Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Community Leadership
Personal Education Vision Statement
Awards Recognition
Timeline
Generic

HEATHER DAHLGREN

Rapid City,SD

Summary

Transformational education leader with proven expertise in Indigenous knowledge and curriculum integration, transformational coaching, and systems thinking. Strategic collaborator who builds capacity in educators and school leaders through data-driven approaches and culturally responsive practices. Champion for equity-centered education with exceptional skills in program development, stakeholder engagement, and relationship cultivation.

Overview

18
18
years of professional experience

Work History

CULTURAL INTEGRATION SPECIALIST

The Liber Institute
07.2021 - Current
  • Led stakeholder engagement through empathy mapping with diverse communities, directly aligning educational initiatives with local values and cultural priorities
  • Designed comprehensive data frameworks to measure program effectiveness across multiple school sites, enabling evidence-based program refinements
  • Developed and facilitated transformative professional development on culturally responsive teaching and equity-centered instruction
  • Established and implemented an in-house teacher coaching program that significantly improved instructional practices
  • Served as key liaison between community members, tribal departments, and school leadership, ensuring authentic community voice in program design and implementation

LEARNING SPECIALIST

Black Hills Special Services Cooperative
07.2020 - 05.2021
  • Created targeted intervention systems for elementary students at Red Cloud Indian School, focusing on individual strengths while supporting growth needs
  • Established positive virtual learning environments that fostered mutual respect and authentic communication
  • Mentored new educators in effective instructional strategies, strengthening the professional learning community
  • Implemented data-driven instruction through regular assessment and responsive planning
  • Facilitated parent partnerships to support educational objectives and behavioral standards
  • Supported struggling students with targeted interventions, resulting in improved academic performance
  • Facilitated impactful Professional Development

SECOND GRADE MATH TEACHER

Canyon Lake Elementary
08.2016 - 05.2020
  • Key developer in transition to mass customized learning, designing effective station rotations and curriculum
  • Created and implemented project-based 'Student Interest Groups' including Woskate Lakota, French, World Cultures, and Movie Making
  • Integrated mindfulness practices and intentional community-building to create safe, uplifting learning environments
  • Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, resulting in improved outcomes for all students
  • Established strong parent-teacher partnerships through consistent, meaningful communication

PRACTICAL LIFE TECHNICIAN

Children's House Montessori
08.2016 - 08.2017
  • Developed and implemented Practical Life curriculum for early childhood learners, focusing on independence and social skill development
  • Created and executed school-wide programs and community events

FIRST GRADE TEACHER

North Elementary
06.2007 - 05.2009
  • Designed culturally responsive curriculum that produced over 1.5 years of literacy growth in each academic year
  • Received recognition from Teach for America for high student engagement and innovative teaching methods
  • Achieved 80%+ mastery of grade-level mathematics standards using investigation-based approaches
  • Implemented positive behavior support strategies that created an inclusive, respectful classroom culture

Education

Bachelor of Science - Cultural Anthropology

University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
05.2007

Associate of Science -

Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

SD Teaching Certification - K-12

Skills

  • Indigenous Knowledge Curriculum Integration
  • Equity-Centered Program Design
  • Instructional Coaching & Mentoring
  • Data-Driven Decision Making
  • Community Asset Mapping
  • Curriculum Development
  • Professional Development Facilitation
  • Educational Leadership Support
  • Performance Analysis & Evaluation
  • Culturally Responsive Teaching
  • Stakeholder Relationship Management
  • Cross-Cultural Communication

Community Leadership

  • School Board Secretary, Children's House Montessori, 2014-2016
  • Teach for America, Mission, SD, 2007-2009
  • Youth Mentor Program, YWCA Berkeley, 2005-2007
  • Vice President, Environmental Science Club, Grossmont College, 2003-2004
  • Rotaract Club Chair, Grossmont College, 2004-2005

Personal Education Vision Statement

Children are sacred. Every child deserves to be seen, valued, and appreciated for their unique gifts and perspectives. Every child is complete-they embody the hopes of their ancestors, and I honor the generations standing behind them. They represent our hope for healing the planet. My role as an educator is to protect their uniqueness, excitement, and curiosity; to ensure their safety; and to nurture their self-belief. I am committed to preserving their hope and wonder while affirming they are deserving, capable, and powerful agents in their own lives and in the world. It is a profound honor to support educational leaders in creating environments where children can truly thrive. By empowering administrators, teachers, and caregivers, I help build systems where children's authentic selves flourish, their voices resonate, and their potential is fully realized.

Awards Recognition

  • Honored by Title 6 for Excellence in Cultural Integration
  • "Wall Street Award" from Teach for America for classroom engagement excellence
  • Outstanding Member Award, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

Timeline

CULTURAL INTEGRATION SPECIALIST

The Liber Institute
07.2021 - Current

LEARNING SPECIALIST

Black Hills Special Services Cooperative
07.2020 - 05.2021

SECOND GRADE MATH TEACHER

Canyon Lake Elementary
08.2016 - 05.2020

PRACTICAL LIFE TECHNICIAN

Children's House Montessori
08.2016 - 08.2017

FIRST GRADE TEACHER

North Elementary
06.2007 - 05.2009

Bachelor of Science - Cultural Anthropology

University of California, Berkeley

Associate of Science -

Grossmont College

SD Teaching Certification - K-12

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HEATHER DAHLGREN