MARIA SORIA
Houston,TX
Summary
Educational Leader experienced in fostering collaborative team environments and driving student success. Achieved improvements in instructional systems through strategic partnerships with campus leadership and implementation of coaching cycles from early childhood to fifth grade. Focused on enhancing teaching practices and ensuring compliance with special education services while promoting positive and inclusive school culture.
Overview
1
1
Certification
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal Apprentice
Houston ISD
07.2026 - Current
- Partnered with campus leadership to enhance instructional systems and drive progress toward A-rated campus through classroom observation, coaching, PLCs, and data-driven action planning.
- Lead coaching cycles across PK-5 using lesson internalization, modeling, in-the-moment coaching, and observation feedback focused on pacing, writing, student discourse, exemplars, and teaching to the DO L.
- Analyze SPOT and IRT trends to identify campuswide priorities and implement rapid-response action plans with measurable 2-hour, 2-day, and 2-week follow-through.
- Supported campus operations and staff development, implementing MTSS/behavior systems, optimizing special education staffing, and improving family communication and instructional readiness across grade levels.
Assistant Principal
Scarborough High School
07.2025 - 07.2026
- Led the English Department and ESOL 1/2 instructional programs, coaching teachers through SPOT observations, lesson internalization, modeling, and data-driven feedback aligned to district instructional expectations.
- Led the campus for Emergent Bilingual/TELPAS systems and coordinated IAT/504 processes to strengthen compliance, progress monitoring, and support for a large population of emergent bilingual and newcomer students.
- Directed Saturday tutorials and progress monitoring for STAAR EOC retesters, implementing instructional responses for English I and II to improve student performance.
- Facilitated professional learning and coaching on pacing, student discourse, and writing, focusing on checks for understanding and instructional adjustments to enhance teaching effectiveness.
Founding Bilingual Assistant Principal
YES Prep, Southwest Oaks ES
07.2024 - 05.2025
- Spearheaded a robust coaching program for Pre-K through 2nd grade bilingual and special education teachers, enhancing instructional quality and promoting evidence-based practices that directly impacted student achievement and engagement.
- Led the successful establishment and execution of the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), providing strategic direction for intervention teams and ensuring targeted, data-driven interventions for students across all performance tiers, significantly improving academic outcomes.
- Directed the campus-wide planning and administration of the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS), including professional development for staff and the strategic alignment of instructional practices to ensure accurate assessment and high proficiency levels for English Language Learners.
- Launched and oversee comprehensive afterschool care program providing academic support and enrichment for students, promoting social-emotional growth and academic success beyond regular school hours.
- Mentored aspiring school leaders by offering guidance and structured support to leadership team members pursuing principal certification, facilitating their development into effective educational leaders.
- Actively contributed to the professional development of grade-level leadership teams, fostering collaboration and facilitating the sharing of best practices, leading to improved instructional practices, team cohesion, and overall student performance.
- Delivered campus-wide professional development sessions tailored to diverse learning needs, focusing on instructional strategies, differentiated teaching methods, and classroom management to support faculty's continuous improvement.
- Established a culture of data-driven decision-making, empowering teachers to use student performance data to adjust instruction, monitor progress, and refine strategies, ultimately resulting in increased student achievement and teacher efficacy.
Director of Special Populations
Yellowstone Schools- Yellowstone College Prep
10.2023 - 06.2024
- Monitored implementation of campus special education services, ensuring compliance for 100+ students and facilitating access to necessary resources.
- Monitored campus ARD/IEP process and case management system implementation to ensure compliance, raising compliance from 30% to 100% of Annual ARD completion.
- Reviewed and analyzed student performance, LRE, and campus data to ensure accuracy, contributing to enhanced compliance and informed decision-making.
- Provided training and consultation for general and special education teachers in elementary, middle, and high school settings.
- Managed Special Education Budget, supply ordering, and billing for the Special Education Department.
- Managed special education budget and coordinated supply ordering and billing, optimizing resource allocation for the Special Education Department.
Special Education Department Chair
Cage Elementary & Project Chrysalis Middle School- Houston Independent School District
07.2023 - 09.2023
- Developed and delivered training sessions on special education best practices, enhancing staff skills and student support.
- Collaborated with special education and general education staff to assess and address student needs, fostering inclusive learning environments.
- Trained staff on Special Education best practices
- Mentored new special education teachers, providing guidance on best practices and classroom management techniques.
- Coordinated resource allocation for 80+ students and 30+ instructors, ensuring adequate support and compliance with educational standards.
- Maintained compliance in accordance with district and state requirements
SLC-Alt Teacher
Structured Learning Classroom- Houston Independent School District
09.2020 - 07.2023
- Incorporated intensive individualized lesson plans for the academic, social, communication, and behavioral needs of each student
- Implemented plans and procedures to meet the individual needs of Students with Autism
- Worked with a multi-grade level spectrum from 1st to 5th grade.
- Prepared individualized education plans (IEPs) tailored to each student's specific learning needs and goals.
- Drafted and adjusted educational goals and objectives to reflect student progress during annual IEP meetings.
- Communicated with parents through individual contact to address specific home needs.
- Working with parents through individual contact based on home needs
- Maintained accurate records of student progress, attendance, and behavior to facilitate ongoing communication with parents about their child''s educational journey.
Autism Teacher
Center for Early Autism Intervention: Alief Independent School District
07.2019 - 08.2020
- Incorporating intensive individualized lesson plans for the academic, social, communication, and behavioral needs of each student
- Incorporated intensive individualized lesson plans targeting academic, social, communication, and behavioral needs of each student
- Worked with a multi-grade level spectrum from EC to PK.
- Providing IEPs for every activity
- Documented and analyzed progress data for each student to inform instructional strategies
- Created and modified goals and objectives for yearly IEP meetings to align with student needs
- Trained parents monthly on strategies tailored to home needs
- Working directly under a Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Preschool Program for Children With Disabilities Teacher
Mahanay Elementary: Alief Independent School District
08.2018 - 06.2019
- Implemented plans and procedures to address individual needs of special education students, enhancing personalized learning experiences
- Developed differentiated lesson plans for the unique needs of PPCD students
- Collaborated with a multi-grade level spectrum from EC to PK.
- Collaborated with educators to support students across early childhood to pre-kindergarten levels.
PALS Program Teacher
Fonwood Early Childhood Center: Houston Independent School District
08.2017 - 07.2018
- Implemented plans and procedures to address individual needs of special education students
- Developed differentiated lesson plans for PALS students
- Worked with a multi-grade level spectrum from PK-3 to Kindergarten.
- Developed IEPs and 504 accommodations for every activity.
Dual Language Kindergarten Teacher/ Special Education Resource Teacher
Amigos Por Vida: Charter School
02.2016 - 08.2017
- Met the individual needs of Special Education students.
- Incorporated IEPs and 504 accommodations into every activity
- Provided one-on-one instruction to students with ADHD, LD, and ID during independent practice.
- Collaborated with teachers to address student needs in math and reading, enhancing overall learning experiences
- Created engaging lessons that aligned with curriculum standards for diverse learners. that incorporate curriculum guidelines for grades Pre-K through 8th grade
- Increased reading levels in English through frequent exposure to language using workstations and hands-on activities
- Incorporated a guided math program into the class
- Delivered one-on-one instruction to students with ADHD, LD, and ID, fostering academic progress during independent practice
- Generate lessons that incorporate curriculum guidelines for grades Pre-K through 8th grade
Education
Master’s in Education - Educational Leadership Program
Houston Christian University
Houston, TXBachelor of Science - Elementary Education with Special Education
Houston Baptist University
Houston, TXSkills
- TELPAS administration
- IEP compliance
- Special education compliance
- IEP case management
- MTSS administration
- Data analysis
- Instructional support
- Leadership development
Certification
- Core Subjects, 01/31/2028
- Special Education, 01/31/2028
- ESL Supplement 01/31/2028
- Principal as Instructional Leader, 01/31/2028
Profile - Highlights
- Houston ISD’s Elementary Teacher of the Year 2022
- Bilingual: Spanish
- Behavioral management skills
- Reading By Design Trained
- Advancing Educational Leadership Trained
- T-TESS Appraiser Trained
- Proven organizational & time management skills
- Applied Behavior Analysis Trained
Timeline
Principal Apprentice
Houston ISD
07.2026 - Current
Assistant Principal
Scarborough High School
07.2025 - 07.2026
Founding Bilingual Assistant Principal
YES Prep, Southwest Oaks ES
07.2024 - 05.2025
Director of Special Populations
Yellowstone Schools- Yellowstone College Prep
10.2023 - 06.2024
Special Education Department Chair
Cage Elementary & Project Chrysalis Middle School- Houston Independent School District
07.2023 - 09.2023
SLC-Alt Teacher
Structured Learning Classroom- Houston Independent School District
09.2020 - 07.2023
Autism Teacher
Center for Early Autism Intervention: Alief Independent School District
07.2019 - 08.2020
Preschool Program for Children With Disabilities Teacher
Mahanay Elementary: Alief Independent School District
08.2018 - 06.2019
PALS Program Teacher
Fonwood Early Childhood Center: Houston Independent School District
08.2017 - 07.2018
Dual Language Kindergarten Teacher/ Special Education Resource Teacher
Amigos Por Vida: Charter School
02.2016 - 08.2017
Master’s in Education - Educational Leadership Program
Houston Christian University
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education with Special Education
Houston Baptist University