Lauren Perez Pietruszka
Leadership Coach & Facilitator
Darien,IL
Summary
Creative, passionate, and results-oriented education professional with a proven track record of designing, implementing, and leading transformative initiatives to enhance student academic performance and post-secondary success for all students. Demonstrated expertise in program development, adult learning, and data-driven decision-making that fosters strong partnerships with leaders and key stakeholders to effectively address complex problems. Adept at leveraging innovative strategies to drive positive change and create inclusive learning environments.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
6
6
Certifications
Work History
Freshman Success Improvement Coach & Data Lead
University of Chicago Network for College Success
Chicago, IL
11.2018 - Current
- Cultivate high-impact partnerships with school leaders, driving significant improvements in student outcomes: 9th-grade On-Track rates increased from 88% to 97%, and 3.0 GPA or better rates rose from 26% to 45% for Chicago's most vulnerable students (2018-2022)
- Design and facilitate a networked improvement community for 9th grade leaders, emphasizing sustainable systems for successful high school transitions, with 100% of participants reporting deepened capacity to improve outcomes for underserved students and readiness to take action after each convening in 2023
- Spearhead establishment and refinement of measurement strategies and data processes enabling data-driven decision-making for 9th grade coaches and school leaders, resulting in codified data collection methods and modifications to internal coaching framework
- Direct annual 4-day professional development on Leading Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), resulting in 100% implementation of PLC models across local and national schools
- Enhanced team performance by developing and implementing effective coaching strategies while collaborating with other coaches to share best practices, techniques, and insights for overall strategic improvement
Illinois Director of Academic and Social Supports
Golden Apple Foundation
Chicago, IL
09.2016 - 10.2018
- Designed and implemented multifaceted support strategy to increase academic success, social-emotional development, and graduation rates aimed at retaining and advancing over 750 undergraduates, with a specific focus on first-year, first-generation, and male students, resulting in historic Foundation improvements in first-year retention and overall undergraduate GPAs
- Created robust data and knowledge management systems to track academic progress, milestones, interventions, and student feedback ensuring 100% accuracy of Scholar profiles
- Facilitated weekly Directors meetings to analyze Scholar data, identify trends, determine action steps, and communicate Scholar progress to Executive Board
- Established strategic partnerships with campus liaisons at 50+ universities, fostering student support initiatives and transparent communication, contributing to increased first-year college retention and graduation rates
- Designed and executed a new policy process that ensured 100% compliance for all undergraduates, streamlining $2.5+ million in fund distribution annually with campus and state coordinators and enhancing program integrity.
- Directed summer residential teaching institute for over 200 newly inducted Scholars and residential staff, including 20+ on-site placements and experiential learning partnerships with Lurie Children's Hospital, EMABRC, and LEAP Innovations
Lead Facilitator - Freshman Academy
Thomas Kelly High School
Chicago, Illinois
06.2015 - 07.2016
- Collaborated with school leaders to establish Freshman Academy - the first grade-level team at Thomas Kelly High School supporting 9th grade students to increase high school graduation and post-secondary success
- Cultivated highly efficacious team of over 60 adult learners leveraging Adult Learning Principles to enact supportive tier 1 and tier 2 systems and structures resulting in school record-high On-Track to graduation rating
- Developed data systems and organizational structures to facilitate grade-level team collaboration and decision-making regarding student supports, interventions, and access to post-secondary coursework
- Provided ongoing professional development aligned to targeted instructional areas utilizing key developmental and post-secondary research
- Executed workshops, assemblies, family nights, and freshman orientations designed to maximize family and community engagement
English & Literacy Chicago Public School Teacher
Thomas Kelly High School, Goode STEM Academy
Chicago, IL
09.2010 - 07.2016
- Created integrated literacy curriculum using Understanding by Design for students below 50th percentile using metacognitive reading, writing, speaking, and listening techniques under Reading Apprenticeship framework
- Implemented AVID curriculum to develop students' college and career readiness including organization, time-management, critical thinking, close reading, writing, research, presentation, and inquiry skills
- Collaborated with AVID site team members to create programs, activities, and workshops that support students and families in exploring and navigating college-going processes, financial aid, and postsecondary career options beginning in 9th grade
- Aligned curricula with department members, ensuring students at Goode STEM Academy make progress towards obtaining associate degree before graduation
- Conducted professional development sessions for staff members on current instructional trends including CHAMPS classroom management, Social Emotional Learning, and adolescent development research
Education
Masters of Arts in Teaching - 6-12 Certification
National Louis University
Chicago, IL 06.2009 - 08.2010
Bachelor of Arts - English, Psychology, Education
Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL 08.2005 - 12.2009
Skills
Project Management
undefinedConference Presentations
- From Spark to Flame: Cultivating Improvement Practices That Ignite a Culture of Collective Learning, National Summit on Improvement in Education, 03/31/25
- Truthful Insights: Harnessing Student Voice Data in Teams, Learning Forward Annual Conference, 12/08/24 - 12/11/24
- Unlocking Empathy: Leading for Equitable Outcomes, Carnegie Foundation Summit on Improvement in Education, 03/24/24 - 03/27/24
- "What about yo' friends?": How a Focus on Peer Relationships Impacted Students' Sense of Belonging and 3.0+ GPA Attainment, Carnegie Foundation Summit on Improvement in Education, 04/23/23 - 04/25/23
- Clear and Connected: Designing a Hub That Embeds Improvement Science in Schools, Carnegie Foundation Summit on Improvement in Education, 03/28/22
- Sustaining the Second Push: Harnessing Excitement and Embedding Practice in a Networked Improvement Community, Carnegie Foundation Summit on Improvement in Education, 03/01/21
Certification
Certified Strategic Data Storytelling, University of Chicago, 07/01/24
Publications
- "A Common Aim Unites A Diverse Community", The Learning Professional, Improving Together, 04/01/23
- Network for College Success. (2023). Expanding 9th-Grade Possibilities to Combat the 3rd Quarter Slump., https://ncs.uchicago.edu/news/expanding-9th-grade-possibilities-combat-3rd-quarter-slump
Timeline
Freshman Success Improvement Coach & Data Lead
University of Chicago Network for College Success
11.2018 - Current
Illinois Director of Academic and Social Supports
Golden Apple Foundation
09.2016 - 10.2018
Lead Facilitator - Freshman Academy
Thomas Kelly High School
06.2015 - 07.2016
English & Literacy Chicago Public School Teacher
Thomas Kelly High School, Goode STEM Academy
09.2010 - 07.2016
Masters of Arts in Teaching - 6-12 Certification
National Louis University
06.2009 - 08.2010
Bachelor of Arts - English, Psychology, Education
Illinois Wesleyan University
08.2005 - 12.2009
Similar Profiles
Julie BurnettJulie Burnett
Director, Partnership and Innovation at The Chicago Public Education FundDirector, Partnership and Innovation at The Chicago Public Education Fund
Kenneth KariukiKenneth Kariuki
Mathematics Specialist at Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt UniversityMathematics Specialist at Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University
Regina RobersonRegina Roberson
Senior Project Coordinator at University of Indianapolis Early College Acceleration Network (UCAN)Senior Project Coordinator at University of Indianapolis Early College Acceleration Network (UCAN)