Leah Wisdom
Lawrence,KS
Summary
Experienced and enthusiastic education professional with track record of success across wide range of industries. Possesses exceptional interpersonal, problem-solving and analytical skills to provide leadership, facilitation and expertise to stakeholders and organizations improving outcomes. Experienced in all aspects of leadership, coaching, instruction, adult learning theory, DEI initiatives, strategic planning and implementation, and finance.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
EDUCATION/EQUITY CONSULTANT
Self-employed
08.2022 - Current
- Current partnership with Kansas Association of School Boards
- Previous partnership with Lawrence Chamber of Commerce
- Define, strategize, implement educational/business practices promoting equity and access
- Analyze problematic areas to provide recommendations and solutions
- Improve performance, hiring practices and management systems to facilitate success of client's organization
- Integrate business operations to identify targeted solutions to member issues
- Establish goals and action steps.
Director of Instruction & Professional Development
Lawrence Public Schools
07.2021 - Current
- Plays an integral role in hiring highly qualified instructional coaches who contributed significantly to overall student success rates.
- Champions the integration of technology into teaching practices, promoting digital literacy across all subjects.
- Establishes a collaborative work environment, resulting in increased staff satisfaction and productivity.
- Provides regular feedback on instructional and coaching practices, supporting staff growth as professionals.
- Launched initiatives focused on inclusion, equity, and diversity within curriculum development and implementation.
- Coordinates cross-departmental collaborations, fostering interdisciplinary approaches to instruction and learning experiences for students.
- Streamlines instructional processes for improved efficiency by regularly reviewing and updating policies and procedures.
- Facilitates professional learning communities to encourage collaboration and sharing of best teaching practices.
- Strengths instructional leadership skills among staff members with targeted training initiatives.
- Plans and implements staff development and in-service training programs to enhance knowledge and skills.
- Evaluates programs and monitors implementation and compliance with regulations to achieve objectives.
- Monitored overhead, prepared budgets and directed spending and resources to support fiscal efficiency.
CONSULTANT
AVID Center
05.2016 - Current
- Facilitate Culturally Relevant Teaching (CRT): Transforming Educators
- Manage groups of 50 or more
- Establish and implement effective adult learning strategies
- Flexibly adapt for individual needs of each district, building, and individual
- Provide responsive, high quality professional learning experiences for all participants.
DIRECTOR, EQUITY, INSTRUCTION & PD
Lawrence Public Schools
07.2018 - 07.2021
- Established innovative approaches to deliver high quality adult learning opportunities
- Analyzed multiple sources of data and use data for all decision making
- Led implementation of multi-tiered system of support
- Increased effective implementation of English as a Second Language program
- Report to Board of Education regarding strategic initiative progress
- Served as liaison and representative for parent advisory committees.
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
- Optimized staff performance by designing comprehensive training programs tailored to individual needs.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
- Reported issues to higher management with great detail.
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR
Baker University
01.2016 - 01.2019
- ED 313 Bilingual Education
- Instruct Undergraduate Education Majors using program standards and outcomes
- Plan and instruct Undergrad students regarding effective English as a Second Language strategies
- Collaborate with professors within the Education department about content and students.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Lawrence Public Schools
06.2011 - 07.2018
- Manage ongoing curriculum and professional development projects
- Deliver quality, relevant, engaging Professional learning district-wide focusing on effective instructional strategies
- Collaborate with building principals to facilitate quality professional learning, appropriate staffing and program decisions in the areas of ESL, MTSS, and AVID
- Provide reports and/or information about instructional programs, curricula, and philosophy to the board of Education, administration, staff and general public
- Ensure access to evidence-based instructional practices and resources
- Provide leadership in determining program effectiveness
- Help create a high-performance work system by fostering open communication
- Manage program budgets and allocate funds to schools
- Facilitate curriculum review process and coordinate resources.
FIFTH GRADE ESL TEACHER AND FIRST GRADE TEACHER
Hillcrest Elementary
08.2002 - 06.2011
- Plan and implement district curriculum, state standards, and ESOL standards
- Administer, score, analyze and interpret student assessment data (LAS, KELPA, MAP, State assessments) to make instructional decisions for individual students
- Implement SIOP (Sheltered Instruction Observational Protocol) instructional strategies in all content areas
- Assess student literacy needs and progress monitor targeted students
- Plan and teach collaboratively with classroom teachers
- Complete, update, and maintain student ELL enhancement plans
- Communicate effectively with colleagues, parents and students
- Maintain positive, collaborative relationships with parents and colleagues.
Education
Certification - District Leadership
Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg, Kansas08.2014
Master of Arts - School Leadership
Baker University
Baldwin City, Kansas12.2008
Endorsement -
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas05.2006
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Saint Mary College
Leavenworth, Kansas05.2001
Skills
- Innovative leader
- Conducting Training
- Equity-focused Leadership
- Results-oriented/Data driven
- Solution-focused
- Classroom Observations
- Analytical Thinking
- Strategic Planning
- Issue Resolution
- Continuous Improvement
Accomplishments
- Awarded and implemented an IES (Institute of Educational Sciences) partnership grant
- Recipient of the University of Kansas Whelan Leadership Award
- Established a growth plan for AVID and successfully obtained Board of Education support
- Facilitates partnership with the University of Kansas
- Published in a Master Teacher Production for ELL and literacy instruction
- Highlighted in, Biography Driven Instruction: Academic literacy strategies for ESL
- Provided system-wide Cultural Competence Training to KASB
- Led community Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee
- ADL: AVID District Leadership Training
- LEADS: Equity Leadership Development
- Affiliate Practitioner Certification through PEG: Equity Leadership
- Completed Kansas Leadership Academy (KLC)
- Presented at National PBIS Conference
- Presented at Midwest Symposium for Leaders in Behavior Disorders (MSLBD)
- Sheltered Instruction Observational Protocol (SIOP) trained
Qualifications Summary
Highly skilled in facilitating and coaching instructional leadership strategies to multiple stakeholders. Passionate and committed to educational equity with deep knowledge and experience training and coaching educators in delivering asset-focused, culturally sustaining instruction. Strategic-thinking, results-focused individual experienced in facilitating and coaching individuals and organizations into data-driven, goal focused change agents. Successful at building and sustaining positive, effective relationships with all stakeholders to hold tight to a common vision and successful goal-oriented outcomes.
References
Dr. Anthony Lewis, Superintendent, USD497, 785-832-5000
Dr. Anna Stubblefield, Superintendent, USD500, 816-678-7376
Kevin Harrell, Executive Director of Student Services, USD497, 785-832-5000
Timeline
EDUCATION/EQUITY CONSULTANT
Self-employed
08.2022 - Current
Director of Instruction & Professional Development
Lawrence Public Schools
07.2021 - Current
DIRECTOR, EQUITY, INSTRUCTION & PD
Lawrence Public Schools
07.2018 - 07.2021
CONSULTANT
AVID Center
05.2016 - Current
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR
Baker University
01.2016 - 01.2019
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Lawrence Public Schools
06.2011 - 07.2018
FIFTH GRADE ESL TEACHER AND FIRST GRADE TEACHER
Hillcrest Elementary
08.2002 - 06.2011
Certification - District Leadership
Pittsburg State University
Master of Arts - School Leadership
Baker University
Endorsement -
Kansas State University
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Saint Mary College