Mina Ardestani
Scranton,PA
Summary
Educational leader with expertise in fostering students' academic, emotional, and social growth. Gifted at forming enduring bonds and working in tandem with others to accomplish goals. Assertive and self-driven school administrator who prioritizes the needs of the school community.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Adjunct Faculty
Penn State University
08.2023 - Current
- Developing, delivering, and reviewing course material and syllabi
- Creating classroom environment where students feel welcome and comfortable to ask questions
- Preparing students for real world application of knowledge
- Maintain appropriate records in an organized, efficient manner for every individual class taught, and have this information prepared for students at all times
- Cultivate a desire to build relationships, find solutions to problems and be helpful
- Established positive relationships with students, fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment
- Enhanced student comprehension by creating interactive lectures and incorporating multimedia resources
Elementary Principal
McNichols Plaza
07.2018 - Current
- Supervision and evaluation of faculty and staff
- Plan, organize, and direct implementation of all school activities
- Establish and maintain an effective learning environment
- Maintain complete school records related to enrollment, attendance, grading, and discipline
- Prepare and submit all school's budgetary requests and monitor expenditure of funds
- Work collaboratively with other elementary principals, district directors, and members of central administration to keep abreast of new and updated policies, regulations and state mandates
- Oversee school's MTSS process
- Oversee implementation of 504's and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)
- Develop and monitor school wide Title I and TSI Plan
- Oversaw the integration of technology into classroom instruction to enrich learning experiences and prepare students for future academic endeavors
- Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal law and district policies regarding curriculum standards, assessment reporting, and special education services
- Maintain open lines of communication with staff, parents, and community members through regular updates on school progress, challenges encountered, and future plans for continued growth
- Promote community partnerships to enhance educational experiences for students through guest speakers, field trips, and collaborative events
- Cultivate a positive school culture by promoting staff recognition programs and fostering open communication among all stakeholders
- Cultivate positive relationships between community members, school students, and teachers
- Strengthen teacher collaboration through the establishment of professional learning communities focused on student achievement
- Member of district in-service committee and SEL committee
- ATSI school facilitator
- Collaborate with stakeholders to meet the needs of faculty, staff, and student needs through needs assessment and data collection
- Provide additional professional development opportunities to faculty and staff
Curriculum and Instruction Coordinator
Howard Gardner MI Charter School
08.2015 - 07.2018
- Planned and provided professional development for faculty/staff
- Supported staff with curriculum mapping, writing, and implementation
- Communicated with parents, faculty, and administrators daily
- Proctored state assessments (PSSA, W-APT, Access 2.0)
- Assessed and monitored progress of English Learners
- Analyzed data with faculty and staff
- Member of Student Assistance Program
- Developed documentation for SAP process
- Taught Spanish language and culture grades K-8
- Member of Comprehensive Planning Committee
- Program Coordinator of Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
- Actively participated in multiple committees and leadership roles
- Oversaw PVAAS Roster Verification Process
- Participated in workshops and in-service meetings to enhance personal growth and professional development
Spanish Teacher
Fell Charter School
08.2008 - 07.2014
- Boosted student engagement with interactive activities that incorporated authentic materials from Spanish-speaking countries
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students
- Enhanced cultural awareness in students by incorporating Spanish customs, traditions, and history into lessons
- Contributed to curriculum development, ensuring alignment with state standards and incorporation of best practices in foreign language instruction
- Taught Spanish culture and language grades K-8
- Assisted students one on one or small group for Title I Reading and math support
- Communicated daily with parents, administrators and colleagues
- Member of child study team
- Organized school wide fundraisers
Education
Doctor of Education - Educational Leadership
Delaware Valley University
Doylestown, PA05.2023
Master of Science - School Leadership
Marywood University
Scranton, PA05.2018
Master of Education - Curriculum and Instruction
King's College
Wilkes-Barre, PA05.2014
Program Specialist - English as a Second Language
King's College
Wilkes-Barre, PA05.2012
Post Baccalaureate - Education
King's College
Wilkes-Barre, PA05.2010
Bachelor of Art - Spanish
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA05.2007
Skills
- Google Level I Educator
- Learning Management Systems
- Online learning tools
- Training and mentoring
- Staff development
- Community engagement
- School community relations
- Interpersonal strengths
- Business relationships
- Student performance data analysis
- Proficient in Microsoft, Google, Youtube, Zoom, Weebly
- Analytical thinking
Accomplishments
- Partnership with the Creative and Performing Arts Academy, received 8 student scholarships, 2022-2023
- Recipient of the NEIU Arts Engage Grant $11,504, 2022-2023
- Recipient of $8,000 Tier 2 PaTTAN Grant, 2021-2022
- Recipient of $10,000 PaTTAN UDL Grant, 2021-2022
- Recipient of $53,000 TerraCycle, Colgate, Shoprite Upcycle Contest, 2021-2022
- Acquired 1,500 Hotspots from T-Mobile for Virtual Learning, 2021
- Recipient of $10,000 MTSS PaTTan Grant, 2020-2021
- Completion of NISL Course I & II of the Pennsylvania Inspired Leadership Program, 2019-2021
- Created Distance Learning PD Portal, 2020
- Google Educator Level I, 2020
- School recognition for implementation of Tier I PBIS from Pattan,2019- 2023
- Recipient of $65,000 Wells Fargo Grant 2018-2019
Affiliations
Pennsylvania Principals Association, 2018- Present
Honors And Awards
- Northeast Woman, Scranton Times, 2020
- Kappa Delta Phi, King's College, 2014
Professional References
- Mr. Pat Laffey, 570.430.9187
- Dr. Candis Finan, 570.213.1719
- Mrs. Melissa McTiernan, 570.313.1676
- Dr. Erin Keating, 570.575.2699
- Mrs. Julie Schumacher-Cohen, 570.862.6611
Professional Development
- Safety Crisis Management, 2023
- NISL completion, 2022
- Key2Ed, 2022
- Act 13, 2021
- Restorative Practices, 2021
- Wellness, SEL and Yoga Teacher Training, 2021
- Google Level II Training, 2021
- Google Level I Training, 2020
- Foundations: Data to Action, 2019
- Creating the CALM, 2019
- Leading Trauma Sensitive Schools, 2019
- Embedded Formative Assessment, 2017-2018
- Olweus Bullying Prevention, 2017
- Google Bootcamp, 2016
- Student Assistance Program, 2015
- Co-Teaching, 2010
Community Service
Founder and President, Presence from Prison, Scranton, PA
Timeline
Adjunct Faculty
Penn State University
08.2023 - Current
Elementary Principal
McNichols Plaza
07.2018 - Current
Curriculum and Instruction Coordinator
Howard Gardner MI Charter School
08.2015 - 07.2018
Spanish Teacher
Fell Charter School
08.2008 - 07.2014
Doctor of Education - Educational Leadership
Delaware Valley University
Master of Science - School Leadership
Marywood University
Master of Education - Curriculum and Instruction
King's College
Program Specialist - English as a Second Language
King's College
Post Baccalaureate - Education
King's College
Bachelor of Art - Spanish
Temple University