Melanie Hoeksema
Grand Rapids, MI,MI
Summary
Dynamic, student-centered school leader with over 30 years of experience in driving academic achievement, equity, and teacher development. Expertise in fostering strong relationships and empowering teacher leaders to create inclusive learning environments that promote student success. Certified in Cognitive Coaching and Adaptive Schools, demonstrating a commitment to facilitating impactful professional learning that enhances educational practices. Proven ability to inspire and motivate teams, leading to sustained improvements in school performance and student outcomes.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal
Forest Hills Public Schools - Ada Elementary
01.2020 - Current
- Led educational initiatives to enhance student engagement and academic performance for over 400 students.
- Increased teacher effectiveness through comprehensive coaching, professional development opportunities, and mentorship programs.
- Fostered collaborative relationships among staff, parents, and community stakeholders to support student success.
- Developed and implemented strategic plans aligned with district goals and community needs.
- Fostered a positive learning environment by promoting open communication among staff, students, and parents.
- Performed classroom evaluations to assess teacher strategies and effectiveness for over 70 staff members.
- Led school improvement efforts by setting clear expectations for staff performance and providing regular feedback on progress towards goals.
- Analyzed student performance data to drive instructional improvements and resource allocation.
Instructional Coach
Forest Hills Public Schools
01.2012 - 01.2020
- Designed and implemented professional development workshops for educators, enhancing instructional strategies.
- Collaborated with teachers to assess student needs and tailor instructional materials accordingly.
- Championed a growth mindset among staff by promoting reflective practices and encouraging educators to take risks in their instruction.
- Developed data-driven action plans to address learning gaps and promote student achievement.
- Mentored new teachers, fostering confidence and promoting best practices in pedagogy.
- Analyzed educational programs, recommending improvements based on current research and instructional trends.
- Coached teachers to improve practices through professional development and modeling instructional strategies.
- Promoted continuous improvement in teaching practices by leading professional learning communities focused on best practices and research-based strategies.
SOLID Start Coach
Michigan State University
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Coached educators in integrating science and oral language into lesson plans to improve student engagement and learning outcomes for the SOLID Start research project under the direction of Dr. Tanya Wright and Dr. Amelia Gotwals.
- Facilitated collaborative planning sessions, fostering a culture of continuous improvement among teaching staff.
- Enhanced teacher effectiveness by providing individualized coaching and professional development opportunities.
- Developed methods to motivate and engage students in learning.
- Improved instructional strategies for diverse learners by conducting classroom observations and providing constructive feedback to teachers.
Reading Consultant
Pine Ridge Elementary and Collins Elementary
01.2008 - 01.2012
- Developed individualized reading plans for students to enhance literacy skills.
- Planned and facilitated job-embedded professional learning
- Collaborated with educators to implement targeted reading interventions and strategies.
- Analyzed data to inform instructional decisions and improve student outcomes in reading.
- Delivered targeted reading and writing instruction to student groups
- Improved overall literacy rates by providing targeted support to struggling readers.
- Mentored teaching staff in best practices for integrating literacy across the curriculum.
Teacher
Forest Hills Public Schools
01.1994 - 01.2008
- Planned, delivered, and assessed differentiated instruction across all core subjects
- Implemented differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success.
- Fostered a positive classroom environment encouraging student participation.
- Collaborated with colleagues to enhance educational programs and resources.
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Enhanced classroom engagement through the use of interactive teaching methods, such as group projects and hands-on activities.
- Strengthened school-home partnerships through family collaboration
Education
Administrative Certificate - Educational Leadership
Grand Valley State University
Grand Rapids, MI01-2020
Masters Degree - Reading
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI01.1997
Bachelor of Arts - English/Elementary Education
Albion College
Albion, MI05-1993
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Employee talent development
- Strategic organizational leadership
- Climate and Culture Building
- Clear communication skills
- Critical Thinking
- Problem Solving and Decision Making
- Project coordination
- Crisis response coordination
- Training and mentoring
Accomplishments
- Spearheaded literacy improvement plan implementation which redefined performance goals and achieved 82% reading proficiency overall.
- Ada Elementary received a ranking of #21 in Michigan elementary schools and #1 in Forest Hills Public Schools according to US News and Reports (2026).
- Managed school operations for 402 students and 72 staff members.
Timeline
Principal
Forest Hills Public Schools - Ada Elementary
01.2020 - Current
SOLID Start Coach
Michigan State University
01.2018 - 01.2019
Instructional Coach
Forest Hills Public Schools
01.2012 - 01.2020
Reading Consultant
Pine Ridge Elementary and Collins Elementary
01.2008 - 01.2012
Teacher
Forest Hills Public Schools
01.1994 - 01.2008
Administrative Certificate - Educational Leadership
Grand Valley State University
Masters Degree - Reading
Western Michigan University
Bachelor of Arts - English/Elementary Education
Albion College