Kristina Saunders
Bothell,WA
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate Principal committed to fostering strong relationships among faculty, students, administrators, and community members. Creates a positive and collaborative learning environment to enhance the overall educational experience. Motivated to contribute to the success of the educational institution by leveraging expertise in creating a harmonious and inclusive school community.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
ELA Lead
Northshore School District
01.2018 - Current
- Finalized District Scope and Sequence of K-6 ELA Curriculum
- Co-created and facilitated professional development on best practices, Science of Reading, implementation of new ELA adoption
- Collaborated with team members, administration, and HMH representatives to provide real time support for educators and their teams
- Collaborated with other educators to develop instructional strategies.
REJ Lead
Lockwood Elementary
01.2022 - Current
- Created staff pre-assessment to determine next steps in creating a more culturally responsive school climate and culture. Reviewed feedback after trainings to prepare next steps in PD.
- Coordinate with team members to present professional development to staff on DEI materials and expectations.
- Include a diverse range of staff and community members to share experiences, honoring everyone’s story. Outreach to community experts in DEI, Culturally Responsive Practices, and Social Justice Circles.
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports Lead
Lockwood Elementary
01.2022 - Current
- Set up systems of support for Tier I, Tier II, and Tier III students including master schedule, resource mapping, and inclusionary practices such as Walk to Math.
- Attended Character Strong Convention and led school-wide trainings on Zones curriculum, Morning Meetings, and Restorative Justice Circles.
- Led bi-monthly meetings to track progress of school policies and procedures, address MTSS/PBIS issues and concerns.
- Address needs of students and families beyond the classrooms (before/after school, health and welfare issues, safety concerns, etc.)
Administrative Intern
Northshore School District #417
08.2022 - 06.2023
- Collaborated effectively with the School Decision-Making Leadership Team (SDLT) to implement Lockwood’s Strategic Action Plan (SAP) aligned with the district plan to address Racial and Educational Justice in our schools creating a sense of belonging for all, and improved reading scores by using teaching strategies and resources Science of Reading
- Planned and facilitated staff development sessions on PLC formations, MTSS structures, new ELA curriculum implementation, Science of Reading practices, and REJ understandings and responses
- Addressed discipline issues with a MTSS/PBIS lens while providing trauma informed Tier 3 support for student success working with parents, teachers, and support staff to develop behavior plans
- Created a Culturally Responsive culture through community activities such as Principal Coffee chats with parents and community to hear their stories and develop Lockwood Leopard-first language for all our students to increase feeling of belonging
- Supervised extracurricular activities and events.
- Mentored educators and providing feedback and encouragement. Trained teachers on effective teaching techniques, classroom management strategies, and behavior modification.
Secretary/Treasurer
Northshore Education Association
01.2015 - 09.2022
- Worked with the Administrative Assistant to balance the budget and ensure transparency in the association, keeping records accurate, and current. Met with auditor annually.
- Working with Executive Board Members I organized agendas, facilitated meetings, led voting and communication of decisions to promote teacher success, support district initiatives, improve cultural awareness, and increase diversity representation.
- Cultivated collaborative decision-making on district committees bringing experience, knowledge to reach successful resolutions. (Diversity & Equity Team, Dyslexia Committee, Interest Based Bargaining Teams, and School Start Time Task Force)
- Organized logistics and materials for each meeting and took detailed notes for later dissemination to key stakeholders.
School Decision-Making Team Lead
Lockwood Elementary
01.2021 - 06.2024
- Constructed school MTSS schedules and provided training for PLC use of Intervention/Extension time.
- Established open and professional relationships with team members to resolve issues quickly.
- Devised and implemented processes and procedures to streamline operations.
Educator
Northshore School District
05.1995 - Current
- Continued professional development and education to improve practice (GLAD, PBIS, MTSS, SoR, standards-based assessment and practices, RTI, Balanced Literacy and Beyond, REJ)
- Taught grades 1st - 6th in schools with varying socio-economic advantages and expectations, schools with multiple programs, and schools with overcrowded/dwindling enrollment
- Built relationships and communicated with parents to provide best learning environment for children.
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans to keep learner attention and participation. Collaborated with adults and children to provide safe and educational experience.
- Utilized innovative teaching strategies to effectively engage students in learning. Facilitated student-led, inquiry-based activities in classroom to enhance learning experience.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop and revise curriculum, enhancing learning experience.
- Met regularly with team of teachers to discuss best practices and develop innovative teaching strategies.
- Implemented reading and writing workshops to increase student literacy and support school reading programs.
- Modified lessons and curriculum to accommodate diverse learners by using strategies such as peer-assisted learning, group work, and student choice/voice.
Student-Teacher Mentor
Northshore School District
01.2018 - 01.2022
- Supported student teachers through gradual release and guided reflection, developing each individual’s strengths as an educator
- Supported use of district curricula to meet CCSS based on pre-assessment, progress monitoring, and post-assessment data to evaluate success
- Supported student teachers to develop autonomy in preparation for independent teaching the next year (report cards, conferences, family communication, PLC participation, REJ and DEI for culturally responsive teaching, and development of both classroom and professional libraries)
- Promoted a positive and productive learning environment to increase engagement and rapport with students and teachers.
Education
Residency Administrator - Principal Certification
Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA08.2023
Certification - Literacy: Reading Language Arts/Early & Middle
National Board Professional Teaching Standards
Masters in Education - ESL Instructional Methods And Technology
City University of Seattle
Seattle, WABachelor of Arts - Education, Spanish Minor
Washington State University
Pullman, WASkills
- Culturally Responsive Practices
- Relationship building
- School safety and security
- Curriculum development and oversight
- Training and mentoring
- Master Schedule building
- Budget administration
- Conflict resolution
Accomplishments
- Nominated for Golden Apple Teacher of the Year 2023-2024
- Nominated for WEA Teacher of the Year 2024-2025
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Professional Working
Timeline
Administrative Intern
Northshore School District #417
08.2022 - 06.2023
REJ Lead
Lockwood Elementary
01.2022 - Current
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports Lead
Lockwood Elementary
01.2022 - Current
School Decision-Making Team Lead
Lockwood Elementary
01.2021 - 06.2024
ELA Lead
Northshore School District
01.2018 - Current
Student-Teacher Mentor
Northshore School District
01.2018 - 01.2022
Secretary/Treasurer
Northshore Education Association
01.2015 - 09.2022
Educator
Northshore School District
05.1995 - Current
Residency Administrator - Principal Certification
Western Washington University
Certification - Literacy: Reading Language Arts/Early & Middle
National Board Professional Teaching Standards
Masters in Education - ESL Instructional Methods And Technology
City University of Seattle
Bachelor of Arts - Education, Spanish Minor
Washington State University
Educator Experience
01/01/95, present, Continued professional development and education to improve practice (GLAD, PBIS, MTSS, SoR, standards-based assessment and practices, RTI, Balanced Literacy and Beyond, REJ), Worked in schools with varying socio-economic advantages and expectations, schools with multiple programs, and schools with overcrowded or dwindling enrollment, Taught grades 1st - 6th at schools across the Northshore district: Bear Creek, East Ridge, Kokanee, and Lockwood Elementary
Leadership Roles
- SDLT, 01/01/21, present, Constructed school MTSS schedules and provided training for PLC use of Intervention/Extension time., Determined budget needs/constraints when making school wide decisions, collaborated with administration and leadership team to create and meet SAP goals.
- REJ Lead, 01/01/22, present, Coordinated with team members to present professional development to staff on DEI materials, created pre-assessment to determine needs of staff, included a diverse range of staff members to share experiences, honored everyone’s story, reviewed feedback after training to prepare for next steps in PD.
- PBIS Lead, 01/01/22, present, Set up systems of support for Tier I, Tier II, and Tier III students, brought and participated in train the trainers Zones curriculum, on planning team for implementation school-wide next year
- ELA Lead, 01/01/18, present, Co-created and facilitated professional development on best practices, Science of Reading, implementation of new ELA adoption., Collaborated with team members, administration, and HMH representatives to provide real time support for educators and their teams.
- NSEA Secretary Treasurer, 01/01/15, 12/31/22, Worked with the Administrative Assistant to balance the budget and ensure transparency in the association., Working with Executive Board Members I organized agendas, facilitated meetings, led voting and communication of decisions to promote teacher success, support district initiatives, improve cultural awareness, and increase diversity., Cultivated collaborative decision-making on district committees bringing experience, knowledge to reach successful resolutions.
- Student-Teacher Mentor, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, Supported student teachers through gradual release and guided reflection, developing each individual’s strengths as an educator., Supported use of district curricula to meet CCSS based on pre-assessment, progress monitoring, and post-assessment data to evaluate success., Supported student teachers to develop autonomy in preparation of independent teaching the next year (report cards, conferences, family communication, PLC participation, REJ and DEI for culturally responsive teaching, and development of both classroom and professional libraries).
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