Michele Dence
Cape Coral,FL
Summary
Results-driven leader with strong background in strategic management and organizational growth. Skilled in developing and implementing effective business strategies, optimizing processes, and driving team performance. Known for adaptability, effective collaboration, and delivering measurable outcomes in dynamic environments. Strong communication and problem-solving abilities, coupled with focus on fostering productive and positive team culture.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director
Whiz Kids Academy
02.2026 - Current
- Direct supervision of staff and students
- Mentor Assistant Director and teaching staff
- Oversight of daily school functions
- Coordination of staffing in classrooms
- Maintain staff and student files
- Facilitate staff meetings and trainings
- Coach classroom teachers, provide feedback and set PD goals
- Maintain accurate family billing accounts
- Collaborate with stakeholders (Families, Corporate Office, DCF, ELCOSWFL, Children’s Forum, Children’s Network)
- Oversight of building maintenance
- Ordering and inventory of supplies
- Conduct center tours for prospective families
- Enrollment of families
- Oversee and report data (FTE, STAR, Individual Child, Vacancies)
- Conduct interviews, hire and onboard new staff
Infant/Toddler Coach
Signal Centers - Childcare Resource and Referral Tennessee
07.2025 - 09.2025
- Observe students, teachers and classroom environment
- Create plans to assist teachers in guiding student behavior
- Collaborate with teachers to create, initiate and evaluate classroom environmental, behavioral and developmental plans
- Facilitate PD training for classroom staff
Education Coordinator
The School District of Lee County Fort Myers, FL
10.2023 - 07.2025
- Oversight of staff function and development
- Consultant for specific problems with individual children
- Provide guidance to staff regarding curriculum scheduling and activities
- Guide family advocate, social worker, educational coaches and mental health specialists toward fulfilling performance and responsibility
- Observe and evaluate teachers and support staff (41 Head Start classrooms, 14 Title 1/VPK, 13 Early Head Start and 6 Community Partnership across 16 sites in Lee County)
- Assume responsibility of staff development coordinator
- Participate in team meetings (Individualized Education Plans, Education team, Interdisciplinary Team, Educational Leadership and Policy Council)
- Assume responsibility for ongoing assessment of the development of Early Head Start/Head Start children
- Coordinate implementation of state, local, district and federal (Head Start) component requirements as stated in laws and performance standards
Curriculum Specialist - Teacher on Assignment
The School District of Lee County Fort Myers, FL
02.2015 - 10.2023
- Teacher mentor
- Organize and monitor staff and student files
- Collect and analyze data
- Participate in collaborative meetings (PLC, IEP, BIP, CSP)
- Facilitate staff professional development
- Conduct staff member interviews and participate in onboarding process
Preschool Director
Faith Academy North Fort Myers, FL
05.2005 - 02.2015
- Oversight of day to day operation within the school
- Maintained staff and student files
- Tracked attendance and billing
- Planning and facilitation of staff professional development
- Balanced and maintained annual budget
- Teacher mentor
- Collaboration with stakeholders
- Led hiring/discharge processes
Education
LEAD Program - Aspiring Leaders
LCSD
Fort Myers, FL06-2023
Master of Arts (M.A.) - Educational Leadership
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Indianapolis, IN02-2020
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Social Work
SIENA COLLEGE
Loudonville, NY05-2009
Skills
- Teaching Strategies GOLD
- FOCUS
- Child Plus Student and Personnel System
- Microsoft Office & Excel
- Zoom/Microsoft Teams/Google Meet
- Google Certified
- Relationship building
- Strategic planning
- Verbal and written communication
- Decision-making
Certification
- DCF Advanced VPK and Trauma Endorsed Director Credentials
- Infant/Toddler/Adult First Aid-CPR/First-Aid & AED
- CLASS Observer (Infant, Toddler and Pre-K)
- National Child Development Associate PD Specialist
- Clinical Education/Collegial Coaching
- Youth Mental Health
- Flamingo Emergent Literacy Credential
Timeline
Director
Whiz Kids Academy
02.2026 - Current
Infant/Toddler Coach
Signal Centers - Childcare Resource and Referral Tennessee
07.2025 - 09.2025
Education Coordinator
The School District of Lee County Fort Myers, FL
10.2023 - 07.2025
Curriculum Specialist - Teacher on Assignment
The School District of Lee County Fort Myers, FL
02.2015 - 10.2023
Preschool Director
Faith Academy North Fort Myers, FL
05.2005 - 02.2015
Master of Arts (M.A.) - Educational Leadership
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Social Work
SIENA COLLEGE
LEAD Program - Aspiring Leaders
LCSD