Marci Haynes
Chicago,IL
Summary
Distinguished, deeply passionate Early Childhood Educator and Reading Specialist offering 24 years of foundational success within Chicago Public Schools, including 20 years of dedicated Pre-K and Kindergarten classroom experience and 4 years of formal school administration. A recognized expert in early childhood development, cognitive scaffolding, and data-driven literacy intervention. Proven track record of designing high-impact learning environments, utilizing i-Ready and instructional data to close achievement gaps, and establishing strong family-community partnerships. Intentionally returning to the classroom to directly impact early childhood scholar trajectories during their most critical formative years.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Principal
Sumner Math & Science Community Academy
06.2022 - Current
- Design and facilitate school-wide professional development aligned to instructional priorities, student data, and CIWP goals.
- Support teachers in analyzing IAR and i-Ready data to adjust instruction and improve student outcomes in Math and Reading.
- School Improvement & Data-Informed Decision Making
- Collaborate with ILT and MTSS teams to align instructional strategies, Tier 1 SEL supports, and academic interventions.
- Manage master scheduling, assessment logistics, and school-wide testing administration (i-Ready MOY/EOY), ensuring compliance and instructional continuity.
- Climate, Culture, & Student Support
- Facilitate student leadership opportunities through the Student Voice Committee and Middle Grades Network.
- Family & Community Engagement
- Strengthen school-community partnerships by leading high-impact initiatives (coat drives, holiday programs), securing resources through local ministries and staff collaboration.
- Partner with families to support attendance, engagement, and student success.
- Lead attendance initiatives contributing to 96% year-to-date attendance, while supporting student recruitment and enrollment sustainability.
Preschool Teacher
Sumner Math & Science Community Academy
08.2012 - 06.2022
- Delivered high-quality early childhood instruction focused on literacy, language development, and social-emotional growth, ensuring strong readiness for preschool scholars.
- As the Primary Grade Band Lead, I facilitated instructional coaching and collaboration for K–2nd–grade teachers, ensuring vertical alignment of the primary curriculum and consistency in grading and assessment.
- Engaged member of the ILT who collaborated on the development and monitoring of the CIWP, aligning school-wide goals with district-mandated performance metrics. Also serving as a liaison between administration and faculty, communicating high-level strategic goals into actionable classroom-level initiatives.
Elementary Teacher (K–2)
Leslie Lewis Elementary School
08.2003 - 06.2012
- Built foundational literacy and numeracy skills through developmentally responsive instruction and data-informed teaching practices.
- Dedicated a decade to primary education, teaching Kindergarten as the primary grade assignment to establish a rigorous, supportive foundation for entering scholars.
- Designed and executed standards-aligned lesson plans that integrated literacy, mathematics, science, and social-emotional growth into cohesive, thematic learning units.
- Specialized in early literacy intervention, working closely with the reading team to identify and support struggling readers through structured small-group instruction.
- Developed an organized, welcoming classroom environment utilizing learning centers to promote student-led exploration, collaboration, and critical thinking.
- Maintained active, consistent communication with families through newsletters, parent teacher conferences, and community-building school events.
Education
M.A. - Educational Leadership (Type 75)
Concordia University
River Forest, IL10-2009
M.A. - Reading Specialist (Type 03)
Concordia University
River Forest, IL07-2006
B.A. - Early Childhood Education (Type 04)
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL01-2003
Skills
- Student achievement
- Data-driven instruction
- Team collaboration
- Classroom management
- Relationship building
- Problem-solving
- Documentation and record keeping
- Early Childhood Pedagogy (Pre-K -2nd)
- Foundational Literacy & Phonemic Awareness
- Data-Driven Instruction (IAR / i-Ready)
- Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
- Creative Curriculum & Play-Based Learning
- Restorative Practices & Classroom Management
- Differentiated Instructional Scaffolding
- Parent & Family Engagement Initiatives
Affiliations
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
Chicago Principals & Adminstrators Association
Educator Advisory Committee (The Fund)
Illinois Principal Association
Timeline
Assistant Principal
Sumner Math & Science Community Academy
06.2022 - Current
Preschool Teacher
Sumner Math & Science Community Academy
08.2012 - 06.2022
Elementary Teacher (K–2)
Leslie Lewis Elementary School
08.2003 - 06.2012
B.A. - Early Childhood Education (Type 04)
Northern Illinois University
M.A. - Reading Specialist (Type 03)
Concordia University
M.A. - Educational Leadership (Type 75)
Concordia University
Principal Competency Alignment
- Instructional Leadership: Teacher coaching, REACH evaluations, PD design
- Learning Environment: Restorative practices, SEL integration, student voice
- Professional Capacity: Adult learning, collaborative teams (ILT, MTSS, BHT)
- Family & Community Engagement: Partnerships, attendance, outreach
- Operational Management: Scheduling, assessments, compliance
- Equity & Cultural Responsiveness: Whole-child focus, inclusive practices