Melodie Griffin
Coordinator Of Employee Relations
Chesapeake,VA
Summary
Experienced educational leader with over 20 years of progressive leadership in K–12 education, including service as Coordinator of Employee Relations, Principal, Assistant Principal, Instructional Specialist, and Classroom Teacher. Demonstrated expertise in instructional supervision, teacher development, mentoring, performance evaluation, and collaborative partnerships with school and community stakeholders. Skilled in coaching teacher candidates and educators to bridge theory and practice, improve instructional delivery, and meet state and national standards. Committed to supporting teacher preparation programs through intensive supervision, constructive feedback, and continuous program improvement.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Coordinator of Employee Relations
Suffolk Public Schools
07.2022 - Current
- Coordinated training sessions for administrators and department heads on topics such as conflict resolution and other HR related topics to promote a positive work environment.
- Managed sensitive employee information with discretion, adhering to strict confidentiality policies and maintaining accurate records.
- Reduced conflicts by mediating disputes between employees and management effectively.
- Conduct thorough investigations involving allegations of misconduct or policy violations to help maintain a fair workplace environment
- Meet with the Director of Human Resources to review recommendations for non-renewal or dismissal of employees.
- Collaborate with legal counsel to ensure compliance with regulations involving employee relations activities
- Recruiting of new hires
- Conduct onboarding for both certified and support staff
- Conduct interviews
- Provide classroom management training
- Conduct training for professionalism
- Conduct exit interviews for staff to provide support for improvement in division processes
- Oversee the mentoring program for teachers from year 1-3
- Collaborate with building administrators and department leaders to address employee relations issues
- Serve as the direct report for the HR Staffing Specialist and the Teacher Development Specialist.
- Collaborate with building administrators and department leaders to develop and implement performance improvement plans
Principal
Suffolk Public Schools
01.2008 - 06.2022
- Served as the instructional leader for the building
- Increased teacher effectiveness through coaching, professional development opportunities, and mentorship programs.
- Monitored instruction
- Provided coaching and modeled lessons for teachers
- Mentored newly hired educators and provided encouragement and feedback.
- Conducted staff meetings and facilitated Professional Learning
- Held weekly grade level meetings
- Reviewed and disaggregated data for instructional decisions to address achievement gaps.
- Completed weekly observations and summative evaluations for staff.
- Trained teachers on effective teaching techniques, classroom management strategies, and behavior modification.
- Served as a mentor for new principal
- Completed required reports for school board office
- Monitored the budget and approved purchases
- Managed school activity funds (Reviewed and analyzed monthly reports)
- Enforced student academic achievement standards in line with district goals.
- Monitored student behavior and enforced discipline policies
- Developed strong relationships with stakeholders to foster trust, collaboration, and commitment to shared goals.
- Conducted interviews for hiring of all staff
- Conducted investigations when necessary and documented all findings
- Implemented innovative approaches to teaching and learning that improved student engagement and achievement levels.
- Led school improvement efforts by setting clear expectations for staff performance and providing regular feedback on progress towards goals.
Assistant Principal
Suffolk Public Schools
07.2003 - 12.2007
- Partnered with principal to provide a positive, high-expectation academic environment.
- Assisted principal with monitoring the instructional program and enhancing teacher effectiveness by completing both formal and informal observations and evaluations and providing actionable feedback.
- Trained teachers on effective teaching techniques, classroom management strategies and behavior modification.
- Mentored new teachers in navigating their new role.
- Served as Child Study Chairperson, 504 coordinator and administrator for IEP meetings and handled disciplinary issues for the school and the bus.
- Assisted the principal with creating schedules
- Assisted the principal with conducting meetings
- Secured substitutes for teachers and teacher assistants
- Served as the Partners-in-Education and Volunteer Coordinator
- Supported hiring, training, and disciplinary actions
- Supervised and evaluated teaching and support staff through instructional leadership and professional development.
Instructional Specialist
Norfolk Public Schools
08.1998 - 06.2003
- Evaluated instructional materials for quality and relevance, recommending changes as needed to improve student achievement.
- Worked collaboratively with other specialist to focus on closing achievement gaps between various student populations.
- Created resources to support differentiated instruction, enabling educators to better meet diverse learner needs.
- Assisted in the analysis of school-wide assessment data to develop decisions aimed at improving overall performance.
- Led collaborative planning sessions with teams of teachers to promote consistency across grade levels and subject areas.
- Utilized data to implement areas for improvements.
- Collaborated with teachers to determine curriculum effectiveness.
- Provided constructive feedback to teachers based on classroom observations to support continued professional growth.
- Mentored new teachers by providing support during the initial phases of their teaching career
- Participated in regular team meetings with administrators and other specialists to review school policies and practices and discuss ways to enhance instructional effectiveness.
- Supported teachers in improving their instructional methods for increased student engagement and understanding.
Fourth Grade Teacher
Norfolk Public Schools
01.1991 - 06.1998
- Communicated effectively with parents regarding their child's academic growth and areas for improvement.
- Utilized assessment data to inform instructional decisions, tailoring lesson plans to target areas needing improvement.
- Enhanced classroom setting by creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all students.
- Assessed student progress regularly, providing constructive feedback and adjusting instructional approaches as needed.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively, establishing clear expectations and consequences while fostering a respectful learning environment.
- Collaborated with fellow teachers to design interdisciplinary lesson plans while reinforcing key concepts across subjects.
- Created lesson plans to correlate with the division and state curriculum standards.
- Established open communication and positive relationships with students, parents, peers, and administrative staff.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA 05.2001 -
Master of Arts - Urban Education Leadership And Supervision
Norfolk State University
Norfolk, VA 05.2001 -
Skills
Recruitment and retention
Human resources
Workplace investigations
Effective communication
Leadership development
Coaching and mentoring
Relationship building
Training and development
Timeline
Coordinator of Employee Relations
Suffolk Public Schools
07.2022 - Current
Principal
Suffolk Public Schools
01.2008 - 06.2022
Assistant Principal
Suffolk Public Schools
07.2003 - 12.2007
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Old Dominion University
05.2001 -
Master of Arts - Urban Education Leadership And Supervision
Norfolk State University
05.2001 -
Instructional Specialist
Norfolk Public Schools
08.1998 - 06.2003
Fourth Grade Teacher
Norfolk Public Schools
01.1991 - 06.1998