Molly K. Chace
Orange
Summary
Educational leader with more than 20 years of experience supporting teacher growth, developing strong teams, and leading organizational initiatives. Known for building collaborative cultures, strengthening professional practice, and guiding schools through periods of change and improvement. Experienced in hiring, onboarding, employee development, accreditation, strategic planning, and professional learning.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Principal, Director of Innovative Education, and Faculty Leader
Mater Dei High School
Santa Ana, California
01.2016 - Current
- Lead faculty development, evaluation, onboarding, and professional growth efforts for approximately 90 teachers in partnership with department chairs and school leadership.
- Conduct approximately 30 formal evaluations annually while providing coaching, feedback, and support designed to strengthen instructional practice and professional growth.
- Design and oversee the school's professional development vision and annual learning plan, aligning training opportunities with organizational priorities and faculty needs.
- Plan and facilitate faculty meetings, professional development sessions, and leadership conversations that support collaboration, communication, and continuous improvement.
- Lead onboarding and mentoring programs for new teachers, helping faculty successfully transition into the school community and culture.
- Participate in hiring and selection processes for faculty and leadership positions, contributing to more than 100 interviews and hiring decisions.
- Support employee performance conversations, improvement plans, investigations, and personnel matters while maintaining a focus on professionalism, accountability, and growth.
- Co-led faculty training and implementation efforts related to generative AI, helping teachers thoughtfully integrate emerging technologies into their work.
- Led faculty readiness efforts during the COVID transition, developing training, communication structures, and support systems that helped teachers adapt to rapidly changing instructional environments.
- Manage departmental budgets and resources while aligning expenditures with school priorities and strategic goals.
- Revise and maintain faculty handbooks, evaluation structures, and organizational procedures to support consistency and clarity across the school.
- Serve as a leader within the school's ongoing WCEA accreditation and continuous improvement process.
- Selected Leadership Responsibilities & Accomplishments
English Teacher & College Writing Teacher
Da Vinci Science Charter School
Hawthorne, CA
01.2011 - 01.2016
- Taught English and Senior Seminar courses within a highly collaborative, project-based learning environment focused on real-world application, critical thinking, and student ownership of learning.
- Served on a leadership team trained in mastery-based learning and assessment practices, helping support the school's implementation of a significant instructional and cultural shift.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop, refine, and align curriculum, assessment practices, and interdisciplinary learning experiences.
- Supported faculty adoption of new instructional approaches through collaboration, shared planning, and continuous improvement efforts.
- Designed and facilitated college readiness programming that guided students through post-secondary planning, college applications, and transition to life after high school.
- Used student performance data and feedback to evaluate program effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Contributed to a school culture centered on innovation, collaboration, continuous learning, and student success.
- Selected Responsibilities & Accomplishments
Vice Principal, Dean of Students, English Teacher
San Gabriel Mission High School
San Gabriel, CA
01.2004 - 01.2011
- Progressively promoted into leadership positions with increasing responsibility for operations, supervision, and organizational effectiveness.
- Served on the WASC leadership team and supported accreditation, strategic planning, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Developed schoolwide systems, policies, and procedures while managing complex stakeholder relationships.
Education
Master of Arts - Secondary Education
Loyola Marymount University
01-2006
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature
Loyola Marymount University
01-2004
Skills
- Leadership & Team Development
- Professional Learning & Training
- Hiring & Onboarding
- Employee Evaluation & Coaching
- Change Management
- Culture Building
- Facilitation & Communication
- Program Development
- Accreditation & Continuous Improvement
- Technology & AI Integration
- Stakeholder Engagement
Websites
Certification
California Single Subject Teaching Credential – English
Timeline
Assistant Principal, Director of Innovative Education, and Faculty Leader
Mater Dei High School
01.2016 - Current
English Teacher & College Writing Teacher
Da Vinci Science Charter School
01.2011 - 01.2016
Vice Principal, Dean of Students, English Teacher
San Gabriel Mission High School
01.2004 - 01.2011
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature
Loyola Marymount University
Master of Arts - Secondary Education
Loyola Marymount University
ADDITIONAL LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
- WASC Visiting Committee Member – Paraclete High School
- Designed and facilitated culture-building professional development based on principles from Unreasonable Hospitality.
- Oversaw digital resource selection, database implementation, and faculty access to instructional technologies.