Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

James Cantu Ed.D

Santa Fe,NM

Summary

Stakeholder-focused Educational leader trained and versed extensively in both education and performance backgrounds. A candidate well-versed in collaborating with both theatre staff, actors and technicians and their unique training requirements, as well as students and faculty from traditional educational settings in order to promote instructional and academic success. Easily able to work within both hemispheres of the brain during creation. On the one hand, an excellent analytical mind capable of data entry or analysis with commitment to streamlining educational outcomes. On the other hand, the candidate is just as comfortable providing stakeholders with the strategies and procedures necessary to blossom in their creations. Though not concurrent, the candidate benefits from deep study of both the fields of Theatre Performance and Educational Instructional Design. Creating a unique artistic blend of disciplines, trained in providing big picture vision or equally able to provide meticulous attention to detail as required by the project.

As an educational leader, the candidate has a record of successful design and implementation of educational programs and services well received by the community stakeholders. By serving as a trusted resource to patrons, school personnel, and executive boards the candidate has earned valuable insight into the politics which make educations move. Possessing a successful record of empowering staff while procuring resources to achieve program objectives within budget. By leveraging research-based academic interventions, strategies and instruction through judicious analysis of data the candidate has successfully achieved positive outcomes for students of all age levels, vocations, and advocations.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Director of Assessment and Accountability

Santa Fe Public Schools
Santa Fe, NM
07.2022 - Current
  • Built strong relationships with stakeholders to foster collaboration and ensure successful implementation of initiatives.
  • Evaluated program effectiveness using data-driven metrics, leading to continuous improvement efforts.
  • Implemented technology solutions to streamline workflows and enhance data security in the assessment process.
  • Enhanced team performance by providing ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
  • Developed innovative solutions to address gaps in existing assessment tools and methodologies.
  • Collaborated with educators for effective assessment design, ensuring alignment with curriculum objectives.
  • Ensured compliance with relevant regulations through rigorous monitoring and timely reporting of assessment results.
  • Championed a culture of excellence within the department, promoting high standards for assessment practices.
  • Carried out personnel management activities associated with direct staff supervision.
  • Monitored testing sites and regulation adherence.
  • Trained teachers on effective teaching techniques, classroom management strategies, and behavior modification.
  • Communicated with parents to encourage active parental participation in education.
  • Observed teachers, documented activities and implemented improvement plans to optimize classrooms.
  • Kept school in full compliance with established policies, legal requirements and student safety standards.

Director of After School Operations (21st Century)

Santa Fe Public Schools
Santa Fe, NM
11.2021 - 05.2022
  • Optimized staff performance by designing comprehensive training programs tailored to individual needs. District completion rates have increased by on average by 7-12% since implementing new methods.
  • Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
  • Strengthened internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Enhanced learning experiences by incorporating specialized tools and resources tailored for special education students.
  • Supervised teachers to plan interdisciplinary units that connected subjects and promoted deeper understanding among students.
  • Organized extracurricular activities such as clubs or field trips that enriched students'' learning experiences outside of traditional classroom settings.
  • Maintained accurate records of student progress, attendance, and behavior to facilitate ongoing communication with parents about their child''s educational journey.
  • Designed detailed learning plans for struggling students based on test, homework and assignment records.

Reading Intervention Teacher

Santa Fe Public Schools
Santa Fe, NM
08.2021 - 05.2022
  • Developed strong rapport with students by building trust through consistent encouragement, feedback, and respect for individual learning styles.
  • Collaborated with colleagues to develop effective reading intervention programs for struggling students.
  • Designed and implemented engaging lesson plans that incorporated diverse learning materials, such as multimedia tools and real-world resources.
  • Improved overall literacy rates by 15% implementing research-based reading intervention strategies.
  • Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
  • Attended professional development workshops to stay current on best practices in reading intervention, using new knowledge to enhance curriculum effectiveness.
  • Led school-wide literacy initiatives, collaborating with other educators to promote campus cultures of continuous improvement in reading proficiency.
  • Utilized data-driven assessments to monitor student progress and adjust instructional approaches accordingly.

Fifth Grade Teacher

Santa Fe Public Schools
Santa Fe, NM
10.2018 - 05.2020
  • Enhanced students'' reading comprehension by incorporating engaging literature and targeted discussion questions.
  • Improved parent-teacher communication through regular progress reports and open lines of communication, strengthening support for student success.
  • Collaborated with other teachers to develop interdisciplinary units, fostering well-rounded educational events for students.
  • Fostered strong relationships with students and their families through home visits, conferences, and community events, cultivating supportive educational networks.
  • Mentored new teachers on effective teaching strategies, contributing to overall staff development and school improvement efforts.
  • Implemented project-based learning activities that connected curriculum content to real-world situations, enhancing relevance for students.
  • Taught core subjects of math, science, technology, and history.
  • Directed class discussions to spark conversation about key concepts, complex problems and overarching themes.
  • Retained student interest and maximized receptive learning.
  • Created lesson plans to correlate with state curriculum standards and devised educational programs to meet educational objectives.
  • Developed distance learning tools and curriculum and supported faculty with implementation. *
  • Utilized distance learning technology to instruct students remotely.
  • Contributed to planning appropriate and engaging lessons for both classroom and distance learning applications.
  • Implemented teaching styles and methods best suited to distance learning and specifically geared to individual student needs.

High School Director of Theater

Ruidoso Municipal Schools
Ruidoso, NM
07.2018 - 10.2018
  • Cultivated relationships with local businesses and organizations for sponsorship opportunities, increasing funding for theater programs.
  • Created inclusive environments which encouraged diverse perspectives from both cast members and audiences alike.
  • Mentored emerging theater professionals through workshops, lectures, and one-on-one guidance, supporting their career growth.
  • Directed actors in character development, resulting in award-winning performances and positive reviews.
  • Facilitated educational outreach initiatives by organizing school matinees and talk-back sessions with community stakeholders.
  • Developed comprehensive rehearsal schedules to maximize time efficiency while maintaining focus on artistic quality.
  • Developed appropriate stories and ideas for programming to engage target audiences and introduce stakeholders into wealth of opportunities found in improvisational theater.

Fifth Grade Teacher

Ruidoso Municipal Schools
Ruidoso , NM
08.2014 - 05.2018

State of New Mexico rating of EXEMPLARY for three consecutive years.

2016-2018.

  • Ranking earned by top 18% of educators in New Mexico.

Actor (Groundlings Assistant Director)

Bless The Mark Players Sterling Ren. Festival
Sterling, NY
03.2011 - 08.2013
  • Developed students'' acting skills through targeted exercises and constructive feedback, leading to increased confidence on stage.
  • Mentored novice actors by providing guidance on performance preparation, monologue selection, and industry networking opportunities.
  • Evaluated student performances effectively, offering valuable insights for improvement. Provided scaffolding while maintaining high creative standards for young actors.
  • Organized and directed theatrical productions, showcasing young professional talents.
  • Established safe spaces for self-expression by cultivating open-minded professional environments where all voices were valued and respected.

West Middle School Musical Director

Auburn Enlarged City School District
Auburn, NY
01.2005 - 04.2012
  • Directed musical performances by conducting comprehensive rehearsals and providing constructive feedback to performers.
  • Mentored up-and-coming actors through private lessons, fostering their growth as artists and performers.
  • Cultivated positive working environment within large and small ensembles by promoting fair and ethical work practices which welcomed open communication amongst all members.
  • Selected appropriate repertoire for ensembles, considering skill level of student actors and overall vision for performances.
  • Continuously evaluated performance metrics and audience feedback to inform future programming decisions, ensuring continued success and growth for theatre company.
  • Increased audience engagement by implementing innovative and immersive theatre experiences.
  • Shows include: Annie Get Your Gun, Carnival, Fiddler on the Roof, Pajama Game, Guys and Dolls, Annie, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Oklahoma
  • Streamlined rehearsal processes by implementing efficient scheduling strategies and communication methods.
  • Negotiated contracts with designers, technicians, actors, and other key personnel to ensure smooth operations behind scenes.
  • Evaluated scripts to identify creative strategies and resource needs.
  • Found appropriate stories and ideas for programming to engage target audiences and hook advertisers.
  • Directed work of lighting and sound crews to coordinate efficient production operations.

Education

Ph.D. - Curriculum And Instruction

Northcentral University
San Diego, CA
03.2019

Master of Science - Instructional Technology

Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
05.2014

Master of Science - Education

SUNY College At Cortland
Cortland, NY
05.2010

Bachelor of Arts - Performance Emphasis

University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS
05.1999

Skills

  • Instructor coaching (Acting Professionals 6 yrs)
  • Teacher Training (3 yrs)
  • Program Management (10 yrs)
  • Student Counseling/instruction at all age levels from Elementary to Adult (10 yrs)
  • Educational leadership (4 yrs)
  • Curricular implementation (10 yrs)
  • Curriculum Development (10 yrs)
  • Public Speaking experience (10 yrs)
  • Content Development Instructional Design using both ADDIE and ARCS frameworks
  • Qualitative and Quantitative Research Background

Certification

Certified Instructor New Mexico for General Education

  • New Mexico Teaching License - K-8, Theater K-12, Technology K-12

Timeline

Director of Assessment and Accountability

Santa Fe Public Schools
07.2022 - Current

Director of After School Operations (21st Century)

Santa Fe Public Schools
11.2021 - 05.2022

Reading Intervention Teacher

Santa Fe Public Schools
08.2021 - 05.2022

Fifth Grade Teacher

Santa Fe Public Schools
10.2018 - 05.2020

High School Director of Theater

Ruidoso Municipal Schools
07.2018 - 10.2018

Fifth Grade Teacher

Ruidoso Municipal Schools
08.2014 - 05.2018

Actor (Groundlings Assistant Director)

Bless The Mark Players Sterling Ren. Festival
03.2011 - 08.2013

West Middle School Musical Director

Auburn Enlarged City School District
01.2005 - 04.2012

Ph.D. - Curriculum And Instruction

Northcentral University

Master of Science - Instructional Technology

Syracuse University

Master of Science - Education

SUNY College At Cortland

Bachelor of Arts - Performance Emphasis

University of Southern Mississippi

Certified Instructor New Mexico for General Education

  • New Mexico Teaching License - K-8, Theater K-12, Technology K-12
James Cantu Ed.D