Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Melissa Santa-Cruz

Whitefish Bay,WI

Summary

Educational leader with extensive experience, recognized for enhancing student engagement through data-driven instructional design. Expertise in change management and cross-functional collaboration has led to increased career readiness opportunities and improved academic outcomes. Committed to creating supportive environments that promote equity and success for all learners.

Overview

27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Assistant Principal

Milwaukee Public Schools/Bay View HS
Milwaukee, WI
08.2022 - Current
  • Establish partnerships with businesses and online platforms to create CTE pathways, expanding student internship and career readiness opportunities by 30%.
  • Supervise and mentor educators, leveraging technology-driven observation and feedback systems to enhance teaching practices and improve student outcomes.
  • Partner with businesses, ed-tech platforms, and workforce development organizations to align educational programs with industry needs, increasing student career placements.
  • Navigate dynamic educational challenges with limited resources, optimizing operational workflows and increasing program efficiency.
  • Implement online monitoring and assessment systems to track student progress and teacher performance, improving instructional effectiveness by 30% and increasing student engagement in digital learning.
  • Design and implement resource-efficient support systems for students facing trauma and poverty, increasing academic outcomes, sense of belonging, and self-sufficiency rates by 20%.
  • Develop and execute data-driven school improvement plans, leading to an increase in student attendance and a 15% reduction in behavior referrals.

Professional School Counselor

Milwaukee Public Schools/Bay View HS
Milwaukee, WI
08.2018 - 07.2022
  • Provided immediate and ongoing support to students in high-trauma, high-poverty environments, improving crisis response effectiveness and increasing student stability.
  • Developed and implemented equity-focused assessment strategies, increasing the accuracy of academic and behavioral evaluations and contributing to a 10% rise in students on track for graduation.
  • Designed and led data-driven programs utilizing restorative techniques, enhancing emotional resilience and reducing behavioral incidents by 15%.
  • Delivered targeted interventions in academic planning, credit attainment, and post-secondary preparation, leading to a 12% increase in college and career readiness rates among at-risk students.
  • Established systematic tracking of attendance and credit attainment for freshman and at-risk students, improving on-time graduation rates by 12% through early intervention strategies.
  • Worked closely with educators, families, and community partners to create individualized success plans, resulting in a 10% decrease in student dropout rates.
  • Provided individual and group counseling sessions using trauma-informed engagement strategies, increasing student participation in mental health support programs by 20%.

Counselor/Cancer Information Specialist

Duke University Cancer Center
Durham, NC
06.1999 - 03.2006
  • Implemented behavioral theories and strategies to mitigate health challenges.
  • Promoted equitable patient care outcomes by ensuring holistic support.
  • Trained and mentored new employees, enhancing skills for high-quality patient support.

Counselor/Cancer Information Specialist

Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Miami, FL
05.1998 - 06.1999
  • Developed effective strategies to prevent health challenges using behavioral theories.
  • Fostered trust by creating a safe environment for clients to discuss challenges.
  • Promoted equitable outcomes for patients through targeted interventions.

Education

Master of Science - Educational Leadership and Administration

University of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, WI

Master of Science - Educational Psychology

University of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, WI

Bachelor of Arts - Sociology

Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Skills

  • Change Management
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Curriculum Development
  • Data Analysis & Reporting
  • Data-Driven Instructional Design
  • EdTech Tool Implementation (Google Suite, Zoom, Microsoft Teams)
  • Educational Data Systems
  • Education Technology Integration
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • Instructional leadership
  • Behavior management
  • School improvement planning
  • Data analysis
  • Administrative management
  • Staff development
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Program evaluation
  • Executive Communication
  • Learning Management Systems (LMS) - Canvas, Blackboard, Google Classroom
  • Mental Health & Crisis Counseling
  • Online Course Development
  • Process Optimization
  • Professional Coaching & Mentoring
  • Program Evaluation & Assessment
  • Project Management
  • Remote Learning Solutions
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Strategic Planning & Execution
  • Student-Centered Learning Approaches
  • Teacher Training & Professional Development
  • Team Leadership
  • Technology in Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Certification

  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Certification
  • Licensed School Counselor and Administrator, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Timeline

Assistant Principal

Milwaukee Public Schools/Bay View HS
08.2022 - Current

Professional School Counselor

Milwaukee Public Schools/Bay View HS
08.2018 - 07.2022

Counselor/Cancer Information Specialist

Duke University Cancer Center
06.1999 - 03.2006

Counselor/Cancer Information Specialist

Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
05.1998 - 06.1999

Master of Science - Educational Leadership and Administration

University of Wisconsin

Master of Science - Educational Psychology

University of Wisconsin

Bachelor of Arts - Sociology

Emory University

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