Niesha A. Speights

Seasoned professional with 23 years of experience in mentoring and supervising individuals from diverse backgrounds. Demonstrated ability to foster a community mindset in educational and professional settings. Proven organizational and leadership capabilities, with extensive knowledge of instructional technology tools. Skilled in event planning, academic presentations, and implementing special education and social-emotional learning initiatives.

• Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (Covington Area Alumnae Chapter)
• Virginia Education Association (VEA)
• Hampton University Alumni, Georgia Chapter
• Georgia Federation of Teachers

• Dr. Regina Blanton, Principal, Henderson Mill Elementary School, 2408 Henderson Mill Rd., Atlanta, GA, 30345, (678) 874-3102, Regina_smiley-blanton@dekalbschoolsga.org
• Dr. Keith Benton, Director of Student and Family Support, Newton County Schools, 2109 Newton Dr., Covington, GA, 30014, (770) 385-6491, Benton.keith@newton.k12.ga.us
• Sherlonda Williams, Instructional Coach, Redan Elementary School, 1914 S. Stone Mountain Lithonia Rd., Lithonia, GA, 30058, (815) 214-1337, Sherlonda85@gmail.com

• SAMS Club/Walmart 2001 Virginia Teacher of the Year
• Virginia Professional Teaching License Highly qualified PreK – 6th grade
• Reading/Science Gifted Certification (Virginia)
• Georgia Professional Teaching License Elementary Education PreK – 5th grade
• Georgia Educational Leadership/Supervision Certification
• Teen Mental Health First Aid Certified Instructor
• Youth Mental Health First Aid Certified Instructor

• Led a community-to-schools partnership, in which students were offered opportunities to receive free eye screenings conducted by the Covington Lions Club. If students received a failed screening, families were given a voucher that equated to a formal eye exam by an optometrist and two free pairs of eyeglasses.
• Partnering with local churches and community servants, created a weekend Snack Program for Newton County School students. This program focused on those students and families who were identified as suffering from food insecurity.
• Literacy Partnership with the National Hook-Up of Black Women, Atlanta Chapter, 01/01/21 - Present, Implemented a school-wide Read-A-Thon during Black History Month. This initiative, which saw active participation from all stakeholders, including students, teachers, parents, and community leaders, was a powerful celebration of African American literature and history. The impact of this event resonated throughout the community, inspiring a love for reading and a deeper understanding of African American culture.
• Book Partnership, 01/01/21 - Present: Students are given free books to enhance their home libraries, which occurs four times throughout the school year.
• Comprehensive Strategic Improvement Plan (CSIP)/Title I Committee, 01/01/19 - 12/31/21, Assisted the Principal with updating documents for the Continuous School Improvement Plan as well as proposals for spending Title I Funds. Monitored specified data: MAP scores, Imagine Learning Usage and Outcomes, to determine if student growth was happening. Completed the SWAT Analysis reports that detailed the root causes of negative impacts on school morale and culture. Solutions were later discussed, and new predictors were implemented.
• Principal’s Advisory Committee VP/Stone Mountain Elementary School, 01/01/19 - 12/31/21, Served as a member and liaison officer between the community and the school. In this role, I was responsible for addressing concerns presented by students, parents, staff, and various committee members. Through regular Town Hall Meetings, I ensured that all voices were heard and that problems were addressed in a timely and effective manner.
• Literacy Lead Teacher/Stone Mountain Elementary School, 01/01/19 - 12/31/21, Serve as liaison and point of contact for the school, Literacy Instructional Team, and administration. Attend biweekly meetings to discuss county initiatives, the use of reading materials in grade-level classrooms, and to share ideas being used by other schools. Point of contact for varying district and state reading competitions, Reading Bowl, Writing Contests, Spelling Bee. Mentor for new teachers, specifically those teachers who teach literacy; dissecting data and using it as a reliable means to plan teaching, classroom management, lesson planning, choosing tasks that promote student engagement, as well as giving teachers good student information.
• Literacy Lead Teacher/JC Magill Elementary School, 01/01/16 - 12/31/19, Serve as liaison and point of contact for 5th grade team, educational instruction team, and administration. Attend weekly meetings to discuss reading, testing data, the use of reading materials in classrooms, and to share ideas being used in classrooms.
• Literacy Instructional Support Coach/JC Magill Elementary, 01/01/16 - 12/31/18, Serve as liaison and point of contact in Literacy for the 3rd grade instructional team. Facilitate monthly meetings to discuss instructional resources beneficial for classroom teachers. Discuss discrepancies with instructional delivery and student learning.
• During my tenure as Co-Chair of Multicultural Night at JC Magill Elementary, from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2018, I served as a key liaison and point of contact for the planning and implementation of multicultural night activities. I led a team in facilitating weekly meetings to discuss the overall details and plans for the multicultural night, and established guidelines for the festivities. My work with the Parent Coordinator to develop community relationships with neighboring businesses helped the school successfully bridge the gap between all stakeholders.
• Science Lead Teacher/Dumfries Elementary School, 01/01/09 - 12/31/16, Serve as liaison and point of contact for educational instruction team and administration. Attend monthly county meetings to discuss testing data, use of science materials in classrooms, and to share ideas being used at base schools.
• Team Leader/Rippon Middle School, Dumfries Elementary School, 01/01/04 - 12/31/06, Serve as liaison and point of contact for educational instruction team and administration. Responsible for scheduling conferences for team members, parents, and students. Conduct weekly meetings to consult and collaborate with teachers and students regarding effective instruction and creative learning techniques. Collect testing data from the team and present it to the administration. Attend monthly leadership meetings with administration.
• Mentor Teacher/Rippon Middle School, 01/01/03 - 12/31/06, Mentored and established interpersonal relationships with new teachers to provide an easy transition into teacher life. Responsible for supervising approximately three teachers. Conducted weekly check-ins with mentees. Facilitated biweekly meetings with mentees to discuss any questions or concerns and established a productive, working relationship with Administration and other Supervisors to keep communication open, transparent, and fluid.
• Diversity Trainer, 01/01/02 - 12/31/04, Conducted in-services throughout the Prince William County school system and delivered presentations designed to institute diversity awareness within the workplace and classrooms. Actively participate in workshops that develop educational strategies and instruction that accommodate the needs of students from diverse backgrounds.
• Student Cooperative Association Sponsor/Rippon Middle School, 01/01/00 - 12/31/04, Scheduled supervised weekly meetings of approximately 40 students to promote student involvement in school policies and planned, organized, and directed food drives for families in need of temporary assistance with the school and community. Planned, organized, and directed extracurricular activities for students, including dances, talent showcases, and pep rallies. Established business partnerships with local businesses and organizations throughout Prince William County. Worked cooperatively with administration, parents, and students.
• Math Lead Teacher/Rippon Middle School, 01/01/00 - 12/31/02, Facilitated weekly meetings to ensure proper creativity in implementing curriculum instruction by fellow teachers. Responsible for matriculating needed instructional materials with fellow teachers.