Randi Oleson
Ankeny,IA
Summary
Passionate Leader dedicated to systemic change, DEI, effective communication, and cultivating positive and supportive community with a sense of and purpose and belonging.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Student Services
Des Moines Public Schools
07.2018 - Current
- Maintained energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment.
- Collaborated with the leaders of 12 schools serving 7200 students to problem solve issues of educational access, student discipline and crisis management. Built systems to identify student need and implement solutions
- Supervised and evaluated team of 45 professional staff providing specialized services to students.
- Offered friendly and efficient service to customers, handled challenging situations with ease.
Principal
Des Moines Public Schools
07.2007 - 06.2018
- Supervised 92 staff members across the city of Des Moines providing services to support 600 students with behavioral and mental health issues
- Trained teachers on effective teaching techniques, classroom management strategies and behavior modification.
- Cultivated positive relationships between community members, school students and teachers.
- Implemented Communities in Schools and Trauma Sensitive Supports and practices resulting in a 40% increase in attendance and decreasing arrests at school from 197 to 1 in one year.
- Performed classroom evaluations to assess teacher strategies and effectiveness.
- Supported hiring, training, and disciplinary action in compliance with legal guidelines and requirements.
- Defined and enforced student academic achievement standards in line with district goals and objectives.
- Secured grants and donations totaling from a variety of sources to provide supports to students and families in need.
- Established positive, stimulating learning environment for students and exciting education-focused setting for teachers.
Special Education Consultant
Des Moines Public Schools
08.2001 - 06.2007
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Redesigned special education services to meet the diverse needs students in the least restrictive setting allowing them to make significant academic and behavioral gains.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Offered friendly and efficient service to customers, handled challenging situations with ease.
- Participated in continuous improvement by generating suggestions, engaging in problem-solving activities to support teamwork.
Classroom Special Education Teacher
Urban, Suburban And Rural Districts
08.1991 - 06.2007
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Education
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OKMaster of Arts - Curriculum And Instructional Technology
Iowa State University
Ames, IAAdvanced Study - Educational Leadership
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IASkills
- Leadership and Collaboration
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB)
- Communication
- Customer Service and crisis management
National Speech and Debate Association
- Coached competitive high school speech and debate
- Tournament Official for the National Speech and Debate Association annual national tournament. Involved in all aspects of hosting a competitive academic competition for over 6000 students from across the United States and across the globe.
Timeline
Director of Student Services
Des Moines Public Schools
07.2018 - Current
Principal
Des Moines Public Schools
07.2007 - 06.2018
Special Education Consultant
Des Moines Public Schools
08.2001 - 06.2007
Classroom Special Education Teacher
Urban, Suburban And Rural Districts
08.1991 - 06.2007
Bachelor of Science - Education
Oklahoma State University
Master of Arts - Curriculum And Instructional Technology
Iowa State University
Advanced Study - Educational Leadership
University of Northern Iowa
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