Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Professional Development
References
Timeline
Generic

Laura Novak

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience

Work History

Principal

John R. Wooden High School
01.2015 - Current
  • Coordinates and uplifts an innovative, student-centered, Model Continuation high school
  • Supervises and supports the activities of the school's certificated and classified staff ensuring clear goals and collaboration of all stakeholders
  • Oversees and manages $1.6 million dollar budget; collaborates with appropriate District staff and stakeholders in the development and monitoring of the annual budget and allocation of funds
  • Develops master schedule of classes and directs the scheduling of students; plans and supervises state and District testing programs
  • Administers, coordinates and provides focused support for English Learners, Standard English Learners, Title I, Special Education, Foster Youth in compliance with state and federal law
  • Organizes and administers an individualized program of student counseling and guidance with emphasis on the personal, educational, and career concerns of each student; coordinates and supervises vocational and college counseling and outreach
  • Coordinates and supports community engagements and partnerships including Making Movies that Matter, Girls Build LA, Off the Wall Graffiti, Self-Help Graphics, UCLA Writer's Den and the Cultural Arts Plan
  • Directs the school's Western Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation process; have completed two successful six-year Full Self-Studies
  • Leverages program strengths to maintain enrollment benchmarks and creates innovative recruitment programs to attract students
  • Develops and implements strategies for student, parent, and community involvement in school activities and programs
  • Manages the CTE program in Agricultural and Natural Science and the school's ½ acre farm and garden that houses over 50 animals and a variety of sustainably grown crops
  • Develops and coordinates Professional Development for all staff via weekly meetings and full day workshops
  • Manages 16+ employees and evaluates 13 employees on a yearly basis
  • Conducts regular teacher evaluation and provides actionable feedback to teachers and staff.

English Teacher/Testing and EL Coordinator

Thoreau High School
08.2012 - 01.2015

English Teacher/Team Department Leader

Reseda High School
09.2008 - 08.2011

English/ESL Teacher

Manual Arts High School
01.2006 - 09.2008

Education

MA in Sociology -

New Mexico State University
12.2019

MS in Educational Administration -

National University
11.2014

Administrative Credential -

06.2014

Certificate in Advanced Gardening -

Pierce College
05.2012

Professional Clear Credential, Single Subject in English -

06.2006

CLAD Credential -

06.2006

MA in Education -

Pepperdine University
12.2002

BA in Latin American/Latino Studies -

UC Santa Cruz
08.2000

Education Abroad Program -

Universidad De San Jose, Costa Rica
1998

Skills

  • Proven ability to create, develop and coordinate successful programs
  • Enjoys building trust and relationships across departments to promote organization's success
  • Excels in multi-tasking and working under pressure in a fast-paced environment
  • Ability to center all decisions on student success, school mission and vision following district guidelines and policies
  • Adaptable and capable of leading change in nuanced, large scale and complex systems; experience in successfully using sound judgement in the face of ambiguity
  • Enjoys building trust through ethics and professionalism; respect and positive attitude is foundation of all interactions
  • Outstanding computer and technological skills including knowledge of web site publication, google docs, Excel, and the cloud network
  • Innovative problem solver who uses fact and research to find unique and effective solutions
  • Takes initiative and welcomes challenges in a timely manner
  • Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese

Professional Development

  • Artificial Intelligence in Education
  • Google Suite for Educators
  • Virtual Reality Oculus for Education
  • LMS Systems-Canva, Schoology, Blackboard
  • Implicit Bias PD Series
  • Social Emotional Learning
  • Uplifting Marginalized Groups
  • Growth Mindset
  • Critical Media Theory
  • Expository Reading and Writing Workshop
  • Institute for Standards, Curriculum and Assessments
  • Various workshops focused on English Language Learners
  • Universal Design for Learning
  • Facing History and Ourselves Institute
  • Various Grant Writing Workshops

References

  • Barb Jepson, Principal, Stoney Point High School, Los Angeles Unified School District, (818) 399-4457
  • Mary Melvin, Director, Los Angeles Unified School District, (818) 439-1614
  • Debra McIntyre-Sciarrino, Principal, Los Angeles Unified School District, (818) 425-6293
  • Samantha Spitzer, Teacher, Oak View High School, (951) 852-1327

Timeline

Principal

John R. Wooden High School
01.2015 - Current

English Teacher/Testing and EL Coordinator

Thoreau High School
08.2012 - 01.2015

English Teacher/Team Department Leader

Reseda High School
09.2008 - 08.2011

English/ESL Teacher

Manual Arts High School
01.2006 - 09.2008

MA in Sociology -

New Mexico State University

MS in Educational Administration -

National University

Administrative Credential -

Certificate in Advanced Gardening -

Pierce College

Professional Clear Credential, Single Subject in English -

CLAD Credential -

MA in Education -

Pepperdine University

BA in Latin American/Latino Studies -

UC Santa Cruz

Education Abroad Program -

Universidad De San Jose, Costa Rica

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Laura Novak