Franci Bell
Head Of School
Johns Island,South Carolina
Summary
Strategic and visionary leader with a proven track record of leading teams to achieve successful goals. Relationship-driven, I excel in implementing and maintaining education programs and services, serving as a trusted resource to all school constituents and the executive board. Adept at maintaining staffing and resources to meet program objectives within budget, I leverage research-based interventions, strategies, and instruction, and analyze data to drive strategic initiatives, academic achievement, social-emotional growth, staff retention and fundraising goals. With extensive experience in mentoring staff, integrating ideas, and customizing approaches to support specific needs and goals, I am a conscientious professional committed to the well-being of individuals and families. As a well-rounded expert in fundraising and organizational development, I bring a strategic vision to every endeavor, ensuring sustainable growth and success.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
Work History
Head of School
The Cooper School
7 2016 - Current
- Maintained and fostered a positive and collaborative school culture, including building deep relationships with families, staff, students, and community stakeholders based on trust, consistency, and accountability
- Participated in developing three long-term strategic plans, contributing to the school’s vision and growth trajectory
- Successfully led the school through two accreditations, ensuring adherence to rigorous standards of educational excellence
- Received a rating of “Superior,” the highest rating available, in the accreditation evaluations, validating the school’s commitment to high-quality education and best practices
- Designed and opened The Cooper School Middle School, taking the school from a K-5 to a K-8
- Managed a 3-million-dollar budget, ensuring responsible allocation of funds for school growth and development
- Organized and implemented the first TCS Capital Campaign, raising over $300,000 to support new school initiatives
- Developed and implemented three new revenue streams for the school, including afterschool, summer camp, and volunteer hours, which (to date) has brought in additional revenue of over $150,000 to enhance school resources
- Purchased and implemented TCS’s first software system to track enrollment, admissions, and development, streamlining administrative processes
- Developed and implemented programs that resulted in the lowest attrition rate and the highest enrollment in TCS’s history
- Provided training and mentorship to the new Director of Admissions on tours, admissions processes, and data tracking
- Maintained regular communication with the Board, ensuring transparency and accountability
- Played a key role in marketing strategy development, enhancing the school’s brand presence and visibility in the community
- Led the development of a new website, creating an engaging online platform to showcase the school’s philosophy, programs, and achievements
- Led the recruitment of talented educators and fostering a high-performing teaching team
- Acted as the Instructional Leader, making all curriculum and assessment decisions based on data-driven insights
- Continued to provide dynamic and cognitive coaching to teachers, facilitating formal and informal goal-setting meetings to nurture continuous growth
- Developed and led weekly professional development meetings around social-emotional learning, academic research-based practices, classroom management practices, parent communication, and community building.
Director of Instruction and Operations (formerly Associate Director)
The Cooper School
07.2011 - 07.2016
- Developed coaching systems and provided dynamic and cognitive coaching to teachers, fostering continued professional growth
- Developed and led weekly professional development meetings to ensure continued academic excellence and positive school culture
- Gathered and presented data to staff to influence data-driven instruction, ensuring practical, impactful, and tailored teaching approaches
- Coordinated and developed curriculum for grades K-5 ensuring academic excellence, proper pacing, and alignment with learning objectives and national standards
- Collaborated with the Head of School to identify fundraising and grant opportunities contributing to the school’s financial sustainability
- Provided daily leadership and supervision to staff and students, fostering a safe and engaging learning environment
- Contributed to the establishment of TCS’s first Kindergarten class in 2011
- Oversaw various aspects of school management, including teacher recruitment and retention, curriculum development, building security, and parent communication.
Education
BS in Human Development and Family Studies -
Cornell University
Ithaca, New YorkJD - undefined
University of South Carolina
Columbia, South CarolinaMS in Curriculum and Instruction - undefined
WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY
Salt Lake City, UtahSkills
Leadership coaching and development
Teacher coaching and development
Curriculum planning, program development, and implementation
Student-centered, project-based instruction
Strategic leadership
Fundraising strategies
Legal Compliance
Enrollment Management
Visionary Thinking
Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging
Problem-solving abilities
Team building
Problem-solving aptitude
Self-starter
Certification
Certificate in School Management and Leadership, Harvard Business School Online
Presentations
Transforming Conflict: A Roadmap For Elevating Outcomes By Changing What You Can Control - NAIS, 2024
Affiliations
- National Association of Independent Schools
- Palmetto Association of Independent Schools, Board Member
- Progressive Education Network
Timeline
Director of Instruction and Operations (formerly Associate Director)
The Cooper School
07.2011 - 07.2016
Head of School
The Cooper School
7 2016 - Current
BS in Human Development and Family Studies -
Cornell University
JD - undefined
University of South Carolina
MS in Curriculum and Instruction - undefined
WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY
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