Michelle Cort
Cape Coral,FL
Summary
Qualified administrator with long history in education and dedication to school performance, teacher training and student success. Attentive to pulse of school to proactively manage negative trends and recognize success in teachers and methods. Hands-on in mentoring teachers and supporting students.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
PRINCIPAL
ISLAND COAST HIGH SCHOOL
Cape Coral, FL
06.2018 - Current
- Developed and sustains focus on a shared mission and clear vision for improvement of learning and teaching
- Facilitated a collaborative process with stakeholders leading toward continuous improvement
- Provided for the physical, intellectual, and emotional safety for effective teaching and learning
- Ensures alignment and implementation of best instructional practices to state and district
- Recruit, select, and hire school staff, including teachers and school-based support staff
- Ensure legal hiring and termination procedures in collaboration with the District’s Human Resources staff! Creates a culture of excellence, teamwork and collaboration amongst the staff, and students.
- Developed, implemented and evaluated school policies and procedures.
- Provided instructional leadership to faculty and staff in the areas of curriculum development, assessment practices and professional growth activities.
- Cultivated strong relationships with parents, students and members of the community to ensure a safe learning environment.
- Managed budgeting process for school operations including personnel hiring, supplies procurement and facility improvements.
- Supervised administrative staff responsible for student records, health services, transportation and food services.
- Oversaw compliance with state and federal laws related to education programs, student rights and safety regulations.
PRINCIPAL
GULF MIDDLE SCHOOL
Cape Coral, FL
06.2015 - 06.2018
- Developed and sustains focus on a shared mission and clear vision for improvement of learning and teaching
- Facilitate collaborative processes with stakeholders leading toward continuous improvement
- Provides for the physical, intellectual, and emotional safety for effective teaching and learning
- Ensures alignment and implementation of best instructional practices to state and district
- Recruit, select, and hire school staff, including teachers and school-based support staff
- Ensure legal hiring and termination procedures in collaboration with the District’s Human Resources staff
- Create a culture of excellence, teamwork and collaboration amongst the staff, and students.
- Directed the implementation of district initiatives such as Response to Intervention program, Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports system and 1, 1 technology integration plan.
- Organized regular meetings with faculty members to discuss issues related to instruction, assessment strategies and classroom management techniques.
- Assessed current teaching methods and techniques used by staff members in order to provide feedback on their effectiveness.
- Provided coaching sessions for teachers on best practices for classroom organization and management as well as effective instructional strategies.
- Reviewed test scores from standardized tests administered at different grade levels in order to track academic progress over time.
- Guided instruction by mentoring teachers to improve leadership and teaching effectiveness.
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL (Curriculum)
TRAFALGAR MIDDLE SCHOOL
Cape Coral, FL
06.2013 - 06.2015
- Designed and coordinated program to track students not making Annual Academic Progress resulting in significant decreases in number of 8th grade students needing to attend Summer School for promotion
- Implemented student discipline strategies that reduced 7th grade referrals from 152 in 2014-15 down to 62 in 2015-16
- Designed program for at-risk students decreasing course failures in 6th grade by 11%, 7th grade by 17%, and 8th grade by 23% in 2014-15
- Designed Shark Bytes, a positive incentive-based program for at-risk students that has reduced referrals for that group by 25%
- Developed and coordinated afterschool standardized assessment tutoring program resulting in decrease from (21) 8th grade students needing to attend Summer School for promotion in 2014-15 down to 8 students in 2015-16
- Implemented successful strategies providing students with anger problems safe harbor to compose themselves and reflect before returning to class without consequence resulting in overall decrease in discipline referrals
- Developed master schedule that maximized allocated resources, leveraged class size, and improved utilization of facilities
- Coordinated school-wide testing strategy that preserved instructional time and resulted in 99% of students tested
- Developed tiered intervention support system benefiting all students
- Designed Professional Development for Professional Learning Communities (PLC) trainings for staff that supported school initiatives and improvement goals
- Developed pre-school In-service trainings that targeted areas of need resulting in improved staff sensitivity and disability awareness.
- Provided guidance and support to teachers, staff and students in the school.
- Developed and implemented school policies, procedures and programs for student achievement.
- Collaborated with district administrators on curriculum development initiatives.
- Monitored student behavior and discipline in accordance with district regulations.
- Resolved conflicts between faculty members and students.
- Conducted regular meetings with parents to discuss their children's academic progress.
- Coordinated professional development activities for faculty members to enhance instructional practices.
- Assisted in developing budgets for various departments within the school system.
- Facilitated communication between teachers, administrators and parents regarding student performance issues.
- Evaluated teacher performance through classroom observations, reviews of lesson plans and feedback from parents and students.
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
FORT MYERS HIGH SCHOOL
Ft. Myers, FL
06.2008 - 06.2013
- Position reports to the principal of an “A” High School with the International Baccalaureate Program with responsibility for: Professional development and mentoring of new teachers
- Response to Intervention (RTI) training and mentoring for Lee County School District
- School Improvement Plan development
- Design and coordination of program to meet lowest 25% in reading
- Oversight of Title II budgets
- Safe Schools budget
- Coordinator of FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test) afterschool tutoring
- Preparing New Teacher program facilitator
- AP testing/Dual Enrollment scheduling coordination
- End of Course Exams scheduling coordination
- Common Core training for staff
- Oversight of the school facility and grounds
- Student discipline.
- Developed and implemented school policies, procedures and programs for student achievement.
- Collaborated with district administrators on curriculum development initiatives.
- Organized extracurricular activities such as sports teams, clubs and field trips.
- Analyzed data collected from standardized tests to identify areas of improvement in instruction or curriculum design.
- Reviewed textbooks, library resources and other instructional materials for appropriateness in meeting educational standards.
- Ensured that all safety protocols were followed by staff members during school events.
- Served as a liaison between the school administration and community groups or organizations.
- Attended conferences related to educational leadership or policy making.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of current trends in education technology.
- Displayed strong decision making abilities and confidence to staff and students.
- Monitored and evaluated performance of school employees.
COORDINATOR; STAFFING, RECRUITING & RETENTION
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF LEE COUNTY, HUMAN RESOURCES AND EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
Ft. Myers, FL
01.2006 - 06.2008
- This position reported to the Executive Director of HR and was responsible for creating a staffing and retention department for Instructional and support positions for 5,000 bargaining unit positions to include: Established and managed the staffing, recruiting, and retention budget, goals and strategies for instructional personnel
- Developed tracking systems to identify cost per applicant and cost per hire
- Sourced and screened qualified candidates for open positions.
- Created job postings and distributed to relevant job boards, social media sites, and other sources.
- Maintained accurate records of all recruitment activities in applicant tracking system.
- Assisted with the development of recruiting strategies to attract top talent.
- Coordinated interviews with hiring managers and prospective employees.
- Conducted reference checks on potential hires.
- Provided guidance to hiring managers throughout the interview process.
- Collaborated with Human Resources team members to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.
- Participated in career fairs and other recruiting events to build relationships with colleges and universities.
- Increased instructional minority staffing from 6% to 12%
- Conducted interviews to pre-qualify applicants and prepared employment letters and contracts
- Conducted exit interviews and compiled data to utilize for cost effective recruiting strategies
- Developed a database of potential candidates by using various sourcing methods such as networking, referrals, cold calling.
- Assisted in onboarding new hires by providing orientation information and collecting necessary paperwork.
- Provided administrative support during the recruitment process including scheduling interviews, preparing offer letters, conducting background checks.
- Analyzed recruitment data to identify trends in hiring practices and suggest improvements where needed.
- Managed communication between internal teams and departments related to recruitment activities.
- Prepared reports on recruitment metrics such as time-to-fill rate, cost per hire, quality of hire.
- Ensured that all pre-employment requirements were met prior to extending offers of employment.
- Assisted candidates with application processes by answering questions about application, performing background checks, providing I-9 forms and handling drug screening paperwork.
- Initiated Title I teacher mentoring program and managed recruiting and retention funds to ensure compliance
- Assisted with the planning and implementation of the District Merit Award Pay Program Schools (SMART)
- Planned and organized all aspects of the annual Teacher Recruitment Fair.
COORDINATOR; PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS, EQUITY & RECRUITMENT
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF LEE COUNTY, HUMAN RESOURCES AND EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
Ft. Myers, FL
06.2005 - 12.2005
- This position reported to the Director and provided the following HR services for 10,000 employees
- Conducted employee investigations for misconduct District-wide
- Reduced turn-around time on employee investigations from 30 days to 5 days
- Participated in collective bargaining, employee grievances, and negotiations
- Assisted in the development and implementation of Human Resources regulations and policies
- Participated in and implemented numerous research projects on current HR practices.
TEACHER ON ASSIGNMENT/ DEAN
PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR MIDDLE SCHOOL
Ft. Myers, FL
05.2000 - 06.2005
- This position reported to the principal of a new Middle School with a population of 1,000 students and was responsible for: Daily supervision of middle school students including Student Affairs office
- School-based APPLES (Academic, Personal, Professional, Leadership Education for Students) program coordinator
- Managed Safe Schools grant
- Organized and managed the before/after school care program
- Wrote and was awarded funding for Title II, Title III and Title V grants
- Developed an intensive FCAT tutorial program with increased student pass ratio by 10%
- Wrote and monitored the 2003 - 2004 School Improvement Plan
- Served as the Professional Learning Groups administrator
- Contact and liaison for transportation and substitute teachers.
- Developed and implemented lesson plans based on curriculum objectives.
- Assessed student performance through tests, quizzes, and other assessments.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AND MATHEMATICS SPECIALIST
LEE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Ft. Myers, FL
08.1996 - 05.2000
- Maintained the focus for a STEM Magnet theme
- Examined and made curriculum recommendations resulting in maximum student achievement
- Member of the school interview team
- Mentored new math teachers
- Served as Math Department Chair.
- Provided individualized instruction to students in mathematics, focusing on their specific needs and abilities.
- Developed instructional materials for math classes that are aligned with the state standards.
- Conducted assessments of student understanding of mathematical concepts and developed appropriate intervention strategies.
- Collaborated with classroom teachers to ensure effective integration of math into other subject areas.
- Mentored new teachers in the implementation of effective mathematics instruction techniques.
- Assisted teachers in developing lesson plans and activities to engage students in meaningful learning experiences.
- Analyzed data from assessment results to inform decisions about curriculum development and instruction planning.
- Demonstrated a variety of instructional strategies during team meetings and professional development workshops.
- Coached teachers on how to use technology effectively when teaching math concepts.
TEACHER OF MATHEMATICS
LEE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Ft. Myers, FL
- This position reported to the Principal of a Middle School with a population of 900 students and was responsible for mathematics instruction
- Instructed advanced 8th grade students for high school level Algebra credit
- Implemented the use of technology for problem solving.
- Developed lesson plans to teach math concepts such as algebra, geometry and calculus.
- Assessed student performance through tests and examinations.
- Provided individualized instruction to students with learning difficulties.
- Facilitated small group activities to promote problem solving skills.
- Integrated technology into the classroom environment for interactive math lessons.
- Utilized a variety of instructional methods including lectures, demonstrations and hands-on activities.
- Promoted cooperative learning among students by assigning group projects related to mathematics.
- Maintained accurate records of student grades, attendance and behavior.
- Attended parent and teacher conferences to discuss student progress.
Education
Doctor of Education - Educational Leadership/ Statistics
Argosy University
Sarasota FL05-2010
Specialist of Education - Educational Leadership
Nova Southeastern University
Davie, FL08-2000
MBA - Finance
Talmudical Academy - New Jersey
Adelphia, NJ05-1992
Bachelor of Science - Computer Engineering Technology/ Technical Mngt
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Boston, MA05-1990
Skills
- Academic administration
- Staff and educator guidance
- School Community Relations
- Instructional Leadership
- Teaching and learning assessments
- Public Speaking
- Academic instruction
- Academic program management
- Interpersonal strengths
Cover Letter
Please accept this letter as formal application for the position in Educational Leadership Program. I am confident you will find my mix of experience, education, and aptitude commensurate with qualifications for the position. Over the twenty-year course of my employment with the School District of Lee County, I have had the privilege to work at both the schoolhouse and district level in varying capacities. It is these collective experiences that I strongly believe uniquely qualify me as a candidate for the position. Complimenting my current role as a principal for the past 9 years, I have served in the roles as a Middle School and High School Assistant Principal for Curriculum, I have served administratively at t the district-level as the Coordinator for Professional Standards and Equity, Coordinator of Staffing and Recruitment; at the middle school level as, Teacher on Administrative Assignment, and classroom teacher. My experience at the school level includes but is not limited to: organizing and participating in after school programs to assist the bottom 25 percent in improving their reading and math scores on state assessments; organizing and participating in after school educational programs to assist students in successfully passing their EOC; providing training to support newly hired and veteran teachers struggling with instructional strategies that challenge all students; working directly with ESE students and teachers to assure that the best inclusion education is provided and we meet all requirements of the Federal law, and the ability to drill down into the data and prescribe strategies that will assist students in academic success. All of these positions have afforded me the opportunity to acquire the skills and knowledge essential to successfully lead a school in the current climate. I believe that these unique qualities make me a viable candidate to teach various courses at the university level. My background in business, leadership and education provides me with a wealth of experience to share with prospective students. I am truly excited by the position and would greatly appreciate an opportunity to discuss my qualifications with you. Regards, Michelle Cort
Affiliations
- Enjoys running
- Reading
- Refinishing furniture
Accomplishments
- Eleanor Roosevelt Teacher Fellow Recipient
- President of the Lee County Administrator Association
- Member of the Society of Women Engineers
- Member of the National Association of Black Engineers
Certification
- School Principal
- Business
- Math
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
PRINCIPAL
ISLAND COAST HIGH SCHOOL
06.2018 - Current
PRINCIPAL
GULF MIDDLE SCHOOL
06.2015 - 06.2018
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL (Curriculum)
TRAFALGAR MIDDLE SCHOOL
06.2013 - 06.2015
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
FORT MYERS HIGH SCHOOL
06.2008 - 06.2013
COORDINATOR; STAFFING, RECRUITING & RETENTION
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF LEE COUNTY, HUMAN RESOURCES AND EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
01.2006 - 06.2008
COORDINATOR; PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS, EQUITY & RECRUITMENT
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF LEE COUNTY, HUMAN RESOURCES AND EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
06.2005 - 12.2005
TEACHER ON ASSIGNMENT/ DEAN
PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR MIDDLE SCHOOL
05.2000 - 06.2005
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AND MATHEMATICS SPECIALIST
LEE MIDDLE SCHOOL
08.1996 - 05.2000
TEACHER OF MATHEMATICS
LEE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Doctor of Education - Educational Leadership/ Statistics
Argosy University
Specialist of Education - Educational Leadership
Nova Southeastern University
MBA - Finance
Talmudical Academy - New Jersey
Bachelor of Science - Computer Engineering Technology/ Technical Mngt
Wentworth Institute of Technology
- School Principal
- Business
- Math
Similar Profiles
Emma TiradoEmma Tirado
JROTC Cadet Signals Officer at Island Coast High SchoolJROTC Cadet Signals Officer at Island Coast High School
ERICA ORJUELAERICA ORJUELA
World Language/Spanish/American Sign Language Teacher at Mariner High SchoolWorld Language/Spanish/American Sign Language Teacher at Mariner High School
Evin GrahamEvin Graham
Head Varsity Boys Basketball Coach and Basketball Operations at Cambridge Christian SchoolHead Varsity Boys Basketball Coach and Basketball Operations at Cambridge Christian School