Leigh O’Malley
Lynbrook,USA
Summary
An educational leader with proven track record of driving academic success and fostering collaborative school environment. Expertise in curriculum development, staff training, and student engagement. Known for adaptability, reliability, and results-driven approach that aligns with institutional goals and changing educational needs.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Principal
NYS Non-Public School
01.2018 - 01.2021
- Administered Educational Programming for Diverse Learners: Directed inclusive preschool (age 3-5) and school-age (5-21) programs, ensuring delivery of state-contracted special education services
- Including multidisciplinary evaluations, structured teaching, and visual supports for over 300 students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Led Development of Individualized Services: Coordinated student-centered planning across academic, speech, counseling, occupational, and physical therapy services to create tailored learning paths that fostered social, communication, and daily living skills.
- Managed Interdisciplinary Staff for Student Outcomes: Coordinated collaboration among special educators, therapists, social workers, and clinicians to provide holistic, individualized education and support services in alignment with institutional standards and state contracts.
- Enhanced Community Habilitation and Inclusion Initiatives: Implemented oversight of community-based habilitation programming that supported enhanced independence, inclusion, and life skills development through individualized group and center-based activities; promoted integration beyond the classroom.
- Ensured Program Quality and Compliance: Upheld rigorous standards for regulatory compliance and high-quality service delivery in preschool and school-age programming, including implementation of evidence-based instructional strategies and coordinated multidisciplinary evaluations to assess student progress and program efficacy.
Postgraduate Student/Stay at Home Mother
Long Island University
09.2011 - 08.2012
Founding 2nd Grade Teacher
Brooklyn Scholars Elementary School
08.2009 - 08.2011
- Differentiated instruction through flexible grouping as determined through constant analysis of data collected
- Utilized discrete trials to alternate attending skills, classroom routines, expressive and receptive language skills and word acquisition for students with severe learning disabilities
- Overlapped group discrete trial instruction to provide opportunity for natural reinforcement by attending and imitating peer(s) while minimizing teacher prompts during Guided Reading
- Motivated class of 28 children by using positive reinforcement and naturally-occurring/contrived contingencies to enhance learning environment for students from low socio-economic backgrounds
- Led School Based Support Team/Intervention Team: worked with school personnel and identified learning needs, assisted in development of Individualized Education Programs, and/or instructional and behavior techniques
Undergraduate Student
Long Island University
09.2006 - 12.2008
Elementary Literacy Tutor
America Reads Program, Deasy Elementary School
09.2007 - 06.2008
- Supported emerging/struggling readers using differentiated instruction to develop print awareness, phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, spelling, writing, and text comprehension skills to cultivate fluency and meaning
- Instructed and facilitated student experience for classroom teacher upon principal request
Respite
Nassau Suffolk Services for Autism
06.2007 - 09.2007
- Trained in Applied Behavior Analysis to identify and manage behaviors, provide instructional feedback, and model management strategies to families of children with developmental disabilities
Assistant/Assuming Teacher
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Preschool
04.2002 - 09.2006
- Facilitated and provided a nurturing learning environment for students where real-life experience, differentiation and small groups were integral for assimilation/accommodation of information
- Created visual social story cards for a child with Autism to teach social awareness skills and behaviors while promoting communication
Education
Doctor of Education - Interdisciplinary Educational Studies
Long Island University: C.W. Post
Brookville, NY12.2018
Advanced Certificate - Educational Leadership and Administration
Long Island University: C.W. Post
Brookville, NY12.2015
Advanced Certificate - Psychology: Applied Behavior Analysis
Long Island University: C.W. Post
Brookville, NY05.2012
Master of Science - Special Education/CASE program: Applied Behavior Analysis
Long Island University: C.W. Post
Brookville, NY05.2010
Bachelor of Science - Childhood Education with Spanish Concentration
Long Island University: C.W. Post
Brookville, NY12.2008
Master of Science - Spanish linguistics
University of Sevilla
Skills
- Employee performance evaluations
- Staff management
- Verbal and written communication
- Training and mentoring
- Strategic leadership
- Curriculum development
- Instructional leadership
- Community relations
Accomplishments
- Managed school operations for 200 + students.
- Overhauled ineffective processes and designed behavior modification plan which successfully increased class performance of positive outcomes for staff.
- Established cultural days in which students and staffers provided insight into personal ethnic backgrounds, resulting in better understanding and more inclusive environment.
- Established school's social media presence and automated phone system to alert parents and students of critical or time-sensitive information.
Certification
- New York State Initial Certification, School District Leader (SDL)
- New York State Initial Certification, School Building Leader (SBL)
- New York State Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA)
- New York State Professional Certification, Childhood Education, Grades 1-6
- New York State Professional Certification, Students with Disabilities, Grades 1-6
- New York State Professional Certification, Students with Disabilities, Birth-2
- New York State Early Intervention Program Provider
Awards
Dean’s List Qualified Distinction, September 2007- June 2020
Publications
- Presentations & Speaking Engagements
- New York State Association for Behavior Analysts Annual Conference, 2015, IEP Goals: A Behavioral Approach
- Young Child Expo & Conference, 2014, Behavior Management: Leaving the Power Struggle Behind
- Parent-Child Home Program National Center Annual Conference, 2013, Behavior Management for Children
PROFESSIONAL ENGAGEMENT
- Special Education Parent Teacher Association, 2015-Present
- Lynbrook, New York
- Prior positions held: Legislative Chair, Curriculum Committee Representative, Communications Committee Representative, PTA Council Representative, Assessment Committee Representative
- Collaborated with district administrators, teachers, and families to advocate for inclusive education policies and support services.
- Coordinated parent workshops and informational sessions to build family capacity in navigating and supporting IEPs/504s
- Partnered with community organizations to fund and expand resources and programming for students with disabilities.
Languages
Spanish
Full Professional
Timeline
Principal
NYS Non-Public School
01.2018 - 01.2021
Postgraduate Student/Stay at Home Mother
Long Island University
09.2011 - 08.2012
Founding 2nd Grade Teacher
Brooklyn Scholars Elementary School
08.2009 - 08.2011
Elementary Literacy Tutor
America Reads Program, Deasy Elementary School
09.2007 - 06.2008
Respite
Nassau Suffolk Services for Autism
06.2007 - 09.2007
Undergraduate Student
Long Island University
09.2006 - 12.2008
Assistant/Assuming Teacher
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Preschool
04.2002 - 09.2006
Advanced Certificate - Educational Leadership and Administration
Long Island University: C.W. Post
Advanced Certificate - Psychology: Applied Behavior Analysis
Long Island University: C.W. Post
Master of Science - Special Education/CASE program: Applied Behavior Analysis
Long Island University: C.W. Post
Bachelor of Science - Childhood Education with Spanish Concentration
Long Island University: C.W. Post
Master of Science - Spanish linguistics
University of Sevilla
Doctor of Education - Interdisciplinary Educational Studies
Long Island University: C.W. Post
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