Merlene Barlow, Servant Leader

Dedicated and experienced educator with over 27 years of commitment to fostering student growth and academic achievement. Equipped with a Doctor of Education Degree in Learning Organization and Strategic Change, specializing in instructional leadership, and a dissertation focused on mentorship effectiveness, I bring a wealth of knowledge to a coaching, dean of instruction, or assistant principal position. My tenure includes successful leadership as a team leader and member of the school's leadership team, coupled with consistent recognition for exemplary teaching in math and literacy. I played a pivotal role in elevating my current school from Priority status to a Level 5 Reward School. Committed to ongoing professional development, I stay current with educational trends and best practices to ensure the highest standards of instruction.

• Professional Teacher License: Active Endorsements-Elementary 1-8
• ILL Administrator: Active Endorsements-PreK-12

• Selected Teacher of the Year from MNPS-2017
• Selected Teacher of the Year from Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated-2015-2016
• Teacher Spotlight for having the highest Benchmark Scores for Fall 2023
• Recipient of $500 for classroom supplies from Subaru
• Awarded $500 from MNPS for earning a overall LOE score of 5 in a priority school for the 2022-2023 school year
• 51 % of my students met or exceeded expectations across all 3 math benchmarks for the 2023-2024 school year
• Had two students who scored a 100 on one or more math benchmarks for the 2023-2024 school year
• Earned a LOE score of 5 for math/literacy from 2012-2023
• Recognized for class having the highest attendance (over 95%) in the 2022-2023 school year
• On TEAM Rubric, received 4's and 5's on all domains
• Received certificates for increasing student achievement in literacy and math on MAPs and I-Ready
• For the 2012-2013 school year, 100 % of my students were proficient in social studies, 80% were proficient in math and science, and 70% were proficient in literacy
• Taught students at T.W. Hunter Middle School who won top honors in a sixth grade math contest held at Austin Peay University (2000-2001)

• March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, Eldercare, St. Jude,Salvation Army Bell Ringer, Foster Parent for Serendipity House, Sunday School Teacher/Children Coordinator, Former After-School Tutor at Charlotte Park, Participant in a 150-mile bike ride for Multiple Sclerosis in 1999 and 2000

Alpha Chi National Honor Society, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, and NAACP

Ida B. Wells Leadership Team Member

• Attend monthly meetings and play an important role in school-based decision-making.
• Develop and evaluate school-wide procedures and programs.
• Analyze and use data to determine school-wide instructional priorities for each academic year.
• Use data to identify and address the instructional needs of groups and individual students.
• Promote the vision of the school and help to make the school culture more collaborative.
• Assist administrators in interviewing prospective teachers.

Team Leader-4th Grade

• Serve as a mentor to new teachers by acclimated them to the school, advise them about instruction, curriculum, procedures, and practices.
• Share instructional resources and teaching strategies.
• Arrange meetings with colleagues to analyze student data, discuss student progress,and address their needs.
• Promote a collaborative, positive work environment for my colleagues.
• Assist colleagues with problem-solving when issues arise.
• Support students by providing direction and resources to ensure their academic success and personal well-being.
• Encourage parental engagement.

AVID (Individual Via Individual Determination)  Site Team Member

• Encourage teachers to create an environment that promotes college and career readiness for students.
• Encourage students to dream big and develop important study and organizational skills.
• Promote the use writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading skills to support students academic success.
• Create goals, collect data, and build an AVID Site Plan.

• AVID Trained
• Accelerated Scholar Tutor
• Completed Reading 360
• Technical skills include: Word, PowerPoint, Schoology