Maria Linda Hernandez
Weslaco,TX
Summary
Accomplished Elementary School Principal at Weslaco Independent School District, adept in instructional leadership and fostering collaborative learning environments. Demonstrated success in enhancing school performance and teacher effectiveness through strategic leadership and staff management. Skilled in building strong relationships, with a proven track record of promoting diversity and inclusivity. Organizational leader and educational administrator offering 9 years of experience as Principal for elementary school leadership. Exercises honed competencies in development, implementation and execution of performance-enhancing programs. Outstanding skills in parent communication, conflict resolution and staff management. Known for consistently supporting faculty and staff as advocate leader.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Elementary School Principal
Weslaco Independent School District
01.2015 - 12.2023
- Promoted diversity within the school community by cultivating an inclusive atmosphere that respected individual differences among students and staff members alike.
- Mentored new teachers through observation feedback sessions, contributing to their growth as educators within the school system.
- Developed a comprehensive strategic plan that guided the school's direction while adhering to state standards and requirements.
- Managed staffing, 80 staff, decisions by hiring qualified candidates who aligned with the school''s values and mission statement while balancing budgetary constraints effectively.
- Reduced disciplinary issues by developing and enforcing clear expectations for student behavior and academic progress.
- Collaborated with district leaders to align school goals and initiatives with the broader educational vision.
- Streamlined administrative processes for improved efficiency in areas such as budgeting, scheduling, and staff evaluations.
- Evaluated curriculum effectiveness through regular assessments, modifying materials as necessary to meet student needs.
- Implemented innovative technology solutions to enhance teaching methods and improve overall student achievement.
- Boosted community partnerships by actively engaging local businesses and organizations in support of school programs.
- Increased parent involvement by organizing events, workshops, and regular communication channels to keep families informed and engaged.
- Oversaw special projects or programs aimed at improving academic outcomes for all students across various grade levels.
- Evaluated teacher performance (30-35 teachers) using objective measures, TTESS, and constructive feedback, fostering continuous improvement in instructional practices.
- Led fundraising efforts that generated additional resources for extracurricular activities, classroom enhancements, or student support services.
- Championed professional development opportunities for staff members, resulting in increased retention rates and teacher satisfaction. Presented on various instructional programs such as SIPPS, Developing Culture in schools, Data Analysis, TAIS Plans, etc.
- Monitored compliance with federal, state, and local regulations to ensure a safe and lawful educational environment for all stakeholders.
- Enhanced school performance by implementing data-driven strategies and collaborating with teachers on instructional practices.
- Facilitated collaboration between departments or grade levels to create interdisciplinary learning experiences that enriched students'' understanding of core concepts.
- Spearheaded school-wide initiatives aimed at reducing the achievement gap among diverse student populations by targeting specific areas of need through targeted interventions.
- Established a positive learning environment by fostering strong relationships with students, parents, and staff members.
- Administered personnel policies and procedures for school faculty and staff.
- Trained teachers on effective teaching techniques, classroom management strategies, and behavior modification.
- Instructed small groups of teachers and students.
- Supervised afterschool program to promote student growth and maintain safety for all attendees.
- Monitored student behavior and enforced discipline policies.
- Cultivated positive relationships between community members, school students, and teachers.
- Mentored newly hired educators and provided encouragement and feedback.
- Performed classroom evaluations to assess teacher strategies and effectiveness. (TTESS System, All Domains were highly stressed.)
- Communicated policies and procedures to students and parents regarding student behavior.
- Administered personnel policies and procedures and approved professional staff additions. Teacher Handbook, BOY staff development.
- Oversaw schedule management and protocols for orientation, registration, and related activities.
GEAR UP Facilitator
Weslaco ISD
06.2001 - 05.2003
- Built rapport with diverse groups of stakeholders by demonstrating empathy, active listening skills, and cultural competence during facilitated sessions.
- Fostered an inclusive learning environment by addressing diverse needs and adapting facilitation techniques as needed to all 8th grade students. Followed them on to Weslaco East High School as Freshman.
- Delivered high-quality training sessions, ensuring participants developed a thorough understanding of the subject matter.
- Increased participant engagement by incorporating interactive activities and group discussions into sessions.
- Contributed to improved team performance by facilitating workshops on communication, collaboration, and problem-solving techniques.
School Counselor
Weslaco ISD
08.1999 - 06.2001
- Enhanced student emotional well-being by providing individual and group counseling sessions.
- Collaborated with teachers and administrators to address the social, emotional, and academic needs of all students.
- Developed a safe and supportive school environment by promoting positive behavior and addressing issues such as bullying and harassment.
- Provided crisis intervention in response to emergencies, employing existing trust, and rapport to deescalate situations.
- Maintained positive relationships with students, faculty, alumni, and administration.
- Implemented data-driven strategies to identify areas of need within the school population, leading to targeted interventions and support services.
- Partnered with parents and guardians to promote student success in school environment.
- Developed and implemented individualized behavior plans to assist students with achieving academic and behavioral goals.
- Maintained a high level of professional development through continuous education, conference attendance, and participation in professional organizations related to school counseling.
Education
Administrative Certification - Certification in Educational Administration
University of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX05.2005
Master of Arts - Guidance And Counseling
University of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX12.1999
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
The University of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX12.1990
Skills
- Instructional Leadership
- Collaborative learning
- Teacher Evaluation
- Staff Management
- Curriculum Development
- School safety
- Financial Leadership
- Organizational Leadership
- Team Collaboration
- Verbal and written communication
- Relationship building and networking
- Strategic leadership
Accomplishments
- Nominated for "National Distinguished Principal Program" (NAESP) in 2023, named as one of the "Top 4" selected for final round.
- Improved student STAAR testing scores to attain district, state, and federal standards.
- Enlisted parents and community support in fundraising initiatives to raise funds for student initiatives.
- Established school's social media presence and automated phone system to alert parents and students of critical or time-sensitive information.
- Set high-level goals for both students and teachers to encourage both parties to strive for personal best and succeeded in implementing long-term strategy with positive results.
Certification
Certified Bilingual Teacher
Certified in TTESS evaluations
Have attended and received trainings in various staff developments and workshops.
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Elementary School Principal
Weslaco Independent School District
01.2015 - 12.2023
GEAR UP Facilitator
Weslaco ISD
06.2001 - 05.2003
School Counselor
Weslaco ISD
08.1999 - 06.2001
Administrative Certification - Certification in Educational Administration
University of Texas Pan American
Master of Arts - Guidance And Counseling
University of Texas Pan American
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
The University of Texas At San Antonio
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