Leigh Farrell
Bayville,New York
Summary
Knowledgeable Elementary School educator with strong background in early childhood education management. Proven track record in leading and improving educational programs, fostering nurturing environment for young learners. Demonstrated ability in team leadership and effective communication, ensuring high standards of care and educational excellence.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Early Childhood
Portledge School
Locust Valley, NY
07.2015 - Current
- Lead the overall vision, development, and implementation of the early childhood program in alignment with institutional goals
- Supervise and evaluate faculty and staff, providing ongoing coaching, mentorship, and professional development
- Oversee curriculum to ensure developmentally appropriate, inquiry-based learning experiences
- Foster a positive, inclusive, and nurturing school culture for children, families, and staff
- Collaborate with families to support student growth, address concerns, and build strong school-home partnerships
- Collaborate with the Lower School Administrative team to manage daily operations, including scheduling, staffing, and resource allocation
- Analyze student progress and program effectiveness to inform instructional and strategic decisions
- Facilitate communication between administration, faculty, and families to maintain transparency and alignment
- Develop and implement policies, procedures, and best practices for early childhood education
- Assist with admissions processes, including tours, family meetings, and student placement decisions
- Plan and lead community-building events which showcase student learning
- Develop and Lead Parent and Child classes twice a week
Assistant Director of Admissions
Portledge School
Locust Valley, NY
07.2011 - Current
- Participate in the admissions process from inquiry to enrollment
- Coordinate and oversee student visits
- Coordinate and lead all lower school tours and many middle and upper school tours
- Administer lower school admissions testing including running records and math assessments
- Plan Portledge open houses
- Represent the school at events and school fairs
- Participate in the development of admissions materials, marketing materials, and print advertisements
- Sit as a member of the admissions committee for lower, middle, and upper schools
Project Manager of Crisis Team
Portledge School
Locust Valley, NY
12.2014 - 02.2015
- Served as Project Manager to respond to a Department of Motor Vehicle Request of an audit of 150 student driver education files
- Responded to parent phone calls and requests under extreme pressure and tension
- Worked closely with the school attorney and DMV to rectify individual files
- Managed a small team of paid volunteers
- Communicated regularly and strategized with the Head of School, school attorneys, and hired public relations team
Director of Senior Camp
Thomas School of Horsemanship Summer Day Camp
Melville, NY
06.2010 - 07.2011
- Participated in recruitment and enrollment management
- Led staff and campers age 9 to 13
- Supervised day to day activities of counselors and their camp groups
- Provided conflict resolution for campers and staff
Substitute Teacher
Levittown School District
Levittown, NY
11.2009 - 06.2011
Substitute Teacher
Huntington UFSD
Huntington, NY
04.2009 - 06.2011
Senior Camp Group Leader
Thomas School of Horsemanship Summer Day Camp
Melville, NY
06.2009 - 06.2010
Administrative Assistant
Thomas School of Horsemanship Summer Day Camp
Melville, NY
06.2004 - 06.2009
Teaching Assistant
Greentrees Country Day School
Syosset, NY
11.2007 - 01.2009
Education
M.S. - Childhood Education/Literacy
C.W. Post, Long Island University
Brookville, NYBachelor of Arts - Public Relations, Minor in European Union Business Studies
Quinnipiac University
Hamden, CTSkills
- Experience using Education Edge, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word
- Experience creating promotional materials and advertisements
- Experience planning school events
- Parent-teacher communication
- Child development
- Problem-solving
- Clear communication
- Team collaboration
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Play-based learning
- Behavioral management
Certification
- New York State Initial Certification, Childhood Education, 1-6
- New York State Initial Certification, Literacy, Birth-6
Literacy Practicum
- C.W. Post Reading Center, June 2009- August 2009
- Administered individual diagnostic assessments
- Presented lessons to remediate student weaknesses in phonemic awareness, reading comprehension, vocabulary, fluency, and writing skills
Additional School Related Experience
- Portledge School, NY
- Advisor of Middle School Newspaper
- Class of 2015 Advisor
- Co-founder and advisor of Portledge Middle School Interact Community Service Club
- Advisor of Portledge Equestrian Club
Related Experience
- Tutor- August 2012- Present
- Tutor six students in Kindergarten and Second Grade in reading and math
Student Teaching
- Flower Hill Elementary- January 2009- February 2009
- Student Teacher, Grade 1
- Developed and instructed science unit on States of Matter
- Conducted read alouds and created higher order thinking questions to monitor comprehension
- Planned and presented a series of language arts lessons
- Provided writing and editing support to students during writers workshop
- Worked closely with the Literacy Collaborative Coach on the Primary level
- Planned and delivered guided reading instruction
- Participated in grading practice ELA and Math assessments
- Conducted item analysis of student assessment results
Professional Development
- Attended ISM Conference, Admissions 101: The First Three Years- October 14, 2013-October 17, 2013
- Co-authored academic cross cultural research study: “A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Emotional Intelligence and Leadership Styles: A Pilot Study.” Academy of International Business Southeast Division Annual Meeting: October 25-27, 2006 Clearwater Beach, Florida. Paper presented and published in proceedings.
Timeline
Director of Early Childhood
Portledge School
07.2015 - Current
Project Manager of Crisis Team
Portledge School
12.2014 - 02.2015
Assistant Director of Admissions
Portledge School
07.2011 - Current
Director of Senior Camp
Thomas School of Horsemanship Summer Day Camp
06.2010 - 07.2011
Substitute Teacher
Levittown School District
11.2009 - 06.2011
Senior Camp Group Leader
Thomas School of Horsemanship Summer Day Camp
06.2009 - 06.2010
Substitute Teacher
Huntington UFSD
04.2009 - 06.2011
Teaching Assistant
Greentrees Country Day School
11.2007 - 01.2009
Administrative Assistant
Thomas School of Horsemanship Summer Day Camp
06.2004 - 06.2009
Bachelor of Arts - Public Relations, Minor in European Union Business Studies
Quinnipiac University
M.S. - Childhood Education/Literacy
C.W. Post, Long Island University