Hi, I’m
Lisa Upper
Phoenix,AZ
Summary
Educator and entrepreneur with proven track record in teaching, educational leadership, and business ownership. Seasoned leader skilled at identifying new growth opportunities, improving existing processes, designing actionable strategies and structuring change, bringing extensive knowledge of academic and business operations to an organization.
Overview
45
years of professional experience
Work History
North Valley Christian AcademyPhoenix, AZ
Director of Fine Arts
05.2021 - Current
Job overview
- Brought fractured, independent disciplines together to form a cohesive, united Fine Arts Department that collaborated with itself and core curriculum teachers to support and enhance the school's mission.
- Kept the budget within parameters; increased its depth by developing relationships with patrons and advocates of the Fine Arts, successfully asking them for sizable monetary and in-kind donations.
- Hired, supervised, observed, developed and evaluated faculty.
- Oversaw art, music, and theater content and productions/showcases, making sure they aligned with school purpose and philosophy.
- Worked with administrative team to prioritize Fine Arts events and programming.
Edward JonesPhoenix, AZ
Financial Advisor
07.2019 - Current
Job overview
- Educated clients on various financial matters and provided professional recommendations on investment opportunities, products and services based on each clients' individual needs.
- Assisted clients with preparing financial plans, conducting investment research and completing trades and transactions to assess and meet financial goals.
North Valley Christian AcademyPhoenix, AZ
Elementary Principal
08.2017 - 06.2019
Job overview
- Provided leadership to faculty, staff, and students at a Christian, PK-12 school comprised of 350+ students.
- Supervised instruction in all core subjects; analyzed curricula and oversaw its implementation including Spalding and Core Knowledge.
- Interpreted standardized test scores and set actionable goals for improved student achievement. Implemented quarterly standardized testing program that informed teachers of individual educational needs and strategies for meeting them. Within six months student scores improved by 20%.
- Monitored behavior and enforced discipline policies.
- Made executive decisions regarding expenses and funds in the budget.
- Created extracurricular academic student programming and managed established regional competitions.
- Developed and maintained Fine Arts programming and community partnerships.
- Facilitated multiple stand alone and ongoing fundraisers; recruited and managed internal and external volunteers
- Cultivated positive relationships between community members, school students and teachers.
- Mentored newly hired educators and provided encouragement and feedback.
Caldwell AcademyGreensboro, NC
Media Specialist
08.2008 - 06.2017
Job overview
- Developed and executed yearly budgets to purchase yearly acquisition of books, periodicals, supplies and computer software and hardware. Solicited donations and received grants, increasing program budget by 300%.
- Encouraged reading, information literacy skills and information resources through book clubs and reading programs.
- Collaborated with teachers by scheduling library activities and procuring resources.
- Developed and maintained collection of resources appropriate to curriculum, students and teaching and learning styles inherent within school community.
- Began ongoing enrichment programs to engage students in additional academic activities including participation in "Book Buddies", "Math Olympics", "Speech Meet", spelling bees, and after-school drama clubs.
Living History KidsGreensboro, NC
Owner and Director, Summer Camp Program
06.2008 - 07.2016
Job overview
- Created, owned, and directed a summer camp program that conceptualized history-themed, weekly summer camps and after-school camps for K-8 students.
- Managed a team of 10 counselors and enrolled 600+ children children each summer.
- Wrote program curriculum that infused history lessons with hands-on activities.
- Established a peer mentoring program for established campers to become the next generation of counselors.
- Started business from the ground up, designed branding and marketing materials and wrote proforma based on trends and forecasts, increasing revenue to $100K+ in three years
Dillard's Department StoreGreensboro, NC
Store Manager
08.2006 - 01.2008
Job overview
- Oversaw all operations of retails sales for large department store women's department store.
- Met every quarterly sales goal.
- Formed successful business partnerships.
The Pampered ChefGreensboro, NC
Independent Sales Director
09.1994 - 12.2006
Job overview
- Performed in the top 5% in national sales (company net sales $500 mm)
- Performed in the top 2% in recruitment (company consultants numbering 65K)
- Trained consultants nationally.
Berkshire Christian AcademyLenox, MA
Elementary School Principal
06.2004 - 05.2005
Job overview
- Grew enrollment by 30% through targeted advertising and focus groups.
- Executed responsibilities as required by the Head of School and School Board.
Caldwell AcademyGreensboro, NC
Elementary Assistant Principal
08.2003 - 06.2004
Job overview
- Partnered with Principal to administer school program in alignment with vision and goals, providing positive, high-expectation academic environment.
Caldwell AcademyGreensboro, NC
Lead Teacher
08.2001 - 06.2004
Job overview
- Developed and optimized rich learning environment by capitalizing on diverse engagement strategies and enriching teaching techniques.
- Maintained detailed records of attendance, test scores and assignment grades for each student to identify trends and rectify issues.
- Managed classroom procedures and student behavior.
- Taught after school drama classes.
- Recruited and managed internal and external volunteers and guests.
- Published: Association of Classical Christian Schools "Classis" magazine - Whence Cometh My Help? Finding and Developing Excellent Classical Christian Teachers".
- Presented: Society of Classical Learning Annual Conference - Integrating the Curriculum, Making It All Fit.
North Carolina Public SchoolsGreensboro, NC
Elementary Classroom Teacher
08.1990 - 06.1994
Job overview
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
- Taught core subjects of math, science, technology and history.
- Planned lessons according to district standards to cover requirements and prepare for standardized tests.
- Assessed student learning progress and comprehension with routine tests and standardized examinations.
Education
University of North Carolina At Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
Master of Arts from Library And Information Science
05.2013
University of North Carolina At Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
Master of Arts from School Administration
12.2002
Wake Forest University, Winston-salem, NC
Bachelor of Arts from Education
05.1990
Volunteerism
- Creator and Chairman of the Board, The Copper Curtain Theater, Phoenix, AZ
- Executive Board Member, Desert Foothills Theater, Scottsdale, AZ
- Executive Board Member, Community Theater of Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
- Fundraising Leadership Team, Restoration Place Counseling
- Host Family, Chinese International Student
- School Accreditation Review Teams, (ACSI and AdvancED) Greensboro, NC and Phoenix, AZ
- Women's Mentoring Ministries Director, Valley Life Church, Phoenix, AZ
- Pianist, Worship Team, Valley Life Church, Phoenix, AZ
- Vacation Bible School Director, Valley Life Church, Phoenix, AZ
Timeline
Director of Fine Arts
North Valley Christian Academy
05.2021 - Current
Financial Advisor
Edward Jones
07.2019 - Current
Elementary Principal
North Valley Christian Academy
08.2017 - 06.2019
Media Specialist
Caldwell Academy
08.2008 - 06.2017
Owner and Director, Summer Camp Program
Living History Kids
06.2008 - 07.2016
Store Manager
Dillard's Department Store
08.2006 - 01.2008
Elementary School Principal
Berkshire Christian Academy
06.2004 - 05.2005
Elementary Assistant Principal
Caldwell Academy
08.2003 - 06.2004
Lead Teacher
Caldwell Academy
08.2001 - 06.2004
Independent Sales Director
The Pampered Chef
09.1994 - 12.2006
Elementary Classroom Teacher
North Carolina Public Schools
08.1990 - 06.1994
University of North Carolina At Greensboro
Master of Arts from Library And Information Science
University of North Carolina At Greensboro
Master of Arts from School Administration
Wake Forest University
Bachelor of Arts from Education
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