KRISTAN ZARGARI
Little Rock,AR
Summary
Dynamic leader in gifted education with a track record of implementing award-winning programs that promote equitable access. Expertise in executing data-driven initiatives, including multi-criteria evaluation frameworks, to enhance student placement decisions. Proven ability to enrich learning opportunities and drive positive outcomes in educational settings.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
GT Specialist, Identification & Assessment
Otter Creek Elementary School
Little Rock, AR
08.2024 - Current
- Disaggregated referral and testing data by race and home language, identifying access gaps for equitable support strategies.
- Applied multi-criteria evaluation framework to establish defensible, student-centered placement decisions.
- Implemented annual universal screening cycles
- Paired formative and summative data targeting specific student needs.
- Led Young Entrepreneur Showcase team in producing a comprehensive business plan, achieving state recognition for innovative student initiatives.
- Achieved highly effective rating in annual teacher evaluation.
- Facilitated parent meetings and sponsored school-wide events, including STEM night, spelling bee, and quiz bowl.
Advanced Academics / GT Facilitator, Split Assignment
Pinnacle View Middle School & Dunbar Middle School
Little Rock , AR
08.2022 - 05.2023
- Maintained full GT program operations across two campuses simultaneously, meeting all identification timelines and service requirements without disruption.
- Coached entrepreneurship teams at both schools, leading to state awards at each campus.
- Joined Dunbar Magnet Core Force Team to embed entrepreneurship programming across all content areas, enhancing access to advanced learning beyond GT classroom.
- Achieved Highly Effective ratings at both campuses during the same evaluation cycle.
Advanced Academics / GT Building Facilitator
Pinnacle View Middle School
Little Rock , AR
08.2015 - 05.2022
- Received the Superintendent Citation for Outstanding Leadership in Gifted Programming.
- Chaired Identification and Advisory Committees for seven years, authoring annual program evaluation reports based on student outcome data to inform program improvements.
- Trained teachers to identify gifted potential in non-traditional students, enhancing district capacity for equitable GT referrals.
- Developed district's first virtual GT pilot program, expanding access to advanced learning for out-of-district students.
- Used NNAT3, Torrance, Williams, and Renzulli instruments to produce multi-criteria identification profiles for all GT students.
- Coached at least one state award-winning entrepreneurship team annually for ten consecutive years through a repeatable competition preparation system.
Literacy Lead Teacher
Geyer Springs Gifted & Talented Academy
Little Rock, AR
08.2014 - 05.2015
- Established literacy baselines using WRAP and Slosson assessments to design targeted ELA instruction, enhancing student performance based on quarterly data.
- Collaborated with teachers to implement innovative literacy strategies across grade levels.
- Co-led Math/Literacy Family Night and created ACT Aspire Writing Prep Booklet to support student writing development.
Gifted & Talented District Coordinator
Smackover-Norphlet Public Schools
08.2008 - 05.2014
- Created the district's first GT Seminar elective, establishing a formal advanced learning pathway where none previously existed.
- Designed and delivered professional development that enhanced teacher skills in identifying gifted potential in non-traditional learners.
- Presented data-driven Annual Program Approval Reports to the public for six consecutive years, building community accountability into the program structure.
- Led YES, YES 2.0, Odyssey of the Mind, and SAKE Economics teams to achieve state recognition.
Education
M.S. - Gifted Education P-12
Southern Arkansas University
Magnolia, AR08-2008
Ed.S. - Administration
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, AR12-2023
B.S. - Education K-6
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR05-1995
Skills
- Screening and assessment
- Data-driven decisions
- Curriculum design and enrichment
- Program management
- Program administration
- Equity initiatives
- Compliance reporting
- Strategic planning
- Instructional leadership
- Staff development and coaching
- Family engagement
- Virtual program delivery
Certification
- Building-Level Principal, P-12
- Gifted Education, P-12
- Elementary Education, K-6
- Middle School Social Studies
Timeline
GT Specialist, Identification & Assessment
Otter Creek Elementary School
08.2024 - Current
Advanced Academics / GT Facilitator, Split Assignment
Pinnacle View Middle School & Dunbar Middle School
08.2022 - 05.2023
Advanced Academics / GT Building Facilitator
Pinnacle View Middle School
08.2015 - 05.2022
Literacy Lead Teacher
Geyer Springs Gifted & Talented Academy
08.2014 - 05.2015
Gifted & Talented District Coordinator
Smackover-Norphlet Public Schools
08.2008 - 05.2014
M.S. - Gifted Education P-12
Southern Arkansas University
Ed.S. - Administration
Arkansas State University
B.S. - Education K-6
University of Arkansas