Kenya Thomas
Odessa,TX
Summary
Enthusiastic Assistant Principal offering 6 year history of supporting academic administration functions. Motivated to improve relationships among faculty, students and administrators. Personable and outgoing with skill in building rapport with diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education
4
4
Certifications
Work History
Assistant Principal
Third Future Schools
Odessa , TX
07.2021 - Current
- Served as the Campus Testing Coordinator to coordinate and implement all the state and federal mandated assessments, and programmatic testing as assigned by the district Testing Office. Responsible for the organization, implementation, verification, collection, and distribution of materials for all assessments.
- Oversaw schedule management and protocols for orientation, registration and related activities.
- Supervised and evaluated teaching and support staff through instructional leadership and professional development.
- Supported special education department by developing programs and protocols for at-risk youth and students with special needs.
- Encouraged interdepartmental and cross-functional teams collaboration in development and support of student activities, programs and lessons.
- Performed classroom evaluations to assess teacher strategies and effectiveness.
- Partnered with principal to administer school program in alignment with vision and goals, providing positive, high-expectation academic environment.
School Redesign Fellow
Midland Independent School District
Midland, Texas
08.2020 - Current
- Develop educational opportunities for at-risk populations through the development of new research, identification of best practices, and creation of new tools.
- Implement community engagement efforts and communications for Coleman High School in alignment with Redesign developments.
- Revise progress monitoring plans as needed, based on feedback and data.
Teacher/Professional Learning Coach/Teacher Trainer
Abu Dhabi Education Council
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
10.2015 - 08.2020
- Lead and implement Inquiry Based Learning model in the classroom.
- Created and lead various Professional Development sessions and School Improvement Plans amongst staff.
- Mentor and supervise new expatriate teachers.
- Use student achievement data to examine curriculum and instructional effectiveness.
- Develop units with integrated technology and adapted activities to meet needs of individual learners.
English Facilitator
Defense Language Institute
Wichita Falls, Texas
01.2015 - 08.2015
- Taught lessons to Saudi Arabia Air Force students encompassing a range of skill-building activities for speaking, writing, reading and listening.
- Eliminated learning gaps and effectively instructed students utilizing wide variety of innovative teaching aids and motivational and implementation strategies.
Teacher Leader
Fuzhou International School
Fuzhou, China, China
08.2014 - 01.2015
- Led and maintained a split classroom for Grades 3 and 4.
- Employed kinesthetic, visual and auditory approaches to make lessons interesting and interactive.
- Conducted small group and individual classroom activities based on differentiated learning needs.
- Collected data to improve the content, sequence, and outcomes of the teaching learning process.
- Head of English Language Arts department.
ESL Coordinator
Sinolink Private Primary School
Shenzhen, China, China
01.2012 - 06.2014
- Developed and implemented lesson plans for Grade 1 that met requirements of the curriculum program according to guidelines established by board policies and administrative regulations.
- Created and implemented an English Tutoring Program for Grades 2 and 4.
- Taught lessons to Grades 1 through 6 encompassing skill-building activities for speaking, writing, reading and listening.
- Created and led the school-wide English Christmas Program; hosted an English Broadcast over an array of topics twice a week.
- Engaged in cultural immersion programs with students to further augment global understanding.
- Defined and articulated learning outcomes, including measurements, performance metrics and changes to improve student learning.
EFL Instructor
Jilin University Lambton College
Changchun, China
08.2011 - 05.2012
- Taught university Freshmen a range of skill-building activities for speaking, writing, reading and listening.
- Developed an open communication atmosphere for students, parents, and community mentors.
- Made difficult concepts understandable to students.
- Educated students about foreign cultures through immersive activities.
Elementary Teacher (Departmentalized)
Hazelwood Elementary School
Clarksville, TN
08.2010 - 05.2011
- Developed and implemented lesson plans that met requirements of the curriculum program according to guidelines established by board policies and administrative regulations.
- Worked collaboratively with parents/guardians, families, and other members of the community to involve them in academic activities and to support the success of a diverse student population and to bring in volunteers and additional resources.
- Used technology to strengthen the teaching/learning process and helped students to analyze and improve study methods and habits, assessing student achievements through formal and informal testing.
- Improved student engagement by implementing student-centered classroom management techniques to foster academic curiosity.
Elementary Teacher
Martin Primary School
Martin, TN
01.2005 - 05.2010
- Supported a balanced reading program through the implementation of writing and reading workshops.
- Integrated technology through the development of units that included computer literacy skills; adapted activities to meet the needs of individual learners.
- Employed kinesthetic, visual, and auditory approach to make lessons interesting and interactive; utilized various mediums, modeling and organized student-led group sharing.
- Instructed students in standardized subjects as well as general learning strategies and skills for social development and character.
Education
Educational Specialist - School Reform
Union University
Jackson, TNMaster of Science - Educational Leadership
University Of Tennessee At Martin
Martin, TNBachelor of Science - Elementary Education
University Of Tennessee At Martin
Martin, TNDoctor of Education - Leadership in School Reform
Union University
Jackson, TN 01.2020 -
Skills
SupervisionWorkshopsBackground in Teaching English as a Second LanguageResearchDocumentation requirementsProject coordinationClass engagementStudent evaluationTechnology-based learning toolsCurriculum inputStudent assessmentMultimedia instructionPlay-based learningTraining & DevelopmentMultidisciplinary collaboration
Policy development and enforcement
Relationship building and networking
Academic administration
Student achievement
Special education
Group facilitation and presentations
Student and parent relations
Accomplishments
- Lead new teacher and content knowledge workshops throughout United Arab Emirates 2015 – 2018.
- Designed and conducted a weekly professional development workshop (STEM) for county staff 2007 - 2010.
- Created and led a comprehensive after school enrichment program at Sinolink Primary School.
- Implemented an after-school Reading program at Martin Primary School for students whose reading scores were below grade level.
- Facilitated small reading and writing groups, phonics groups and math groups for grades K- 5.
Highlights
- STEM knowledge
- Diverse populations
- Behavior plans and modification
- School Improvement Plans knowledge
- Administrative License
- International Reading Association
- Head of Faculty
- Develop and lead Professional Development courses internationally and within USA
- Self-start and initiate projects
- Grade Level Department Chair
- Data Analysis
- Instructional best practices
- Technology in lessons implementation
- High School Redesign Plan
Certification
Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Timeline
Assistant Principal
Third Future Schools
07.2021 - Current
School Redesign Fellow
Midland Independent School District
08.2020 - Current
Doctor of Education - Leadership in School Reform
Union University
01.2020 -
Teacher/Professional Learning Coach/Teacher Trainer
Abu Dhabi Education Council
10.2015 - 08.2020
English Facilitator
Defense Language Institute
01.2015 - 08.2015
Teacher Leader
Fuzhou International School
08.2014 - 01.2015
ESL Coordinator
Sinolink Private Primary School
01.2012 - 06.2014
EFL Instructor
Jilin University Lambton College
08.2011 - 05.2012
Elementary Teacher (Departmentalized)
Hazelwood Elementary School
08.2010 - 05.2011
Elementary Teacher
Martin Primary School
01.2005 - 05.2010
Educational Specialist - School Reform
Union University
Master of Science - Educational Leadership
University Of Tennessee At Martin
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
University Of Tennessee At Martin