Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Hobbies and Interests
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Julie Anderson

Cheshire,CT

Summary

Dedicated and experienced independent school leader with a proven track record of empowering young people and supporting educators in secondary and middle grades settings. Passionate about languages and cultures and fostering global awareness, I utilize my experience as a Spanish teacher to bring the world into the classroom.

As an educator, I believe in anti-racism and equip students with the tools to dismantle systems of oppression. My expertise includes:

Dynamic Leadership: Fostering a mission-driven environment through strategic planning and collaboration.
Curriculum Innovation: Designing and delivering engaging instruction that sparks curiosity and growth.
Empowering Instruction: Utilizing performance feedback and professional development models to cultivate excellence in both students and educators.
Holistic Student Support: Fostering strong relationships with students, families, faculty, staff, and trustees to ensure student success.
Helping students become global citizens with the knowledge and courage to create a more just world is my driving force.

Overview

30
30
years of professional experience

Work History

Head of School

Cheshire Academy
07.2018 - Current
  • Developed positive school culture by fostering strong relationships among faculty, staff, students, and parents
  • Increased student enrollment by effectively marketing school's unique programs and extracurricular offerings
  • Defined and implemented Academy brand
  • Instituted tuition reset, increasing accessibility and affordability
  • Presented on tuition reset strategy at TABS and in EMA podcast series
  • Increased enrollment in 9th grade by more than 40%
  • Increase 9th grade domestic boarding enrollment by 50%
    Increase student retention rate to 95%
  • Ensured fiscal responsibility through careful budget management and resource allocation
  • Led accreditation process for institution, successfully maintaining high standards of excellence in education
  • Established effective communication channels between administration, faculty, staff, parents, and students
  • Guided strategic planning efforts for long-term visioning and goal-setting within school community
  • Spearheaded fundraising initiatives to secure additional resources for academic programs and facility improvements
  • Closed 7-figure gifts, multiple six-figure gifts in capital campaign
  • Secured first Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA) loan in school’s history
  • Increased Annual Fund by 20%
  • Enhanced campus facilities with resurfacing of existing turf track and field, addition of new turf field and tennis courts with plans underway for athletic facility and community gathering space
  • Diversified hiring practices to create more inclusive faculty that better reflects diversity of student population, with a 25% increase in faculty diversity, including in leadership roles
  • Improved staff retention rates by fostering culture of collaboration, support, and ongoing professional development
  • Successfully managed crises situations on campus while maintaining transparency among stakeholders
  • Declared antiracism as central to vision and values of Cheshire Academy
  • Instituted policies and procedures for both internal and external stakeholders with antiracist lens
  • Recruited and trained more than 20 trustees, with increase in racial and gender diversity
  • Successfully navigated COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining 98% of international student enrollment and while operating hybrid academic and full athletic and performing arts program
  • Increased enrollment in full International Baccalaureate Program Diploma candidates to one-third of graduating class

Interim Head of School

Cheshire Academy
Cheshire, CT
09.2017 - 06.2018
  • Led smooth Head of School transition by ensuring clear communication and maintaining a positive school environment during leadership change
  • Achieved budgetary sustainability by implementing a strategic workforce reduction to address financial challenges
  • Promoted partnership by fostering collaboration across all departments, strengthened relationships with feeder schools and consultants, and built partnerships with alumni and families for long-term school success
  • Enhanced communication establishing effective communication channels to keep administration, faculty, staff, parents, and students informed and engaged
  • Successfully navigated on-campus and external crisis situations while maintaining transparency with stakeholders
  • Championed fiscal responsibility by monitoring overhead expenses, preparing accurate budgets, and strategically allocating resources to ensure financial efficiency
  • Empowered faculty and staff development by planning and implementing professional development programs to enhance staff knowledge and skills.

Associate Head of School for Academic Affairs/Dean of Faculty

Cheshire Academy
07.2012 - 09.2017
  • Responsible for recruiting, hiring, training and mentoring of faculty
  • Instituted Folio software program for faculty professional growth
  • Conducted classroom observations and teacher evaluations
  • Instituted 1:1 iPad Program
  • Instituted Writing Center at Cheshire Academy
  • Collaborated with all members of Administrative team in regards to Admission, Athletics, Development, College Counseling, Communications & Marketing, Community Life and Technology
  • Chaired Academic Committee and bring forth initiatives for curriculum development and academic programming
  • Led all faculty in-service days and biweekly faculty meetings, including opening of school and end of year faculty preparation days
  • Communicated student academic progress with students, families and advisors and create action plans to improve student performance
  • Oversaw International Baccalaureate Program, Roxbury Academic Support Program, English Language Learners Program and all curriculum for grades 9-PG
  • Report to Board of Trustees at Board of Trustees meetings
  • Coordinate Program Committee for Board of Trustees.
  • Enhanced school reputation by developing and implementing innovative academic programs

Middle School Head

Cheshire Academy
07.2010 - 06.2012
  • Responsible for recruiting and training collaborative middle school team
  • Completed summer curriculum review which enhanced overall academic and social programming for students in grades 6-8
  • Conducted all teacher and staff observations and evaluations
  • Communicated with students and families regarding all disciplinary and academic concerns
  • Coordinated academic transition from middle school to high school
  • Taught 7th and 8th grade Spanish

Modern Language Department Chair & Administrative Intern

Cheshire Academy
06.2008 - 06.2010
  • Reviewed potential applicant resumes and assisted in hiring of language faculty
  • Provided support for differentiated instruction, classroom management and lesson planning
  • Conducted classroom observations and evaluations for language faculty
  • Served as member of Academic Curriculum Committee
  • Participated in Curriculum Review Committee which brought International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme to school
  • Member of National Honor Society Faculty Council
  • Member of College Counseling and Head of School Search Committees
  • Enhanced department reputation by implementing innovative teaching methods and curriculum improvements
  • Spearheaded interdisciplinary collaborations to foster well-rounded educational experience for students

Modern Language Department Faculty Member

Cheshire Academy
02.2003 - 06.2008
  • Spanish teacher of first through AP year of Spanish language
  • Academic Advisor
  • Lead Advisor to Class of 2007 and 2011
  • Coordinator of Discovery Week trips to Spain in 2005 and 2009.
  • Developed innovative curriculum materials, resulting in increased student engagement and understanding of complex topics
  • Assessed student performance through variety of evaluation methods, providing constructive feedback for continuous improvement
  • Implemented differentiated instruction techniques to accommodate diverse learning styles, ensuring all students had equal opportunities for success
  • Established positive relationships with parents and guardians through regular communication, fostering collaboration in support of student growth and achievement
  • Selected and developed instructional material and planned instruction to enhance student learning
  • Modified instructional methods and strategies to meet diverse student needs
  • Created assignments to encourage student learning and develop communication skills and higher-order thinking
  • Established and maintained inclusive, collegial and collaborative culture within classroom

High School Spanish Teacher

North Haven High School
09.1997 - 12.1999
  • Developed students' language proficiency by employing immersive teaching techniques in classroom
  • Enhanced cultural understanding among students through incorporation of authentic materials and real-life scenarios
  • Provided personalized feedback to students, fostering improvement in their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills
  • Established positive learning environment by setting clear expectations and maintaining consistent classroom management strategies
  • Participated in professional development opportunities to stay current on educational trends and research related to second-language acquisition
  • Promoted global citizenship by introducing students to various Hispanic cultures, customs, and traditions through engaging lesson content
  • Developed and implemented variety of instructional strategies to meet diverse needs of students

Middle School Spanish Teacher

Dag Hammarskjold Middle School
09.1994 - 06.1997
  • Enhanced student comprehension by utilizing diverse teaching methodologies tailored to individual learning styles
  • Boosted students' cultural awareness by incorporating authentic materials and real-world scenarios in lessons
  • Promoted language retention through engaging projects and activities that reinforced vocabulary and grammar concepts
  • Assisted struggling learners with targeted interventions, leading to increased confidence and academic achievement
  • Enriched student experiences with travel abroad, deepening their connection to the Spanish language and culture
  • Fostered a respectful classroom atmosphere where all students felt included, comfortable expressing their thoughts, and motivated to participate actively in discussions

Education

M.S., Elementary and Middle Grades Education -

Southern CT State University
New Haven, CT
05.1998

M.A., Liberal Studies -

Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT
05.1996

B.A., Spanish Language and Literature -

Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT
05.1993

C.A.S. in Educational Leadership - Educational Leadership

Southern CT State University
New Haven, CT

Skills

  • Visionary Leadership
  • Collaborative Leadership
  • Equity and Inclusion Champion
  • Resource Development
  • Strategic Enrollment Growth
  • Teacher Coaching and Development
  • Effective Problem-Solver
  • Curriculum Innovation and Implementation
  • Fiscal Management

Accomplishments

Led Transformation at Cheshire Academy:

  • Spearheaded Antiracist Initiative: Defined Cheshire Academy as an antiracist school, established a clear vision and core values aligned with its mission, and implemented inclusive policies and procedures.
  • Championed Diversity & Inclusion: Increased faculty diversity by 25%, including leadership roles, and recruited a more diverse board (20+ trustees) with increased racial and gender representation.
  • Boosted Enrollment & Accessibility: Instituted a tuition reset strategy, significantly increasing affordability and attracting the largest 9th grade class (domestic boarding enrollment up 50%) in over two decades.
  • Ensured Continuity & Innovation: Navigated the COVID-19 pandemic successfully, maintaining high international student enrollment (98%) while operating a hybrid academic, athletic, and performing arts program. Secured successful re-accreditation by NEASC and led the update of the school's strategic plan.

Hobbies and Interests

  • Cooking
  • Reading
  • Travel
  • Arts

Languages

Spanish
Professional Working
Italian
Professional Working

Timeline

Head of School

Cheshire Academy
07.2018 - Current

Interim Head of School

Cheshire Academy
09.2017 - 06.2018

Associate Head of School for Academic Affairs/Dean of Faculty

Cheshire Academy
07.2012 - 09.2017

Middle School Head

Cheshire Academy
07.2010 - 06.2012

Modern Language Department Chair & Administrative Intern

Cheshire Academy
06.2008 - 06.2010

Modern Language Department Faculty Member

Cheshire Academy
02.2003 - 06.2008

High School Spanish Teacher

North Haven High School
09.1997 - 12.1999

Middle School Spanish Teacher

Dag Hammarskjold Middle School
09.1994 - 06.1997

M.S., Elementary and Middle Grades Education -

Southern CT State University

M.A., Liberal Studies -

Wesleyan University

B.A., Spanish Language and Literature -

Wesleyan University

C.A.S. in Educational Leadership - Educational Leadership

Southern CT State University

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