MICHELLE L. GAINES
TALLAHASSEE,FL
Summary
Experienced in capacity building, strategic planning, and innovation, knowledgeable leader passionate about making a difference in the lives of others. Resourceful and adaptable approach, striving to create positive impact through approachable leadership style. Throughout professional career, cornerstone of work has been to contribute to betterment of individuals and communities.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Bureau Chief
Florida Department Of Education
03.2022 - 01.2025
- Managed operations of the certification bureau to assist new and returning teaching staff along with administrators.
- Led a team of 68 employees.
- Supervised four directors, ensuring seamless collaboration and program execution.
- Assumed responsibilities of vacant Policy Director position to ensure adherence to key legislative policies and educational board mandates.
- Streamlined information flow to school districts by ensuring timely updates about current certification statuses.
- Facilitated rule-development workshops to ensure public comment on pending laws or rule changes.
- Developed Legislative Budget Requests (LBR) for fiscal and programmatic recommendations to enhance educator certification.
- Worked closely with other DOE bureaus and offices to collaborate on key, cross-cutting topics, and issues.
- Facilitated responses to public record requests tied to educator certification for compliance.
- Executed high-level, confidential duties for the Department and Commissioner.
Bureau Chief
Florida Department Of Education
03.2020 - 03.2022
- Directed team of six federal program leaders in managing program parameters.
- Collaborated with federal program and fiscal teams.
- Supported the development and execution of enhanced strategies aligned with contract management standards.
- Inspired and guided staff towards achieving peak results.
- Cultivated and preserved proficiency in the field of contract management.
- Optimized bureau procedures to adapt to evolving requirements.
- Guided project performance to ensure adherence to priority educational statutes.
- Partnered with state, local, and federal stakeholders to optimize program performance.
Director, Title IV, Part-A
Florida Department Of Education (Contractor)
11.2017 - 03.2020
- Facilitated development of objectives for the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program.
- Supervised comprehensive administrative tasks, including hiring, reviews, and grants oversight.
- Ensures compliance with organizational, state, and federal rules and regulations.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to embody the Department's core values of quality and fairness.
- Conducted comprehensive statewide needs assessments.
- Supported advancements in school conditions, technology integration, digital literacy, and staff development.
- Managed $72,000,000 program budget for statewide i initiatives as a Florida Certified Grant Manager.
- Steered teams towards developing forward-thinking approaches through effective resource allocation.
- Formulated strategy to achieve targets without exceeding budget.
- Suggested modifications for funding policies through informed decision-making and data evaluation.
Health Education Coordinator
Florida Department Of Education
05.2012 - 11.2017
- Developed K-12 strategies for integrating Health Education.
- Delivered technical assistance via correspondence, telephone communications, technical papers, regional and statewide workshops, and on-site visits to districts.
- Supported cross-disciplinary teams in embedding health education benchmarks within their course frameworks.
- Produced and revised technical assistance documents to support state policy implementation.
- Developed and distributed Health Education updates every quarter to teachers and district officials.
- Expanded listserv from 67 to nearly 1,250 recipients.
- Contributed periodically to Department communication lists: FDOE News, Just for Teachers, and Just for Parents newsletters.
- Facilitated training on office standards for BSIS as delegated by the Bureau Chief.
- Managed implementation of state-level surveillance projects, including the YRBS and School Health Profiles programs.
- Managed logistics for the annual Healthy Schools Summer Academy for teachers and administrators.
- Analyzed and interpreted student survey data to enhance program outcomes.
- Reviewed and analyzed health education legislative bills with partners from various agencies.
- Member of the Florida Interagency Anti-Trafficking Workgroup.
- Served as the Commissioner of Education's designee on the Statewide Human Trafficking Council.
- Hosted informative lunch-and-learn sessions for various groups.
- Developed and disseminated consistent building-wide health information strategically positioned on all FDOE floors.
Mentor Facilitator/Grant Writer
A.A.M.E
11.2011 - 11.2013
- Facilitated mentoring and tutoring services for youth through an education network organization.
- Initiated innovative programs to secure grant funding.
- Designed and managed special events enhancing decision-making skills.
- Designed and deployed information dissemination plans targeting influential stakeholders.
- Encouraged resilience and determination in students when tackling complex assignments.
- Coordinated career and job fairs facilitating connections between students, local schools, and employers.
- Enabled student growth by providing targeted counseling and skill-enhancing exercises.
- Supported City Youth Ministries in guiding young individuals.
Education Consultant
YoMedics
05.2010 - 02.2012
- Designed curriculum structure tailored to YoMagination and YoMedics programs.
- Developed comprehensive guidelines adhering to Florida Sunshine State Standards for educators and physicians.
- Recommended program adjustments to improve educational outcomes in physical education.
- Collaborated with educators to develop effective teaching tools.
- Partnered with school administrators to enhance educational materials and student engagement.
- Enhanced educational programs by implementing technology-based learning strategies.
Exercise Physiologist
Innovative Sport Systems
05.1997 - 10.2011
- Organized and executed a summer sports day camp for children aged 9 to 16 years.
- Constructed specialized health programs catering to specific sports.
- Utilized cardiopulmonary fitness tests for analyzing physical performance capabilities.
- Created customized workout plans.
Health, Physical Education and Wellness Specialist
Orange County Public Schools
07.2004 - 07.2011
- Serves as the OCPS District Physical Education and Health Curriculum Resource for K-12 teachers.
- Developed comprehensive in-service training initiative.
- Crafted pioneering policy for OCPS Physical Education.
- Partnered with different school sectors like Food & Nutritional Services, County Engineers and Area Superintendents.
- Facilitated collaboration between OCPS and Healthy School Team programs to advance the district's wellness policy through community engagement.
- Contributed to creation of enhanced educational resources for OCPS professional growth.
- Facilitated public outreach campaigns highlighting benefits of effective health practices.
Eighth Grade Administrator
Orange County Public Schools
06.2002 - 06.2004
- Supervision of custodial staff
- Directed scheduling and performance evaluations for substitute teaches.
- Managed editorial process for school newsletter.
- Assisted in resolving student behavior concerns alongside school leadership.
- Assessed student competencies through verbal evaluations, graded coursework and performance on standardized tests.
- Developed effective partnerships with parents, ensuring cohesive student support.
- Enhanced parental engagement through well-organized discussions on parent-child communication skills.
- Oversaw organization of class initiatives, off-site activities, and speaker events.
- Delivered personalized support to individual students, ensuring group objectives were met.
Wellness Education Teacher
Corner Lake Middle School
01.2000 - 06.2002
- Taught Physical Education, Adapted Physical Education and Health Education
- Coached track and basketball
- Created ‘Fitastic Grandparents' Club
- Developed the lesson plan template for the wellness department
- Special Olympics Coordinator
- East Orange Sports Chairman
- Assisted in the development of strategic school/programs to endure the school improvement, academic planning, and resource development for alternative education
- Facilitated the teacher training program
- Served as Saturday School lead
Neighborhood Center Coordinator
Parent Resource Center
01.1998 - 01.2000
- Managed operational workflows for facilities in Pine Hills and Washington Shores, Florida.
- Planned and coordinated daily activities, budgets, and reports.
- Partnered with front-line staff, agency supervisors, faith based groups and key Orange County officials.
- Created innovative approaches to promote active participation in lessons.
- Coordinated establishment of community-focused Neighborhood Center supporting 12 social service agencies.
- Facilitated engagement in local community events.
- Introduced advanced computer software to strengthen analytical skills among local students.
- Conducted workshops to support school reading programs.
- Mentored team members in resolving operational issues and task execution.
- Evaluated executive policies to develop comprehensive documentation of staff processes.
Physical Education Teacher
Central Intermediate School
12.1990 - 05.1997
- Designed and taught engaging Physical Education activities for elementary students.
- Managed elementary and high school basketball coaching duties.
- Coordinated logistics and activities for Special Olympics events.
- Founded the elementary fitness initiative 'Fitastic Kids,' later evolving into a multigenerational engagement platform (Fitastic Grandparents Club).
- Awarded grant from Arkansas Board of Education.
- Recognized as Northeast Arkansas Teacher of the Year in 1994.
- Evaluated physical fitness levels of students to align objectives with progress.
- Taught physical education classes covering exercise strategies, sports and safety
- Adhered to state and federal requirements for physical fitness benchmarks.
- Promoted educational success by championing equal opportunities for all students.
Education
Master of Science (MSE) - Exercise Physiology
Arkansas State University
State University, ARBachelor of Science (BSE) - Physical Education Teaching And Coaching
Arkansas State University
State University, ARSkills
- Transformational leadership
- Mentorship and coaching
- Project management
- Team building
- Human trafficking prevention advocacy
- Strategic planning
- Staff development
- Budget and contract administration
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Relationship building
- Employee motivation
- Recruitment and hiring
- Operations management
Timeline
Bureau Chief
Florida Department Of Education
03.2022 - 01.2025
Bureau Chief
Florida Department Of Education
03.2020 - 03.2022
Director, Title IV, Part-A
Florida Department Of Education (Contractor)
11.2017 - 03.2020
Health Education Coordinator
Florida Department Of Education
05.2012 - 11.2017
Mentor Facilitator/Grant Writer
A.A.M.E
11.2011 - 11.2013
Education Consultant
YoMedics
05.2010 - 02.2012
Health, Physical Education and Wellness Specialist
Orange County Public Schools
07.2004 - 07.2011
Eighth Grade Administrator
Orange County Public Schools
06.2002 - 06.2004
Wellness Education Teacher
Corner Lake Middle School
01.2000 - 06.2002
Neighborhood Center Coordinator
Parent Resource Center
01.1998 - 01.2000
Exercise Physiologist
Innovative Sport Systems
05.1997 - 10.2011
Physical Education Teacher
Central Intermediate School
12.1990 - 05.1997
Bachelor of Science (BSE) - Physical Education Teaching And Coaching
Arkansas State University
Master of Science (MSE) - Exercise Physiology
Arkansas State University
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