Kayla R. Johnson
Senior School Leader & Education Consultant
Miami,FL
Summary
Results-driven professional offering 11 years of experience in instruction, curriculum, assessment, and professional development. Expert in data-based decision execution and design thinking. Detail-oriented and energetic individual with excellent communication and leadership skills.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Senior School Leader
KIPP Miami
Miami, FL
08.2022 - Current
- Design educational program models based on regional context, people-first leadership principles, and data-based research to benefit students and organization.
- Coach and develop other principals towards academic outcomes through KIPP Leadership Competency Model.
- Collaborated with achievement directors to ensure K-4 curriculum and assessments meet rigor of academic standards.
- Work closely with organizational leadership to guide strategy.
- Foster work culture of collaboration and inclusion to increase morale and reduce turnover.
- Created professional development plan to cultivate and advance skillsets of all employees.
Education Consultant
I.D.E.A. Education Consulting
Miami, FL
08.2021 - Current
- Establish leadership development for school/network leaders, on-going virtual consulting sessions, leadership exercises, consultant site visits, and crisis support.
- Collaborate with school officials to assess areas for improvement in curricula, classrooms, data evaluation, and assessment in Washington, D.C. and California.
- Provide recommendations for modification, development or improvement of educational programs to senior administrators.
- Managed leaders towards programmatic curriculum vision which resulted in 35% increase in literacy proficiency for special education population
- Developed and implemented differentiated literacy data strategy to address Reading and Writing proficiency gaps
Successor Principal & Founding Principal
KIPP Miami
Miami, FL
08.2020 - Current
- Planned and implemented Math and Literacy curriculum shifts for 100% remote school then oversaw transition of curriculum to hybrid modality through instructional technology
- Created school vision, developed school strategy and priorities for student success, and hired all staff in alignment with school values as founding principal
- Monitored and evaluated Literacy and Math curriculum to maintain high-quality performance objectives and standards.
- Established positive, stimulating learning environment for students and exciting education-focused setting for teachers.
- Coordinated yearly operations and staff budget, tracked expenses and documented actions.
- Rated 98th percentile of all KIPP schools nationally for instructional culture according to TNTP Insight survey and above national averages on 11 indicators including professional development, instructional planning for student growth, and leadership
- Highest performing elementary school in literacy proficiency and math growth over time
Founding Assistant Principal - Lower School
KIPP Miami
Miami, FL
07.2018 - 07.2020
- Partnered with principal to administer school program in alignment with vision and goals, providing positive, high-expectation academic environment.
- Trained teachers on effective teaching techniques, classroom management strategies and behavior support.
- Supported special education department by developing programs and protocols for students with special needs.
- Facilitated continued education for teaching staff through implementation of quality curriculum training focused on pacing, sequencing, and lesson plan modifications
- Increased literacy benchmarks by 57% through instructional strategies and feedback.
Assistant Principal - Upper School
KIPP Schools
Newark, NJ
08.2017 - 08.2018
- Oversaw schedule management and development for student and staff orientation.
- Supervised and evaluated teaching and support staff through instructional leadership and professional development.
- Analyzed effectiveness of curriculum already in place and made data-driven shifts to Literacy and Math scope and sequence for more equitable student outcomes.
- Monitored curriculum implementation, academic rigor, and instructional practices
- Built and maintained positive relationships with diverse stakeholders, such as parents, school volunteers and outside agencies.
- Managed team of 12 educators to increase literacy proficiency by 37% in one year and show highest growth in third grade
English Tutor
Mighty Writers El Futuro
Philadelphia, PA
08.2015 - 08.2017
- Individually tutored 5-7 English Language Learners spanning grades 2-8 in order to improve their writing skills and produce monthly writing projects
- Assisted workshop leaders in implementing writing workshop curricula for 25 ELL students in Mighty Academy afterschool program
- Infused educational technology into writing workshops to help students develop word processing skills and create personal portfolios
Manager of Teacher Leadership Development
Teach For America
Philadelphia, PA
08.2014 - 07.2017
- Managed team of 36 corps members in courses including English, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Spanish, and Special Education.
- Coached and developed teachers to establish foundations for effective classrooms: ambitious visions, effective classroom management, rigorous academic goals, long term unit plans, and rigorous assessments.
- Tracked and analyzed student data, corps member feedback, and regional data to inform coaching practices and regional programming.
- Designed and facilitated K-12 program curriculum for over 150 corps members in Greater Philadelphia region promoting leadership development.
- Assisted leadership teams with building shared beliefs and attitudes across organizational structures..
- Co-led Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness (DEI) committee for staff of 22 focusing on issues of identity, class, power, privilege, and educational landscape in Philadelphia that resulted in increased staff culture and retention according to the Bellwether Education Partners Survey where we were above national averages on six Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion indicators
- Selected as Advisor to the National Managing Director of Coaching to redesign the national coaching model and onboarding processes for the entire organization
Corps Member Advisor - Instructional Coach
Teach For America
Chicago, IL
06.2014 - 08.2015
- Coached 12 classroom teachers to achieve significant academic gains through observations, feedback, and planning cycles aligned with Teaching As Leadership framework.
- Led lesson planning sessions, virtual professional learning communities, and modeled effective lesson execution to develop teacher skill around execution of content-specific instruction.
- Managed restructuring and rewriting of literacy curriculum for K-8 teachers due to proven leadership on school team
Lead English & Writing Teacher
Miami Dade Public Schools
Miami, FL
07.2012 - 07.2014
- Developed and implemented a rigorous, creative, and culturally relevant curriculum to approximately 300 8th graders over the course of two years
- Strategically implemented differentiated small group instruction based on students’ comprehension, fluency, and vocabulary data to target and track student deficiencies that led to 1.8 years reading growth on average
- Led students to produce 85% learning gains on the high stakes Florida Comprehensive Assessment StateTest
Grade Level Chair
Jose de Diego Middle School
Miami, FL
08.2013 - 06.2014
- Created and implemented pilot 8th grade Mentorship Committee program targeting 15 high-risk youth in need of guidance and support that resulted in increased student attendance and improved academic grades in Reading, Writing, Math, and Science.
- Managed 13 lead teachers to ensure upkeep of efficient and effective 8th grade leadership team.
- Developed assessments and user polls to evaluate course effectiveness, altering content and delivery to achieve student learning goals.
Corps Member
Teach For America
Miami, FL
06.2012 - 06.2014
- Sue Lehmann Excellence in Teaching Award Regional Semi-Finalist
- Co-facilitated professional development sessions that focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness in classroom
- Awarded 2014 Teach For America Miami-Dade Team Award along with other corps members placed at Jose de Diego Middle School for collective impact made at school site
Summer Literacy Teacher
Tulsa Public School District
Tulsa, OK
06.2012 - 07.2012
- Taught five-week summer school literacy course to 2nd - 4th graders in Tulsa Public School District using Tulsa Standards and Curriculum
- Built positive relationships with students, parents and team members to achieve smooth and productive program experience.
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
- Completed over 100 hours of coursework and seminars in instructional planning, classroom management, learning theory, literacy, and diversity training
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
Education
Master of Science - Teaching, Learning, And Curriculum
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA 08.2015 - 06.2017
Bachelor of Arts - English and Criminology, Education
University of Florida
08.2008 - 05.2012
Skills
Elementary education
Subject matter expertise - English
Curricula development
Professional Development Facilitation
Coaching and Leadership Development
Assessment Development
Instructional Leadership
Team Leadership
Timeline
Senior School Leader
KIPP Miami
08.2022 - Current
Education Consultant
I.D.E.A. Education Consulting
08.2021 - Current
Successor Principal & Founding Principal
KIPP Miami
08.2020 - Current
Founding Assistant Principal - Lower School
KIPP Miami
07.2018 - 07.2020
Assistant Principal - Upper School
KIPP Schools
08.2017 - 08.2018
English Tutor
Mighty Writers El Futuro
08.2015 - 08.2017
Master of Science - Teaching, Learning, And Curriculum
Drexel University
08.2015 - 06.2017
Manager of Teacher Leadership Development
Teach For America
08.2014 - 07.2017
Corps Member Advisor - Instructional Coach
Teach For America
06.2014 - 08.2015
Grade Level Chair
Jose de Diego Middle School
08.2013 - 06.2014
Lead English & Writing Teacher
Miami Dade Public Schools
07.2012 - 07.2014
Corps Member
Teach For America
06.2012 - 06.2014
Summer Literacy Teacher
Tulsa Public School District
06.2012 - 07.2012
Bachelor of Arts - English and Criminology, Education
University of Florida
08.2008 - 05.2012