LaRonda Lugo
Tucson,AZ
Summary
An accomplished leader with more than 20 years of experience and a strong background in working with diverse populations, specializing in public administration and community engagement, proficient in optimizing organizational operations, promoting collaboration, and implementing effective formal and informal educational programs. Exceptionally skilled in staff development and management, leveraging data for decision-making, and ensuring organizational success, and demonstrated a history of advancing employee development and driving programmatic improvement within public organizations contributing to enhanced student and client outcomes and academic achievement.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Principal
Bureau of Indian Education
Sells, AZ
05.2017 - Current
- Implemented and managed school development and improvement initiatives, including conducting campus and classroom walk-throughs, analyzing existing practices, and providing recommendations for continuous improvement. Increased efficiency of teaching and learning by effectively communicating observations and providing timely feedback and support to teachers, resulting in improved learning outcomes for all students. Developed new partnerships with local entities such as the fire department, police department, Department of Education Workforce Group, local health center, and local library to procure enhanced resources, community engagement, enriched learning experiences, improved support systems, holistic student development, and strengthened community cohesion. Actively participated in monthly engagements with Tohono O'odham Nation School Board members to address critical school development matters, provide insights, and review issues. Collaborated with Tohono O'odham Nation Department of Education Workforce Group to strategize and execute programs focused on college and career readiness for students.
- Led staff of 40, conducting coaching sessions, providing performance management support, and facilitating professional development and training in coordination with external educational organizations.
- Introduced innovative changes to school structure, such as Blended Learning, 90-minute block schedule, expanded elective choices with student input, and in-school clubs, enhancing the student experience. Ensured effective communication with parents by overseeing the preparation and distribution of monthly newsletters and calendars, phone calls, emails, and hybrid, in-person, and online meetings.
- Oversaw compliance with state and federal laws related to education programs, student rights and safety regulations.
- Developed, implemented and evaluated school policies and procedures.
- Organized regular meetings with faculty members to discuss issues related to instruction, assessment strategies and classroom management techniques.
Adjunct Instructor/Educat
Tohono O’odham Community College
Sells, AZ
01.2017 - 07.2018
- Advised students on academic matters such as degree requirements and course selection.
- Prepared lectures based on current research in the field of education.
- Maintained accurate records of attendance and grades for each student enrolled in the course.
- Assessed student performance through tests, quizzes, projects, papers, and presentations.
- Facilitated group discussions among students about class topics or assigned readings.
- Provided constructive feedback to help improve student understanding of concepts being discussed.
- Designed and implemented a teacher education curriculum for the education department with program objectives and executed objectives for the Education program.
- Collaborated with other faculty members to develop new courses and revise existing ones.
- Provided feedback to students on their progress throughout the semester.
- Held office hours weekly to answer questions from students regarding assignments or course material.
- Utilized various instructional technologies including online learning platforms, video conferencing tools, and interactive whiteboards.
Director of Academic Literacy Consultant
Catapult Learning Educational Services
Oahu, HI
07.2014 - 06.2016
- Provided leadership in the development, implementation, and evaluation of district literacy programs and services that address academic acceleration, student leadership development, school completion and college readiness.
- Collaborated with senior leadership to set long-term objectives for the Hawaii Department of Education.
- Assessed employee performance against established benchmarks or targets.
- Provided support services such as interpreting at meetings or workshops related to literature.
- Presented at conferences and events related to literature and translation industry trends.
- Evaluated text readability levels in both source and target languages for optimal comprehension.
- Created style guides based on client preferences regarding specific language usage rules.
Turnaround Principal
San Carlos Unified School District
San Carlos, AZ
07.2010 - 06.2014
- Managed budgeting process for school operations including personnel hiring, supplies procurement and facility improvements.
- Provided coaching sessions for teachers on best practices for classroom organization and management as well as effective instructional strategies.
- Organized parent-teacher conferences throughout the year in order to update families about their child's progress towards meeting academic goals set forth by the school administration.
- Organized regular meetings with faculty members to discuss issues related to instruction, assessment strategies and classroom management techniques.
- Provided instructional leadership to faculty and staff in the areas of curriculum development, assessment practices and professional growth activities.
- Promoted an atmosphere of respect amongst students by enforcing disciplinary codes consistently throughout the school year.
- Assessed current teaching methods and techniques used by staff members in order to provide feedback on their effectiveness.
- Monitored student academic performance data in order to identify trends or areas of need that require additional resources or support.
- Served as a liaison between school administration, local government agencies and external organizations involved in providing educational services.
- Developed, implemented and evaluated school policies and procedures.
- Reviewed test scores from standardized tests administered at different grade levels in order to track academic progress over time.
- Oversaw compliance with state and federal laws related to education programs, student rights and safety regulations.
- Developed strategies to encourage parental participation in school activities.
- Provided informational resources to parents on school policies and procedures.
Education Specialist
Arizona Department of Education
Phoenix, AZ
11.2007 - 06.2010
- Collaborated with district administrators, campus administrators, and teachers and developed systems to guide the schools through the improvement
- Developed leadership capacity of the administrators and built content knowledge of the teachers.
- Utilized a broad knowledge of scientific or evidence-based resources and materials to address the range of administrative, curricular, or instructional needs that might be present on the campus. Acted as an external, objective personality that provided input and recommendations.
- Reviewed grant proposals for completeness and accuracy prior to submission.
- Maintained a database of current and past grants awarded by the organization.
- Assisted in preparing financial statements necessary for filing annual reports with Arizona Department of Education.
- Collaborated with program staff on identifying strategies for successful implementation of funded projects.
Instructional Coach
Tucson Unified School District
Tucson, AZ
08.2005 - 11.2007
- Mentored new or struggling teachers by offering constructive advice about pedagogical approaches.
- Advised school leadership on educational policies, procedures, curricula revisions, budgeting decisions.
- Developed rubrics for evaluating teacher performance based on established criteria and standards.
- Coached teachers in effective use of technology tools to enhance instruction and student engagement.
- Evaluated existing curricula materials for accuracy and relevance to current educational standards.
- Observed classrooms to provide feedback to teachers regarding their teaching methods and classroom management techniques.
- Facilitated collaborative teams to develop and review lesson plans with a focus on standards-based instruction.
- Created instructional plans for individual teachers, departments, or grade levels based on school-wide learning objectives.
Curriculum Specialist
Tucson Unified School District
Tucson, AZ
08.1998 - 08.2005
- Maintained a safe and orderly learning environment for all students.
- Organized parent conferences throughout the year to discuss student progress.
- Utilized technology such as interactive whiteboards and online resources to enhance instruction.
- Assessed student performance through tests, quizzes and other assessments.
- Instructed students in academic subjects such as math, science, language arts, social studies, and history.
- Provided individualized instruction to meet the needs of all students.
- Encouraged critical thinking skills and problem solving strategies among students.
- Planned field trips to enrich students' educational experiences outside of the traditional classroom setting.
- Enforced school rules and regulations in order to maintain an appropriate learning environment for all students.
- Participated in professional development workshops related to teaching methods or curriculum changes.
- Collaborated with colleagues to plan lessons that integrate various subject areas into a cohesive unit of study.
- Monitored student behavior in classrooms, hallways, cafeteria, playgrounds.
- Supervised after school activities such as clubs or sports teams.
Education
Doctor of Education - Administrative Leadershipt
Concordia University
Portland, ORMaster of Arts - Education Counseling/ Education Leadership
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZBachelor of Arts - Sociology
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZSkills
- Curriculum development and oversight
- Instructional Leadership
- Annual reviews
- Teaching and learning assessments
- Data-Driven Instruction
- School Community Relations
- Grant Proposals
- Lesson Planning
- Discipline management
- School Administration
- Performance Evaluations
- Organizational Leadership
- Verbal and written communication
- Goal Planning
- Curriculum Development
- Program Management
- Training and mentoring
- Community Engagement
- Cultural Competency
Certification
- School Administration: K-12, State of Arizona
- Elementary Education: K-6, State of Arizona
- School Counselor K-12
- English Second Language Certification
- Google Educator Certification
Affiliations
University of Arizona Alumni Board Member
Tucson National Football and Cheer Association
Sabino Canyon Little League Board of Directors
Tucson Urban League Board of Directors
American Association of School Administrators
Arizona Association for School Business Officials
Arizona Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents
Arizona Association of School Administrators
Arizona Rural Schools Association
National Association for Elementary Principals
National Association of Secondary Principals
Arizona School Board Association
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
National Alternative Education Association
National Association of Secondary School Principals
National Rural Education Association
National School Board Association
Tucson Unified School District International Baccalaureate Committee
Timeline
Principal
Bureau of Indian Education
05.2017 - Current
Adjunct Instructor/Educat
Tohono O’odham Community College
01.2017 - 07.2018
Director of Academic Literacy Consultant
Catapult Learning Educational Services
07.2014 - 06.2016
Turnaround Principal
San Carlos Unified School District
07.2010 - 06.2014
Education Specialist
Arizona Department of Education
11.2007 - 06.2010
Instructional Coach
Tucson Unified School District
08.2005 - 11.2007
Curriculum Specialist
Tucson Unified School District
08.1998 - 08.2005
Doctor of Education - Administrative Leadershipt
Concordia University
Master of Arts - Education Counseling/ Education Leadership
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
University of Arizona
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