Heather Appleby
Overland Park,KS
Summary
Educational Administrator with more than 20 years successful experience in education from teaching in a classroom to leading schools. Professional, creative, and flexible with proven skills on improving school culture to increase and positively impact student learning. Diversified skills include building school communities, turning around poorly performing schools, resource management, providing inspiring professional development for staff, and making data driven instructional decisions that keep students at the heart of learning and the school improvement process.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Academic Administrator/Principal; Teacher; Middle School Counselor
K12 Stride Insight Schools Kansas
Spring Hill, Kansas
11.2015 - Current
- School administrator who oversaw all aspects of educational programs at three online schools grades K-12 including an adult school program
- Duties include: providing leadership in all areas promoting greater communication and positive school climate through vision and teamwork, development and monitoring of school improvement plan, resource management, logistical support for 1,000+ students throughout the state of Kansas, management of 70+ licensed teachers and support staff, ensure school policies align with district, state and national legislation/policy, create and attend marketing/social events that promote community awareness of school programs, developed state compliant educator evaluations and procedures, coordinate and manage mandated state assessments for all enrolled students
- During my leadership at ISKS, ISKA and KSVA, student achievement data points (passing rates, graduation rates, state assessments) have increased 10-40%
- Staff surveys also demonstrate 100% improvement in all surveyed areas including overall satisfaction and staff morale.
Academic Administrator/Principal - Blended Learning Site
K12 Stride - Insight School of Arizona
Kingman, Arizona
07.2012 - 11.2015
- Monitored the education program including facilities, budget and logistical support for a school site in Kingman, AZ, that served 200 students daily in a typical face to face school setting
- Major mission included taking a sub-performing site and making complete turnaround
- School improvement plan involved creating a vision and plan with staff, provided staff development and training, implementation of a positive behavior system, increasing communication, creating positive partnerships with community stakeholders, and ensured students achievement increased overall
- Administrative responsibilities included serving as the primary responsible person for company leased property and bringing property up to ADA guidelines overseeing construction improvement plans
- Developed technology plan that included remodel of site, hardware installation, and internet agreements to ensure all students could access online learning systems at school site.
PBIS Coordinator
Peach Springs Unified School District
Peach Springs, Arizona
07.2009 - 06.2012
- Originally began teaching at this K-8 school located on the Hualapai Indian Reservation near the Grand Canyon which allowed for a rich, culturally diverse educational experience
- While teaching grade 2, I completed my internship and remaining credits for principal certification in 2010
- I was then hired to coordinate the Positive Behavior and Intervention System (PBIS) with duties typical of an assistant principal and dean of students
- During Superintendent absence, I served as primary educational administrator
- Attended over 140 hours of school improvement training and conferences each year of employment including: National Institute of School Leadership Executive Development Program (NISL) graduate, Positive Behavior Intervention Systems training, Arizona Professional Development Leadership Academy, Instructional Alignment Pacing Guides, AZ Counts Trainer, School Improvement Regional Conferences, Response to Intervention Strategies, Common Core Standards, Beyond Textbooks and Galileo/ATI training
- Other responsibilities included creating instructional alignment pacing guides for grades K-2, providing school-wide professional development, teacher evaluation took and the PBIS Staff Handbook to include behavior program for entire school, coordinating school community events and assemblies
- Worked closely with school resource officer and tribal council to decrease behavior incidents
- Great accomplishment - Lowered absenteeism over 50% and decreased office disciplinary referral rate from 6.23% to 3.55% in one school year
Behavioral Health Technician III/Family Involvement Specialist
Mohave Mental Health, Inc.
Kingman, Arizona
02.2008 - 06.2009
- Provided case management, counseling and skills training services to children and families in Mohave County
- Taught Matrix Substance Abuse Program
- CPR & First Aid certified, multiple behavioral health education trainings and conferences attended.
Director
Emmanuel Christian Academy
Kingman, Arizona
06.2007 - 01.2008
- Oversaw and coordinated all daily operations of a private, parochial school
- At the time of hire, the board did not have a working budget which I quickly developed and implemented
- I hired and developed a cooperative and positive staff that worked well together
- We increased student enrollment by 31% in five months; however, this did not result in income capable of supporting the director salary
- I voluntarily took no salary for one month and helped transition the position to a volunteer director.
Teacher
Kingman Unified School District
Kingman, Arizona
08.2006 - 06.2007
- Ensured students achieved mastery of fifth grade learning objectives in a differentiated classroom
- Worked cooperatively with students, parents, and staff
- Served as a Public Education Agent, district wide
- Congress of Educators Grant Winner 2007.
Teacher
Young Scholar's Academy Charter School
Bullhead City, Arizona
08.1998 - 07.2006
- Planned and taught innovative lessons in all subject areas, including P.E., music, art, computers, Spanish and sign language
- Taught grades 1, 4, and multi-level room 4-6 during school years
- Thorough knowledge of Arizona Academic Standards, grades K-6
- Assisted principal in hiring and training of new staff members
- Coordinated school Spelling Bees, After School Program, Mohave Education Festival Participants, President's Awards, and extensive field trips, including 'The Ultimate Field Trip' to Florida
- Served on evaluation and curriculum adoption boards
- 100% inclusion of children with disabilities in the classroom
- Developed and implemented special education department for YSA
- Trained staff in Charter Starter and special education law
- Wrote and evaluated all individual education programs and chaired IEP meetings
- Served on YSA Governing Board two years, elected by peers
- Served as YSA Parent Teacher Association President, Treasurer, and Member
- Earned awards: 'Who's Who Among Modern American Educators' 2007 & 2005, NSSEA 'Be Your Best' Teacher award and grant 2005, Worldstrides Golden Apple Award for Educators 2002, Arizona Advisory Council on Environmental Education Grant Winner 2000.
Education
Master of Education - Educational Leadership -
Northern Arizona University
12.2002
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education -
Northern Arizona University
12.1997
Associate of Arts - Liberal Studies -
Mohave Community College
05.1995
Skills
- Advanced
Personal Information
Hobbies: Traveling throughout the North American Continent visiting National Parks and finding local adventures! Avid reader - professional journals/books to classics to mystery novels. Swimming - competed in the Lifeguard Olympics in my younger years
References
Available upon request
Timeline
Academic Administrator/Principal; Teacher; Middle School Counselor
K12 Stride Insight Schools Kansas
11.2015 - Current
Academic Administrator/Principal - Blended Learning Site
K12 Stride - Insight School of Arizona
07.2012 - 11.2015
PBIS Coordinator
Peach Springs Unified School District
07.2009 - 06.2012
Behavioral Health Technician III/Family Involvement Specialist
Mohave Mental Health, Inc.
02.2008 - 06.2009
Director
Emmanuel Christian Academy
06.2007 - 01.2008
Teacher
Kingman Unified School District
08.2006 - 06.2007
Teacher
Young Scholar's Academy Charter School
08.1998 - 07.2006
Master of Education - Educational Leadership -
Northern Arizona University
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education -
Northern Arizona University
Associate of Arts - Liberal Studies -
Mohave Community College
Similar Profiles
Katherine SafarikKatherine Safarik
Manager at K12/STRIDEManager at K12/STRIDE
Danielle YoungerDanielle Younger
Academic Counselor at Stride-K12Academic Counselor at Stride-K12
Joshua FitzpatrickJoshua Fitzpatrick
Special Education Compliance Specialist at Stride K12 LearningSpecial Education Compliance Specialist at Stride K12 Learning