NICOLE ARRINGTON
Suffolk,VA
Summary
Experienced secondary school leader committed to advancing student achievement through strategic school improvement, strong instructional leadership, and collaborative team development. Skilled in building coherent systems that support rigorous Tier 1 instruction, data-informed decision making, and equitable access to advanced learning opportunities. Proven ability to cultivate a positive school culture grounded in high expectations, accountability, and meaningful student support. Recognized for leading with stability and decisive action in complex and high-pressure situations while maintaining a clear focus on students, staff growth, and sustainable school success.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
APEX Leadership Development Success Partner
Newport News Public Schools
Newport News, USA
09.2025 - Current
- Co-designed and facilitate the division-wide APEX: The Assistant Principal Experience leadership development program in partnership with the Director of Secondary School Leadership.
- Structure monthly leadership sessions attended by veteran and novice assistant principals, creating a shared framework for instructional supervision, operational leadership, and school culture development.
- Support a mentorship model in which veteran assistant principals guide newer administrators through reflective dialogue, shadowing experiences, and leadership problem-solving.
- Developed case studies and discussion protocols focused on discipline systems, instructional coaching, decision-making, and policy interpretation.
- Collaborated with Human Resources leadership to integrate employee relations guidance within the broader leadership development framework.
- Strengthened consistency across secondary schools by aligning assistant principal leadership practices to division expectations and core values.
- Contribute to the development of a sustainable leadership pipeline by building capacity in emerging school leaders
Assistant Principal for Instruction
Menchville High School
Newport News, USA
07.2023 - Current
- Lead the instructional leadership team in implementing structured improvement cycles that strengthen Tier 1 instruction and ensure schoolwide coherence.
- Implement coaching cycles and conduct observations to elevate instructional rigor, inclusive practices, and teacher effectiveness.
- Design and execute strategic professional learning aligned to school improvement priorities and measurable student outcomes.
- Establish and sustain data-driven systems that align curriculum pacing, inform instructional decisions, and promote targeted intervention.
- Promote cross-disciplinary literacy and problem-solving practices while building teacher leadership capacity through structured feedback and action planning.
- Partner with counseling and CTE teams to monitor advanced course access, industry credential attainment, and postsecondary readiness indicators.
- Established schoolwide data talks and structured common planning protocols, yielding double-digit gains in math and social studies unit assessments.
Secondary Assistant Principal
Menchville High School
Newport News, VA
07.2022 - 07.2023
- Built productive relationships with parents and students
- Trained teachers on effective teaching techniques, classroom management strategies, and behavior modification.
- Supervised and evaluated teaching and support staff through instructional leadership and professional development.
- Managed student behavior and applied restorative discipline strategies.
- Facilitated classroom evaluations to measure teacher strategies and impact.
- Increased Math SOL pass rates from 71% to 84% through targeted coaching, data-driven action planning, and accountability systems.
Lead English Teacher
Heritage High School
Newport News, VA
07.2018 - 07.2022
- Provided instructional leadership to strengthen curriculum alignment and improve student achievement.
- Led department data analysis and improvement planning processes.
- Mentored teachers and facilitated collaborative professional learning to strengthen instructional practice.
- Increased SOL pass rates for students with disabilities from 55% to 72% in year one of leadership.
English Teacher
Heritage High School
Newport News, VA
07.2003 - 07.2018
- Delivered rigorous, standards-aligned instruction that resulted in strong student outcomes.
- Designed differentiated instruction to meet diverse learner needs.
- Achieved 100% Reading SOL pass rate and 97% Writing SOL pass rate in first year of teaching.
Education
Ed.D - K-12 School Leadership
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA05-2018
Master in Teaching - Secondary English
Hampton University
Hampton05-2003
Bachelor of Arts - English
Hampton University
Hampton05-2002
Skills
- Strategic School Improvement & Instructional Focus
- Instructional Leadership & Teacher Development
- Data-informed Decision Making & Student Achievement
- Equitable Access to Rigorous & Advanced Learning
- Positive School Culture, Climate & Student Support
- Staff Supervision, Evaluation & Professional Growth
- Operational Leadership & Policy Implementation
- Family & Community Engagement
- Crisis Leadership, Stability & Decisive Action
Certification
Virginia Postgraduate Professional License – Administration & Supervision
Timeline
APEX Leadership Development Success Partner
Newport News Public Schools
09.2025 - Current
Assistant Principal for Instruction
Menchville High School
07.2023 - Current
Secondary Assistant Principal
Menchville High School
07.2022 - 07.2023
Lead English Teacher
Heritage High School
07.2018 - 07.2022
English Teacher
Heritage High School
07.2003 - 07.2018
Ed.D - K-12 School Leadership
Regent University
Master in Teaching - Secondary English
Hampton University
Bachelor of Arts - English
Hampton University