Priscilla Mendez
Medford,NJ
Summary
Enthusiastic educator and people-oriented leader with extensive experience delivering high-quality virtual and on-site professional development. Specialized in coaching diverse K-12 staff on integrating technology and best-practice instruction to help all students achieve. Committed to using analytical decision-making and strategic planning to increase customer engagement and maximize the success of educational initiatives.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Principal of Instruction
Mastery High School of Camden
Camden, NJ
03.2024 - Current
- Supervised, coached, and evaluated teachers across grades 9-12 (Math, Science, Multilingual Learner Services)
- Increased student achievement levels of state standardized tests in one school year: +7.2 points in NJGPA - Math, +8.2 points in NJSLA - Science, and +1.6 points in WIDA - ACCESS
- Formally coached and promoted 3 teachers based on instructional effectiveness, student perception scores, and professional responsibilities.
District Consultant
School District of Philadelphia
, Remote
12.2021 - 03.2024
- Provided over 300 hours of in-person and virtual professional development with focus on general instructional coaching or best practices for leveraging our products for universal screening, remediation, acceleration and/or enrichment to any of the 246 school campuses to work with any of the 7,000 teachers, 500 school administrators, and 200 district administrators
- Supported other school accounts with PD sessions across the US when opportunities arose
- Actively participated in learning cohorts, including: Star (Early Literacy, Reading, Math, Spanish, CBM, CBM Lectura), Schoolzilla/Renaissance Analytics, Nearpod, and FastBridge
- Led cohorts by creating learning plans, organizing resources, and building professional learning materials for Champions Academy and Star Comprehensive Suite
- Mentor to another District Consultant, providing direct professional growth and development support
- Founding member and leader of RAICES ERG (Latino/a employee resource group)
- Renaissance Learning
Teaching & Learning Manager
Freire Schools Collaborative
Philadelphia, PA
06.2021 - 12.2021
- Worked with CEO, Chief of Teaching and Learning, Managing Director, and Director of Performance Management to set, track, and make recommendations pertaining to network-wide ELA and Math goals
- Created and led innovative network-wide professional development sessions uniquely tailored for new teachers, lab leaders, or all faculty and staff based on identified gaps of target audience
- Observed, coached, and supported Heads of Academics, Directors of Curriculum and Instruction, Lab Leaders, and faculty across all four campuses in the areas of Math and ELA
Director of Academic Instruction, STEAM
Making Waves Academy Schools
Richmond, CA
06.2018 - 06.2021
- Supervised, coached, and evaluated teachers across grades 5-12 (Math, Science, CTE, Arts, English, Social Sciences, World Languages, Health & Wellness)
- Increased student achievement on state standardized test scores (SBAC) by 21.6 points in English and 12.5 points in Math during the 2018-19 academic year (no data available from the 2019-20 AY)
- Designed and supported the implementation of a virtual learning experience for grades 5 through 12 while simultaneously providing support for teacher professional development with a clear focus on integrating rigorous, equitable, and sustainable teaching practices
- Distinguished ratings received on performance evaluations
Science Content Lead & Teacher
Making Waves Academy Upper School
Richmond, CA
07.2016 - 06.2018
- Collaborated with teachers to align instructional materials with learning objectives.
- Mentored and trained junior staff on content creation best practices.
- Developed engaging curriculum content for diverse student audiences.
Science Teacher
Kendrick High School
Columbus, GA
07.2015 - 06.2016
- Facilitated hands-on experiments to promote scientific inquiry and curiosity.
- Collaborated with colleagues to design interdisciplinary projects and curriculum.
Science Teacher
C.E. Ellison High School
Killeen, TX
07.2012 - 06.2015
- Researched new methods of teaching science concepts more effectively.
- Adapted teaching methods and instructional strategies to promote learning in students of differing skill levels.
Science Teacher
UrbanPromise Academy
Camden, NJ
09.2010 - 06.2012
- Distinguished ratings received on performance evaluations
- Highest passing rate on Georgia Biology ECOT and Texas STAAR Biology assessment
- Subjects taught: Earth Science, Biology, Physical Science, Modern Physics & Chemistry, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, Study Skills, Academic Enhancement, Career Exploration, Developmental Skills, CollegeSpring SAT Prep, Credit Recovery, Academic Recovery, Georgia Milestone Academic Preparation
- Levels of classes taught: Inclusion, General, Pre-AP (AP Certified)
Education
Bachelor of Science - Biology and Secondary Education, Liberal Learning Concentration: Law and Society
The College of New Jersey
Ewing, NJMaster of Education - Education Policy, Organization and Leadership, Concentration: Educational Administration and Leadership
University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign, ILSkills
- Andragogy and instructional design
- Curriculum development and assessment
- Coaching and mentorship
- Performance evaluation
- Risk management strategies
- Effective communication
- Collaborative teamwork
- Facilitative leadership skills
- Differentiated instruction techniques
- Capacity building initiatives
- Project management expertise
- Data analysis proficiency
- Cultural responsiveness practices
- Budget management
- Logistics and operations oversight
Training
- REthinc: Equity Driven Leadership
- The Management Center Training: Managing to Change the World
- CircleUp Ed Training: Diversity Uncovered
- Interaction Associates Trainings: Managing With Impact, Facilitative Leadership
- Education, Excellence and Equity (E3) Training: Art of Master Educator Institute
- Project Based Learning (PBL World) Trainings: PBL 101, PBL Leadership Team
- Bureau of Education & Research (BER) Training: Response to Intervention for At-Risk Students
- Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE) Training: NGSS Implementation Shifts
- CollegeSpring Training: SAT Test Preparation
- Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Trainings: Summer Institute, Online Modules
- Red Cross Trainings: CPR, First Aid, and AED
Certifications
New Jersey CEAS in Science (Grades 4-8) and Life Science (Grades 8-12), Texas Standard in Science (Grades 8-12) and Life Sciences (Grades 8-12), Georgia Standard in Biology (Grades 6-12) and Science (Grades 6-12), California Preliminary in Biological Sciences (Grades PK-12)
Timeline
Assistant Principal of Instruction
Mastery High School of Camden
03.2024 - Current
District Consultant
School District of Philadelphia
12.2021 - 03.2024
Teaching & Learning Manager
Freire Schools Collaborative
06.2021 - 12.2021
Director of Academic Instruction, STEAM
Making Waves Academy Schools
06.2018 - 06.2021
Science Content Lead & Teacher
Making Waves Academy Upper School
07.2016 - 06.2018
Science Teacher
Kendrick High School
07.2015 - 06.2016
Science Teacher
C.E. Ellison High School
07.2012 - 06.2015
Science Teacher
UrbanPromise Academy
09.2010 - 06.2012
Bachelor of Science - Biology and Secondary Education, Liberal Learning Concentration: Law and Society
The College of New Jersey
Master of Education - Education Policy, Organization and Leadership, Concentration: Educational Administration and Leadership
University of Illinois