Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Current Organizational Leadership Roles
Timeline
Generic

Helen Payne

Chesterfield,NJ

Summary

Experienced, energetic, collaborative leader with a keen eye for talent and commitment to leadership development; Strategic and independent initiator who knows the value of collaboration and prioritizes teambuilding; Lifelong teacher and learner

Overview

37
37
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Superintendent of Schools

North Hanover Board Of Education
08.2011 - Current
  • Chief executive officer in a public school district serving the children of active duty military personnel stationed at JB-MDL and in the local community; responsible for all aspects of school district operations in a district of 1500 students and 300+ administrative, teaching and support staff members on four sites.
  • Areas of responsibility include personnel management, leadership development, human resources, instruction and program, operations, legal, budgeting and fiscal accountability, grant-making, facilities, crisis management, Board of Education advisement regarding policy, advocacy, community relations and communication.
  • Utilized internal and external expertise to provide comprehensive professional development program based on district goals and assessed needs, as well as individual employee needs.
  • Initiated and developed leadership training and collaboration program for certified school administrators across the U.S. working with military connected students and families.
  • Strengthened community relationships by engaging with stakeholders, and advocating for resources.
  • Promoted a culture of continuous improvement, driving initiatives that improved instructional practices and outcomes across all schools in the district.
  • Developed strong leadership teams within each school to facilitate collaboration, communication, and shared decision-making among staff members.
  • Championed social-emotional learning initiatives throughout the district to promote mental health awareness among staff members and foster positive coping strategies among students during times of stress or change.
  • Implemented rigorous evaluation systems that facilitated feedback on instructional practices and supported professional growth opportunities for educators in the district.
  • Expanded access to extracurricular programs and after-school enrichment opportunities, providing students with diverse avenues for personal growth beyond the classroom setting.

Superintendent/Principal

Avon Board Of Education
08.2005 - 08.2011
  • Served in dual role leadership position for school of 160 students and 30 staff members
  • Increased enrollment by 50%
  • Implemented Professional Learning Community model, increasing student achievement and teacher efficacy
  • Built strong collaborative culture focused on continuous professional learning and improvement
  • Successfully passed construction referendum to fully renovate the 100 year old school facility
  • Developed strong relationships with students, staff and community members
  • Mentored 1/3 of teaching staff members into educational leadership positions (Principals and Superintendents)

Asst. Superintendent- Curriculum and Instruction

Robbinsville Board Of Education
04.2002 - 08.2005
  • Led the Office of Curriculum and Instruction through the transition from a K-8 to a K-12 school district
  • Researched, planned and developed curriculum for all courses in the new high school
  • Implemented a robust professional learning program for teaching staff
  • Initiated, planned and maintained the district's new staff orientation and mentoring program
  • Revised K-8 curricula as needed to meet district goals
  • Observed and evaluated staff throughout the district


Classroom Teacher

Hillsborough Schools, Robbinsville Schools
09.1987 - 04.2002
  • Enhanced student achievement by utilizing diverse teaching methods and adapting to individual learning needs.
  • Boosted student confidence in a "warm demanding" classroom environment.
  • Fostered partnerships with community, university and corporate organizations in order to make connections and opportunities for students outside of the classroom and to meet professional learning needs.
  • Assessed student progress using various tools, adjusting instruction for identified areas of need.
  • Mentored new teachers entering the profession and provided constructive feedback on their teaching methods, promoting growth within the school community.
  • Served as a team leader and school/ district coordinator for grade-level and Science initiatives, coordinating efforts among faculty members to achieve shared goals related to curriculum and instruction improvement.
  • Championed inclusive practices within the classroom setting by accommodating diverse needs of students.
  • Drove student learning by developing strong relationships, establishing clear classroom plans and group objectives, as well as actionable strategies to achieve each goal.

Education

Master of Arts - Educational Leadership

The College of New Jersey
Trenton, NJ

Master of Arts - Environmental Education

Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education

The College of New Jersey
Trenton, NJ

Skills

  • Leadership and Professional Development
  • Strategic Planning
  • Stakeholder Communication
  • Resource Allocation/ Budgeting
  • Curriculum Development
  • Program Initiation, Development and Evaluation
  • Staff Supervision and Evaluation
  • Team Building
  • Change Management
  • Legislative Advocacy

Certification

NJ School Administrator, NJ Principal, NJ Supervisor, NJ Teacher K-8


Current Organizational Leadership Roles

Vice- President, Board of Directors, Military Impacted Schools Association


Board Member, Board of Directors, National Association of Federally Impacted Schools  


Government Relations Committee, New Jersey Association of School Administrators

Timeline

Superintendent of Schools

North Hanover Board Of Education
08.2011 - Current

Superintendent/Principal

Avon Board Of Education
08.2005 - 08.2011

Asst. Superintendent- Curriculum and Instruction

Robbinsville Board Of Education
04.2002 - 08.2005

Classroom Teacher

Hillsborough Schools, Robbinsville Schools
09.1987 - 04.2002

Master of Arts - Educational Leadership

The College of New Jersey

Master of Arts - Environmental Education

Rowan University

Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education

The College of New Jersey

NJ School Administrator, NJ Principal, NJ Supervisor, NJ Teacher K-8


Helen Payne