MELANIE JISKRA
Lakeville,MN
Summary
To apply my administrative and executive director experiences in an education leadership position that creates and supports positive outcomes for scholars and all invested stakeholders.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Coaching Specialist
AMPACT (Reading and Math Corps)
State Of Minnesota
01.2026 - Current
- Education expert in literacy and numeracy committed to achieving positive and equitable outcomes for scholars
- Provides technical supervision and support to a cohort of tutors at assigned schools to ensure Reading Corps and/or Math Corps model is delivered with fidelity and scholars make adequate progress
- Observe tutors for fidelity to Reading Corps and/or Math Corps assessments and interventions
- Provide coaching support to tutors and Internal Coaches to maintain high levels of fidelity to the model
- Participate in data-decision making teams at site to review data and plan for interventions that best meet the literacy and numeracy needs of scholars
- Collaborate with school staff to identify and prioritize scholars to receive targeted supplemental intervention aligned with site's MTSS system
Executive Director / K-8 Principal
Aspen Academy District 4184
Savage, MN
07.2017 - 10.2025
- Recipient of academic excellence award 2019 US Dept. of Education Blue Ribbon School
- Led building to MESPA 2025-2026 School of Excellence Designation and 2020 STEM Innovation Award
- Incorporated collaborative instructional planning with full educational team bi-monthly
- Selected Member of ServeMinnesota Statewide Education Stakeholder Committee
- Supported MTSS implementation to align systems and supports for meeting needs of all scholars
- Enhanced marketing initiative and increased enrollment
- Created scheduling to offer more electives and accelerated course options for middle school
- Completed PBIS application for school; in second year of implementation
- Oversaw daily operation of K-8 building to ensure safety, clean buildings and grounds, quality instruction, and high expectations
- Ex-Officio Board Member
- Responsible for implementation of Board of Education’s Strategic Plan
- Maintaining compliance with federal and state regulations in all areas of general and special education
- Collaborated with Business Manager/Finance for oversight
- Responsible for screening, interviewing, and hiring highly qualified and licensed staff
- Supervised, coached, and evaluated licensed and non-licensed staff
- Held weekly observations and coaching sessions for novice and veteran staff
- Implemented culturally responsive teacher evaluation model
- Finalist for Minnesota Principal of the Year, 2023
Master Literacy Coach/Statewide Trainer
Minnesota Reading Corps-ServeMinnesota
MN
01.2008 - 01.2018
- Responsible for training of new and returning Reading Corps Literacy Tutors
- Master Literacy coaching for assurance of intervention fidelity and integrity delivery of assigned sites; provide guidance for compliance of program
- Responsible for data review meetings with tutor and site internal coach
- Guidance on data decision making for intervention changes, if warranted
- Deliver training statewide on current data management system
- Deliver training statewide on interventions and data decision making protocols
- Support tutors, internal coaches, and building administration in MN Reading Corps implementation
Pre-K-5 Principal
Melrose Public School District 740
Melrose, MN
07.2016 - 06.2017
- Oversee daily operation of PreK-5 building
- Supervised School Wide Title 1 plan and programming
- Responsible for supervision, coaching, and evaluation of licensed and non-licensed staff
- Created master schedule/guidance counseling/staffing
- Successful grant writing allowing for opportunities for staff development and intervention support
- Planned and sustained current and new professional development
- Supervised updated curriculum mapping
- Delivered PBIS interest survey and began site's application
- Initiated elementary student council
- Partnered with District Day Treatment program for qualifying scholars
K-12 Principal
Lyle Public School District 497
Lyle, MN
07.2013 - 06.2016
- Oversaw daily operation of K-12 building to ensure safety, clean and functioning buildings and grounds, and high quality instruction,
- Authored and supervised School Wide Title 1 plan and programming
- Implemented standards-based report cards in grades K-6
- Level III Setting Special Education programming for consortium located at Lyle Public School; partnering with special education director and coordinator
- Responsible for supervision, coaching and evaluation of licensed and non-licensed staff
- PLCs focused on Marzano's Framework of Effective Instruction
- Brought Math Corps and Reading Corps to building
- Analyzed student performance data to drive instructional decisions and identify areas for improvement.
- Created master schedule/guidance counseling/staffing
- Supervised athletic cooperative between Lyle and Austin-Pacelli School
- Director of Community Education
- Responsible for human resources, transportation, and nutritional services
- Established leadership team, Early Intervention Team, and Student Assistance Team
Professional Licensure Instructor
Saint Mary’s University
Minneapolis, MN
01.2011 - 01.2014
- Teach Administrative Certificate Level courses
- Course instruction focus on Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
Assistant Principal
St. Cloud Area School District 742
St. Cloud, MN
07.2012 - 06.2013
- Designed, wrote, and implemented site’s state NCLB Improvement Plan
- Supervised School Wide Title 1 plan and programming
- Responsible for supervision, coaching and evaluation of licensed and non-licensed staff
- District Grant Coordinator, PAKRAT - Take Home District Family Literacy Initiative
- Researched and implemented the start of STEM school focus; supported 1:1 iPad initiative
- Author and member of District Literacy Plan Committee
- Constructed and implemented master schedule within RtI framework with principal
- Initiated an extended day program for qualified scholars partnering with the District Equity Office through a grant
- Supported Integrated Service Delivery Model between general ed., Title 1, and Spec. Ed.
- Supervised EIT, PBIS and Leadership Site Committees
- Responsible for student behaviors and management
- Worked with principal on budget and staffing for site
- Development and delivery of professional development for licensed and non-licensed staff
- Current working knowledge of best practices and intervention design
Adequate Yearly Progress Support Teacher/Coordinator
St. Cloud Area School District 742 (K-6)
St. Cloud, MN
01.2008 - 06.2012
- Led two elementary schools in Needs Improvement stage of Federal NCLB Act
- Designed, wrote, and implemented site’s state NCLB Improvement Plan
- Developed, wrote, and implemented School Wide Title 1 state application
- Trained in Responsive Classroom I and II, Daily 5, Cognitive Coaching, PBIS
- Implemented individualized behavior and academic interventions with students
- Developed and fostered community partnerships
- Developed and facilitated staff development for licensed and non-licensed staff and faculty
- Initiated and implemented take home reading project with 75% of family participation
- Authored grant proposals for technology, math intervention and literacy school projects
- Organized, prepared and led school data retreats for educational teams
- Administered math and reading NWEA-MAP testing at sites
- Modeled and delivered instructional coaching and was mentor teacher for novice teachers
- District Committees – Staff Development, Data Leadership Team, AYP Teacher/Principal Team, District AYP Team, New Teacher Induction, Equity Data Team, EIT Team, PBIS District Team
Elementary Teacher Grades: 1, 4, 5
St. Cloud Area School District 742
St. Cloud, MN
07.1999 - 12.2008
- Planned and implemented best practice instruction for classroom
- Differentiated instruction for all students
- Used data to drive instructional planning
- Co-taught and implemented Integrated Service Delivery Model
- Operated targeted services programs; writing, research, homework club
- Advised and began Student Council
- Building Committees: Leadership, Reading Cadre, EIT Team Member, PBIS, Data Team
- Selected Who’s Who Among American Teachers Recipient
- Nominated and selected Semi-Finalist for MN Teacher of the Year, 2008
Education
Bachelor of Science - Education
Saint Mary’s University
Minneapolis, MN01-2010
Master of Arts in Education Degree - Education
Saint Mary’s University
Minneapolis01-2004
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education (1-6)
St. Cloud State University
St. Cloud, MN01-1999
Associate of Arts Degree - Education
NDSU-Bottineau Branch
Bottineau, ND01-1993
Skills
- Stakeholder collaborator
- Creative problem-solver
- Scholar-centered
- Open communicator
Certification
K-12 Administration
Timeline
Coaching Specialist
AMPACT (Reading and Math Corps)
01.2026 - Current
Executive Director / K-8 Principal
Aspen Academy District 4184
07.2017 - 10.2025
Pre-K-5 Principal
Melrose Public School District 740
07.2016 - 06.2017
K-12 Principal
Lyle Public School District 497
07.2013 - 06.2016
Assistant Principal
St. Cloud Area School District 742
07.2012 - 06.2013
Professional Licensure Instructor
Saint Mary’s University
01.2011 - 01.2014
Adequate Yearly Progress Support Teacher/Coordinator
St. Cloud Area School District 742 (K-6)
01.2008 - 06.2012
Master Literacy Coach/Statewide Trainer
Minnesota Reading Corps-ServeMinnesota
01.2008 - 01.2018
Elementary Teacher Grades: 1, 4, 5
St. Cloud Area School District 742
07.1999 - 12.2008
Bachelor of Science - Education
Saint Mary’s University
Master of Arts in Education Degree - Education
Saint Mary’s University
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education (1-6)
St. Cloud State University
Associate of Arts Degree - Education
NDSU-Bottineau Branch
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
- Wide experience working with primary, intermediate, and adult stakeholders
- Excellent organizational and collaborative leadership skills
- Outgoing positive personality when dealing with all stakeholders
- Engages and partners with community
- Proficient with technology – Microsoft Suite, Google, Gmail
Recognitions
Nominated and Selected Minnesota Teacher of the Year Semi-Finalist - 2008
Selected Who's Who Among American's Teachers Recipient
MN Distinguished Principal of the Year Finalist - 2023
School of Excellence Principal Designation - 2025-2026