Liz Ritz
Summary
Educational leader with 24 years of service in collaboratively building a positive, transformational culture that supports belonging, high quality instruction, culturally responsive pedagogy, reflective practice, transparency, and strategic partnerships in service to student learning and wellness
Track record of improved academic outcomes, staff retention, elevating student voice, and continuous improvement focused on equity and inclusion
Expertise in data-informed, student-centered decision making grounded in research based practices
Experience in fiscal responsibility and federal/state compliance
Commitment to community partnerships as a district ambassador who is visible, accessible, and approachable
Skilled in providing transparent communication systems across stakeholder groups
Effective facilitator of teams, professional learning experiences, and coaching for instructional leadership
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
K-12 DIRECTOR OF TEACHING & LEARNING
Oak Harbor Public Schools
01.2019 - Current
- Member of Superintendent Cabinet/Expanded Cabinet
- Member of leadership team for Strategic Planning Process
- AVID District Director
- State and Federal grant writing and compliance
- Lead for Title 1 and Learning Assistance Program (LAP)
- Professional Development for certificated and non-certificated staff
- Lead for District Equity Team
- Managed budget of $[Amount] for [Type] instruction of [Number] students
- Represented educational program at meetings and conferences to serve as subject matter liaison for array of services and activities assigned
- Conferred and resolved education-related issues and problems with students, parents and school officials
- Implemented program-level departmental policies and procedures and managed budgets to support educational program and curriculum
- Planned and implemented staff development and in-service training programs to enhance knowledge and skills
- Evaluated programs and monitored implementation and compliance with regulations to achieve objectives
- Built rapport with young clients and families using tailored emails and newsletters
- Counseled and monitored at-risk students for attendance, academic progress and behavioral concerns
- Oversaw development and implementation of quality educational programs
- Prepared action plans to address concerns discovered through surveys, classroom observations and conversations with stakeholders
- Reviewed and refreshed [Type] curriculum with faculty members to continuously improve quality of instruction
- Developed engaging and effective curricula for students aged [Number] to [Number]
- Recruited, trained and mentored faculty and staff in best practices for instruction
- Developed partnerships with parents, businesses and organizations to build awareness, increase support and share resources
K-12 DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION
Bellevue School District
01.2015 - 01.2019
- Lead for K-12 professional learning
- Equity and Inclusion
- New Teacher and Administrator Induction
- Instructional Coaching
- Curriculum adoptions, new course proposals, and rigorous course progression
- NCAA compliance
- Conferred with educators to rebalance classes, increase resource utilization, and integrate new technology
- Devised programs to promote diversity and inclusion among staff, faculty and students
- Implemented strategies to increase student recruiting, engagement and retention
- Collaborated with faculty, staff and students to identify and address institutional challenges
- Guided and supported faculty and staff in development of new programs
- Developed and implemented student success initiatives to recognize and encourage achievement
- Monitored and assessed results of postsecondary programs and services to identify and capitalize on potential improvements
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems
- Demonstrated creativity and resourcefulness through the development of innovative solutions
- Gained extensive knowledge in data entry, analysis and reporting
ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL
Cherry Crest Elementary
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Administered personnel policies and procedures for school faculty and staff
- Trained teachers on effective teaching techniques, classroom management strategies, and behavior modification
- Researched and incorporated new educational trends and instructional strategies to optimize education effectiveness
- Performed classroom evaluations to assess teacher strategies and effectiveness
- Defined and enforced student academic achievement standards in line with district goals and objectives
- Cultivated positive relationships between community members, school students, and teachers
- Mentored newly hired educators and provided encouragement and feedback
- Established instructional practices driven through statistical performance data
- Administered personnel policies and procedures and approved professional staff additions
- Verified adherence to state, federal and private funding source requirements across programs and outcomes
- Monitored and evaluated educational programs to maintain high-quality performance objectives and standards
- Communicated policies and procedures to students and parents regarding student behavior
- Formulated and implemented school safety and security policies
- Proven record of developing and implementing school policies to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations
- Monitored student progress and implemented intervention strategies to support student success
- Communicated with parents to encourage active parental participation in education
- Developed and coordinated after-school programs and activities
- Observed teachers, documented activities and implemented improvement plans to optimize classrooms
- Established positive, stimulating learning environment for students and exciting education-focused setting for teachers
- Collaborated with administration staff to develop functional budgets within allocated funds
- Studied assessment information covering students, teachers and school operations to formulate improvement plans
- Coordinated staff and student activities to promote a safe and productive learning environment
ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL
Woodridge Elementary
01.2006 - 01.2013
ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL
Stevenson Elementary
01.2005 - 01.2006
INSTRUCTIONAL COACH & PRINCIPAL INTERN
01.2004 - 01.2005
ELEMENTARY TEACHER
01.2000 - 01.2004
PARA-EDUCATOR, SPECIAL EDUCATION
01.1997 - 01.1998
Education
Doctor of Education - Coursework Complete; Dissertation In Progress
Washington State University
07.2024
Superintendent Credential -
Washington State University
01.2020
Danforth Educational Leadership Program -
University of Washington
01.2005
Masters in Teaching K-8 & K-12 Special Education Endorsement -
University of Washington
01.2000
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
University of Oregon
01.1997
Skills
- Lead for district Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
- Leadership and experience in organizational change
- Experience in technology integration
- Science of Reading Pedagogy
- Early Literacy Screener and Dyslexia Awareness
- Lead for Title I/Title IIa, Learning Assistance Program, Highly Capable, TPEP, Title IV, and Assessment
- Shared leadership, collaboration, and team processes expertise
- Lead for social emotional learning implementation, including student voice surveys
- Experience in public speaking and presentations to School Board, community organizations, parent groups, student groups, government officials
- Principal Coaching expertise
Accomplishments
- Planned and Implemented Reconnect & ReIgnite Conference in 2021 and 2022 with keynote speakers, 60 choice learning sessions, student voice video, unique to our district spoken word poetry & MTSS Focus; Featured in Whidbey News Times Article August 2021
- Featured in Seattle Times Article January 2021; Led K-12 Social Emotional Learning Curriculum Adoption 2020; Planned & Implemented Three Day Leadership Retreat 2020 & 2021
- Featured in Microsoft Education Professional Development Blog 2018; Featured in Microsoft Education Article on STEM for K-5 2018
- Keynote Speaker: Jubilee Reach Community Partner Fundraiser 2018
- Volunteer for Whidbey Community Foundation, Oak Harbor Youth Coalition, and Oak Harbor Citizens for Better Schools; Danielson Framework Statewide Trainer Experience & training in CEL 5D; Member of Bellevue School District Inclusive Practices Advisory Team; Frequent Principal Mentor and Coach; Member of District Bargaining Team; Member of Eastside Pathways Early Learning Collaborative; Frequent presenter to Bellevue Schools Foundation; Adjunct Professor City University Para to Cert Program; Leadership presentations at University of Washington and Washington State University; Evaluated at Distinguished level of TPEP and scored as top administrator in Bellevue in Organizational Health, Member of WASA Instructional Leadership Cohort 2021-present; Co-Founder of Whidbey Youth Rugby Club, 2017 Washington State TEARS Foundation co-president
Values
- Belonging
- Integrity
- Curiosity
Leadership Accomplishments
Evaluated at Distinguished Level of TPEP and scored as top administrator in Bellevue in Organizational Health
Member of WASA Instructional Leadership Cohort 2021 - 2023
Additional Information
Board member of Citizens Against Domestic Abuse, Whidbey Island (2024)
Member of Oak Harbor Youth Coalition and Citizens for Better Schools (2022 - present)
Co-Founder and Coaching Coordinator of Whidbey Growlers Youth Rugby Club (2022 - present)
State President Non-Profit TEARS Foundation (2017-2019)
Timeline
K-12 DIRECTOR OF TEACHING & LEARNING
Oak Harbor Public Schools
01.2019 - Current
K-12 DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION
Bellevue School District
01.2015 - 01.2019
ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL
Cherry Crest Elementary
01.2013 - 01.2015
ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL
Woodridge Elementary
01.2006 - 01.2013
ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL
Stevenson Elementary
01.2005 - 01.2006
INSTRUCTIONAL COACH & PRINCIPAL INTERN
01.2004 - 01.2005
ELEMENTARY TEACHER
01.2000 - 01.2004
PARA-EDUCATOR, SPECIAL EDUCATION
01.1997 - 01.1998
Doctor of Education - Coursework Complete; Dissertation In Progress
Washington State University
Superintendent Credential -
Washington State University
Danforth Educational Leadership Program -
University of Washington
Masters in Teaching K-8 & K-12 Special Education Endorsement -
University of Washington
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
University of Oregon