Leslie Hillen
Education
Lakewood,CO
Summary
Experienced education leader with strong focus on fostering collaborative environments and driving student success through data analysis. Skilled in curriculum development, staff mentoring, and conflict resolution. Known for adaptability, reliability, and commitment to meeting evolving needs of both students and faculty. Equipped to make significant impact through effective team management and strategic planning.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
2
2
Certification
Work History
Principal Resident (Learn 2 Lead)
Denver Public Schools
06.2025 - Current
- Acting principal during active mentorship training.
- Improved chronic absenteeism from 44% to 35%.
- Mentored teachers in classroom management and lesson planning techniques.
- Mentored teachers using new math curriculum to maintain pacing and data collection.
- Developed and maintained positive relationships with students, parents, and community stakeholders.
- Analyzed student performance data to identify areas for improvement and inform instructional strategies.
- Facilitated collaborative planning sessions for interdisciplinary teaching approaches across grade levels.
- Implemented curriculum adjustments to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
- Developed DDI structure with math teacher to support data collection and next steps.
Assistant Principal
Denver Public Schools
06.2024 - 06.2025
- Improved student data in Literacy from 38% (red) to 54% (green/blue)
- Improved student math data from 47% (red) to 29% (red)
- Analyzed student performance data to identify trends and inform strategic decision-making for program enhancements.
- Utilizing LEAP framework to calibrate and coach STLs and Teachers
- Lead, plan, facilitate weekly PD and curriculum internalization for faculty
- Ensure equity for all students including ELL, SpEd identified, LGBTQ+, students of color, & any others
- Create and maintain the SEL and PBIS system in the school for positive culture and climate
- Use DPS Discipline Matrix and create age appropriate Restorative Practices for at risk students
- Managing logistics of Transportation/Climate/Events/Operations
- Developed and implemented school-wide initiatives to enhance student engagement and academic performance.
Dean of Instruction
Denver Public Schools
07.2023 - 06.2024
- Led/Coached/Evaluated the MLE and AVID Departments with LEAP Framework
- ISA Team Lead and LCL
- Oversaw Testing, SAL, and Language Paras
- Ensured equity for all students including ELL, SpEd identified, LGBTQ+, students of color, & any others
- Planned SEL curriculum for entire staff with 50%-80% teacher fidelity
- Revamped the MTSS systems within the school working with the counselors and mental health team
- Led weekly PD for faculty
Dean of Students
Jeffco Public Schools
07.2022 - 06.2023
- Trained 100% staff on Restorative Practices/Community Circles/Demonstrate Community Circles in classrooms and PD
- Implemented Restorative Practices & Created Restorative Practices website
- Plan SEL curriculum for entire staff with 80% teacher fidelity
- Collected data for attendance & created SSP for students and families
- Collected & reported data regarding discipline disparities to increase equity in discipline practices
- Developed Grading for Equity Plan for Teachers & Led Pilot with 12 teachers
- Left this position due to reduction in staff.
Dean of Instruction
Denver Public Schools
07.2021 - 07.2022
- Maintained weekly Hallway Huddles to build community within the 9th-grade team
- Coached/Evaluated Teachers with LEAP indicators
- Developed/Implemented Grading for Equity and Redo/Retake Plan
- Trained teachers on restorative practices and Tier 1 supports
- Collaborated with Counselor to reduce absences and tardies
Dean of Students
Jefferson County Public Schools
07.2018 - 09.2020
- Member of LGBTQ Task Force & Trained Staff on inclusive language directly pertaining to LGBTQ Students/Staff/Families
- Managed Culture and Climate Committees.
- Conducted/prepared/co-facilitated PD meetings.
- Managed Evaluated/Trained para-educators.
- Reduce suspension rates through Restorative Practices.
- Conducted Suicide Risk Assessments, Threat Assessments, Title IX Investigations.
- Develop safety plans and re-entry meetings following OSS.
- Work with teachers to use Tier 1 supports in the classrooms.
- Conduct student to student, student to staff, and staff to staff conflict resolution meetings.
- Facilitated MTSS
- Left this position due to reduction in staff due to COVID 19.
- Lumberg Elementary
Dean of Students
Denver Public Schools
08.2017 - 05.2018
- Onboarded new Deans.
- Developed behavior plans following OSS.
- Conducted student to student and student to teacher conflict resolution meetings.
- Led Grade Level Hearings for students with 10+ send outs.
- Left this position due to reduction in staff.
- Strive Prep Lake
Assistant Principal/Homeschool Director
Jefferson County Public Schools
07.2014 - 06.2017
- Created middle school GSA & trained teachers about transgender rights under Title IX
- Identified bathrooms for the Transgender students. Created policies for the use of the bathrooms.
- Managed Homeschool Operations - Training, Budget, Hiring, Evaluations
- Mediated conflicts between faculty members, students, and parents.
- Facilitated weekly staff/faculty meetings with 30+ teachers.
- Mentored teachers with curriculum and classroom management needs.
- Connected with community organizations for the homeschool curriculum (Colorado Acts, REI).
- Instructed and empowered teachers to use technology for lesson planning, grading, gradebooks, and report cards.
- Doubled the program enrollment in one year. Doubled the program once again in the second year.
- Worked closely with the school budget to maintain classroom budgets and build the homeschool.
- Left this position due to reduction in staff. Colorado Professional Principal License #345653 Effective 5/04/2020-5/4/2025
- Colorado Professional Teacher License #346984 Effective 6/25/2020-6/25/2025
- Mountain Phoenix Community School
ESL Teacher/AVID Teacher/AVID Site Team Coordinator
Denver Public Schools
01.2011 - 06.2014
- Taught English as a Second Language to students from 40 different countries with various backgrounds and English language levels.
- Consistently met/exceeded performance standards on professional evaluations.
- Increased ELL test scores each year on the ACCESS Test.
- Differentiated instruction in order to reach all of the students in the classes.
- Provided extracurricular tutoring and mentoring to enhance student learning and motivation.
- Coordinated participation in the AVID Summer Institutes and Path Trainings for teachers.
- Maintained AVID school portfolio and data collection of AVID Essentials.
- Denver South High School
Education
Educational Doctorate - Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
University of Northern Colorado
Greeley, CO12.2024
Master of Arts - Education
University of Northern Colorado
Greeley, COBachelor of Arts - English
University of Northern Colorado
Greeley, COTeacher Education Certification - Cross-Cultural, Language, and Academic Emphasis
California State University
Educational Specialist - Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
University of Northern Colorado
12.2016
Skills
- DDI Leader
- Coached/Developed ILT Leaders
- Planned/Facilitated PD
- Diversity Committee Leader
- SEL/Restorative Practices Expert
- MLE/AVID Coordinator
- Culture and Climate Committee Facilitator
- School Wide Restorative Practices
- Training Staff about Rights for LGBTQ Students/Staff
- Conducted Equity Audits
- Inclusive Language Training
- Getting Better/Relay/Uncommon Schools
- English as a Second Language Teacher/Sheltered Instruction
- Inquiry/Project Based Learning
Certification
- Colorado Professional Principal License #345653 Effective 5/04/2020-5/4/2027
- Colorado Professional Teacher License #346984 Effective 6/25/2020-6/25/2027
Timeline
Principal Resident (Learn 2 Lead)
Denver Public Schools
06.2025 - Current
Assistant Principal
Denver Public Schools
06.2024 - 06.2025
Dean of Instruction
Denver Public Schools
07.2023 - 06.2024
Dean of Students
Jeffco Public Schools
07.2022 - 06.2023
Dean of Instruction
Denver Public Schools
07.2021 - 07.2022
Dean of Students
Jefferson County Public Schools
07.2018 - 09.2020
Dean of Students
Denver Public Schools
08.2017 - 05.2018
Assistant Principal/Homeschool Director
Jefferson County Public Schools
07.2014 - 06.2017
ESL Teacher/AVID Teacher/AVID Site Team Coordinator
Denver Public Schools
01.2011 - 06.2014
Educational Doctorate - Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
University of Northern Colorado
Master of Arts - Education
University of Northern Colorado
Bachelor of Arts - English
University of Northern Colorado
Teacher Education Certification - Cross-Cultural, Language, and Academic Emphasis
California State University
Educational Specialist - Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
University of Northern Colorado