Melissa Ferris
Kennewick,WA
Summary
Strategic educational leader with a proven record of strengthening school culture, instructional systems, and student outcomes. Leads data-driven school improvement through collaborative leadership, staff development, strategic resource allocation, and aligned academic and behavioral supports. Builds sustainable systems that strengthen teaching, foster staff ownership, and ensure all students have access to the support needed for success.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Asst. Principal
Sacajawea Elementary
Richland, USA
07.2019 - Current
- Led the HOPE/PBIS Team in rebuilding schoolwide behavior systems through shared staff ownership, including development of a behavior matrix, restorative practices, and consistent schoolwide expectations.
- Championed Kids at Hope as a schoolwide framework, strengthening a culture of hope, belonging, accountability, and belief in every student's capacity for success.
- Facilitated the development of individualized student safety and success plans and led Response to Intervention processes to coordinate academic, behavioral, and social-emotional supports.
- Expanded wraparound supports for students and families through partnerships with Communities in Schools and WISe.
- Evaluated and coached teachers through classroom observations, evidence-based feedback, goal setting, and sustained coaching cycles to strengthen instructional practice and improve student outcomes.
Asst. Principal
Lewis & Clark Elementary
Richland, USA
07.2016 - 06.2019
- Implemented schoolwide policies, procedures, and systems to strengthen student achievement, safety, and a positive learning environment.
- Managed daily school operations and ensured alignment with district policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
- Led schoolwide committees and collaborative teams focused on curriculum, assessment, instructional improvement, and student outcomes.
- Analyzed behavioral and schoolwide data to identify trends and coordinate targeted behavioral supports, interventions, and conflict-resolution strategies.
- Collaborated with staff, families, and district leaders to address student needs, resolve concerns, and strengthen schoolwide systems.
- Evaluated and coached teachers through classroom observations, evidence-based feedback, goal setting, and sustained coaching cycles to strengthen instructional practice and improve student outcomes.
Reading Interventionist
Puyallup School District
08.2011 - 07.2016
- Assessed student literacy skills using diagnostic and progress-monitoring data to identify needs and design targeted interventions.
- Designed and delivered evidence-based reading interventions in decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension for students with diverse learning needs.
- Analyzed DIBELS, STAR, and common formative assessment data to determine interventions, monitor student growth, and adjust instruction.
- Provided targeted small-group and individualized instruction to accelerate literacy growth for students performing below grade-level expectations.
- Collaborated with teachers to align intervention with core instruction and strengthen literacy practices across classroom settings.
- Led grade-level and vertical teams in identifying essential standards and aligning curriculum, common formative assessments, and instructional practices.
- Strengthened PLC data cycles by supporting teams in identifying student needs, establishing SMART goals, adjusting instruction, and monitoring student growth.
- Used schoolwide achievement data to strategically allocate LAP services, intervention staffing, and resources based on identified student needs.
- Served as a building leader in literacy and mathematics intervention, providing training, modeling, and implementation support for teachers and paraeducators.
- Designed and facilitated professional learning in early literacy intervention, DIBELS, data-informed instruction, and student motivation at the building, district, and statewide levels.
- Led a voluntary Embedded Formative Assessment professional book study with 24 educators to strengthen formative assessment and responsive instructional practices.
- Partnered with families to communicate student progress, intervention goals, and strategies for supporting learning at home.
- Redesigned the master schedule to increase grade-level collaboration and shift intervention services from pull-out to push-in models, maximizing student access to core instruction.
Assistant Director
Child & Youth Services
Stuttgart, Germany
01.2010 - 08.2011
- Supervised and mentored team members, providing ongoing coaching, feedback, and performance support.
- Built partnerships with local agencies to expand services and resources for youth and families.
- Evaluated program effectiveness using participant feedback, assessment data, and performance measures to guide continuous improvement.
- Managed program budgets and allocated resources to support organizational priorities and maximize program effectiveness.
- Developed and maintained operational reports to monitor performance, identify trends, and inform programmatic decisions.
2nd/3rd Grade Teacher
El Paso Co SD 8
Colorado Springs, USA
08.2005 - 06.2008
- Designed and delivered rigorous, differentiated instruction responsive to diverse student strengths and learning needs.
- Established a positive, inclusive classroom culture that promoted student engagement, accountability, and academic success.
- Used formative and summative assessment data to monitor student growth, differentiate instruction, and improve learning outcomes.
- Partnered with families to support student academic, behavioral, and social-emotional success.
- Mentored new teachers in instructional practices, classroom management, and student engagement strategies.
PK4-Adult Teacher
Sylvan Learning Center
Colorado Springs, USA
09.2004 - 07.2005
- Assessed student performance through regular evaluations and feedback sessions.
- Facilitated small group tutoring sessions to target specific learning needs.
- Collaborated with parents to discuss student progress and challenges.
Education
Doctor of Organizational Leadership -
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ05-2027
Washington State Principal Certification -
Washington State University
Vancouver, WA05-2016
National Board For Professional Teacher Certification - Literacy, Reading, Language Arts
NBPT
11-2013
M.Ed. - Curriculum & Instruction: Reading
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ03-2010
Post-Graduate K-8 Teacher Certification -
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA05-2004
Bachelor of Arts - Communications: Public Relations
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA01-2004
Skills
- Instructional Leadership & Student Achievement
- Strategic & Systems Leadership
- School Improvement & Continuous Improvement
- Staff Supervision, Evaluation & Coaching
- Data-Informed Decision Making
- Curriculum, Assessment & Instruction
- Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
- Literacy & Academic Intervention
- Professional Learning & Staff Development
- School Culture, PBIS & Student Support
- Strategic Resource Allocation
- Family & Community Engagement
- Collaborative & Servant Leadership
Timeline
Asst. Principal
Sacajawea Elementary
07.2019 - Current
Asst. Principal
Lewis & Clark Elementary
07.2016 - 06.2019
Reading Interventionist
Puyallup School District
08.2011 - 07.2016
Assistant Director
Child & Youth Services
01.2010 - 08.2011
2nd/3rd Grade Teacher
El Paso Co SD 8
08.2005 - 06.2008
PK4-Adult Teacher
Sylvan Learning Center
09.2004 - 07.2005
Doctor of Organizational Leadership -
Grand Canyon University
Washington State Principal Certification -
Washington State University
National Board For Professional Teacher Certification - Literacy, Reading, Language Arts
NBPT
M.Ed. - Curriculum & Instruction: Reading
Grand Canyon University
Post-Graduate K-8 Teacher Certification -
Pacific Lutheran University
Bachelor of Arts - Communications: Public Relations
Pacific Lutheran University