Lindsay Andrade

Educational professional with extensive experience in leading academic programs and fostering positive learning environment. Known for driving curriculum innovation and enhancing student outcomes through tailored educational strategies. Focused on team collaboration and adaptability, leveraging strong leadership and communication skills to achieve results.

• Dear Managing Director and Search Committee
• I am writing to express my interest in the open position of Instructional Literacy Coach for Ann Arbor Public Schools. My teaching, curriculum design, and Educational Consultant experience has demonstrated my dedication to consistent educational follow through. These skills are central to success as an Instructional Literacy Coach. I have been given opportunities to show that I am passionate in my commitment to three things: encouraging individual performance and growth in myself and others, practicing and modeling educational equity, and instilling lifelong learning skills in the individuals to whom my content reaches.
• My qualifications include over 10 years of elementary teaching experience, and a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a major in Reading and a minor in Early Childhood Education. I also hold a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, specializing in Educational Differentiation, with a final project focus on supporting English Language Learners. My work in the field has awarded me a placement in the top five teachers for the Michigan Association of Public School Academies Teacher of the Year. In the summer of 2020, I was recognized as a Teacher of Excellence as top teacher among 90 schools within NHA’s company, an award given only to teachers with excellent student data scores, exemplary evaluations, and positive parent survey reports. While I loved being in the classroom, I am most fulfilled when I see the thoughtful plans I have created being implemented and utilized by teachers and students in the field. The Instructional Literacy Coach position gives me those opportunities. My practice while obtaining my graduate degree in Curriculum, Instruction and Educational Differentiation has prepared me for the creation and management of the ever-changing curricular opportunities for educators. My daily work as a teacher included analyzing scope and sequence documents for planning, monitoring both hybrid and in person student submissions, and reporting to teachers on my team and committees. For the past 13 months, I have worked as a Professional Development Specialist with Curriculum Associates, striving to make classrooms a better place for teachers and students. This experience would make me a valuable team member, as it would allow me to better coordinate and lead a variety of team meetings and interactions.
• The position of Instructional Literacy Coach would continue to maximize my skills and give me an opportunity to enhance students’ learning through research and planning, and content delivery. I am well versed in both parent and student outreach and communication, and throughout my time working in education both virtually and in person, I have fine-tuned how to incorporate technology in this process. I can bring this experience of teaching and working throughout COVID 19, as well as in the field of delivery, to help meet the multi-faceted needs of students and educators. Remaining active in the world of education during this pandemic has enhanced my skill set to incorporate technological administrative duties as well. Managing and tracking the progress of schools and administration virtually has given me a sound understanding of what components are necessary for virtual learning success. It has taught me to appreciate even more the value of preparedness while also being flexible. In these fluctuating times, I have learned to think more deeply about my communication methods and to be able to shift as needed. My attention to student accessibility will be an asset to Ann Arbor Public Schools.
• My commitment to educational access extends beyond elementary education. In the last two years I have worked with Wolverine Pathways both as a Writing Mentor and College Prep Instructor, while simultaneously teaching at Achieve Charter Academy. Teaching and mentoring such a diverse population of college bound 11th and 12th graders allowed me a chance to contribute to the success of students at different ends of the college access pipeline. As a team member, my work ranged from individual student advising to in person and virtual curriculum planning. I also collaborated on content design and rollout, as well as reviewing taught curriculum. I most recently did work in the role of Wolverine Program Coordinator Assistant and performed administrative duties to support program managers with their unique projects and tasks.
• My record of administrative excellence has led me to a number of critical leadership roles in the school network. For several years I worked as Content Leader for my school region where I delivered research based and curriculum specific information to adults in my field. This experience of training teachers was both valuable and fulfilling. Throughout this process I created virtual and in person professional development courses and led large group workshops for over 60 teachers at a time, from eight schools in the regional area. These topics included formative assessment, inquiry and project-based learning, and trauma informed teaching supports. Throughout my professional career I have utilized my strong organizational, instructional, and leadership skills across a range of educational settings and platforms. I have enjoyed working in these distinct various organizations simultaneously while producing high quality instruction and projects.
• At the start of this school year, I began traveling the Midwest to deliver iReady professional development sessions to meet the needs of schools and teachers. This experience has connected with many Washtenaw and Wayne County School District Administrators and teachers to help them plan for success with intervention supports. It would be an honor to expand on my experience and to carry over my experience for offering intervention alternatives in a district that maintains high educational standards, and provides educators and students with opportunities for personal growth.
• Thank you for your consideration and please feel free to contact me for more information or references, or to set up a meeting.
• Lindsay Andrade