County Schools
08.2014 - 05.2015
Assistant Principal
Pinecrest High School, Moore County Schools
08.2007 - 07.2015
Administrative Intern
Cumberland County Schools
06.2006 - 06.2007
Visual Arts Teacher
Westover Sr. High School
08.1998 - 05.2005
Doctorate of Education - Leadership, Policy, and Human Development
North Carolina State University
Master of School Administration - School of Education
Fayetteville State University
Master of Arts and Teaching - Art and Art Education
University of South Carolina
Bachelor of Arts - Art and Art History, Education
Colgate University