Rebecca A. McDonald-White
Claremore
Summary
Experienced education leader with rich background in academic leadership and strategic planning. Successfully led curriculum development initiatives and fostered faculty excellence. Demonstrated ability to enhance institutional reputation and improve student outcomes through collaborative leadership and effective policy implementation.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Dean of Curriculum and Instruction
Holy Family Classical School
Tulsa, OK
06.2025 - Current
- Provided strategic leadership for K–12 curriculum alignment, ensuring vertical and horizontal coherence across content areas, grade levels, and instructional practices
- Led curriculum development, review, and implementation schoolwide, integrating mission-aligned pedagogy, standards-based instruction, and classical educational principles
- Directed the implementation of the Science of Reading in early elementary grades, including curriculum selection, instructional practices, progress monitoring, and teacher support
- Designed and delivered ongoing professional development for faculty, including whole-group trainings, targeted workshops, and follow-up coaching cycles
- Served as an instructional coach, conducting classroom observations, providing actionable feedback, modeling lessons
- Conducted performance evaluations, providing constructive feedback to promote professional growth.
- Facilitated data-driven decision making by utilizing assessment tools to evaluate program effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
- Streamlined administrative processes for increased efficiency, resulting in reduced workload for faculty members.
Learning Specialist
Holy Family Classical School
Tulsa, OK
08.2024 - 06.2025
- Co-developed and launched an innovative special education program tailored to diverse learning needs, increasing student engagement and academic success
- Provided instructional coaching to support teachers in enhancing their instructional strategies and classroom management techniques, fostering a more effective and engaging learning environment
- Led IAP parent meetings to review assessment results and discuss Individualized Academic Plans, ensuring tailored support for each student's educational success
- Implemented a new phonics curriculum for grades 1-2, enhancing early literacy development and improving foundational reading skills
- Delivered targeted literacy interventions for students in Pre-K through 12th grade, improving reading comprehension, fluency, and overall literacy skills
- Designed and implemented individualized weekly intervention lesson plans for each student on caseload, targeting specific learning needs and increasing academic growth
Fifth Grade Elementary Teacher
Holy Family Classical School
Tulsa, OK
08.2022 - 05.2024
- Designed and delivered standards-aligned lesson plans across all core subject areas, incorporating appropriate resources, differentiation, and classical instructional methods
- Collaborated with faculty to ensure vertical and horizontal curriculum alignment, supporting cohesive K–8 academic progression
- Developed and facilitated Professional Learning Community (PLC) sessions focused on the Science of Reading, equipping faculty with research-based literacy strategies and instructional best practices
- Implemented classical pedagogy through Socratic discussion, narration, copywork, and integrated humanities instruction across disciplines
- Served as Chair of Academics for Accreditation, leading evidence collection, coordinating faculty contributions, and ensuring compliance with accreditation standards and documentation requirements
- Monitored student progress through formal and informal assessments and used data to adjust instruction and support individual student needs
- Fostered strong classroom culture rooted in virtue formation, student accountability, and partnership with families
Private Literacy Tutor
Broken Arrow, OK
06.2021 - 08.2022
- Administered multiple literacy assessments to determine specific student learning needs to drive instruction
- Utilized progress monitoring data to drive instruction
- Created individualized lesson plans for each student to meet specific learning needs
- Created detailed report for parents explaining data from literacy assessments and the individualized plan for tutoring
Second and Third Grade Elementary Teacher
Briarglen Elementary
Tulsa, OK
08.2008 - 05.2012
- Prepared and executed lesson plans, including collecting necessary resources for lessons
- Prepared and executed lesson plans for tutoring students in after school program
- Collaborated with colleagues on a weekly basis to analyze collected data from assessments to differentiate instruction
- Effectively managed a classroom with 17 students on a formal or informal behavior plan
- Communicated with students, parents, administrators, counselors and child therapists to resolve student behavioral issues with a high success rate
First Grade Elementary Teacher
McClure Elementary
Tulsa, OK
08.2007 - 05.2008
- Prepared and executed lesson plans, including collecting necessary resources needed for lessons
- Collaborated with colleagues to expand instructional strategies and techniques
- Responsible for tutoring students in after school program
Leasing Agent
South Port Apartments
Tulsa, OK
05.2007 - 08.2007
Full Internship, Second Grade
All Saints Catholic School
Broken Arrow, OK
01.2007 - 05.2007
- Observed classes and assisted classroom teacher
- Prepared and taught lesson plans for nine weeks
Pre-Intern, Sixth Grade
Locust Grove Upper Elementary School
Locust Grove, OK
08.2006 - 11.2006
- Observed classes and assisted classroom teacher
- Prepared and taught three different lesson plans
- Assisted students who were behind with classroom work
Leasing Agent
South Port Apartments
Tulsa, OK
05.2006 - 10.2006
Head Start Substitute
Cookson Hills Community Action Agency
Tahlequah, OK
09.2005 - 05.2006
- Responsible for overseeing the safety of the students
- Prepared activities for students
Pre-Intern, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth Grade
Locust Grove Upper Elementary School
Locust Grove, OK
10.2005 - 11.2005
- Observed classes and assisted classroom teacher
Leasing Consultant
The Falls at Shadow Mountain
Tulsa, OK
05.2005 - 08.2005
Leasing Agent
South Port Apartments
Tulsa, OK
01.2005 - 05.2005
Sunday School Teacher
Cookson Hills Community Action Agency
Tahlequah, OK
09.2001 - 05.2005
- Responsible for overseeing the safety of the students
- Prepared activities for students
Sales Associate
01.2004 - 01.2005
Education
Master of Education - Reading
Northeastern State University
Broken Arrow, OK05.2019
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Northeastern State University
Tahlequah, OK05.2007
Associate of Arts - Elementary Education
Tulsa Community College
Tulsa, OK05.2005
Skills
- Curriculum Development
- Vertical and Horizontal Alignment
- Instructional Coaching
- Classical Pedagogical Practices
Accomplishments
- St. Francis of Assisi Teacher of the Year, (Fall 2024)
- One of two Keynote Speakers at the Diocesan Inservice, (Fall 2024)
Certification
- Catholic Educator Formation and Credential Program, (Winter 2025)
- Reading Specialist, PK-12, (July 2023)
- Early Childhood, PK-3, (September 2009)
- Elementary Education, 1-8, (September 2006)
Timeline
Dean of Curriculum and Instruction
Holy Family Classical School
06.2025 - Current
Learning Specialist
Holy Family Classical School
08.2024 - 06.2025
Fifth Grade Elementary Teacher
Holy Family Classical School
08.2022 - 05.2024
Private Literacy Tutor
06.2021 - 08.2022
Second and Third Grade Elementary Teacher
Briarglen Elementary
08.2008 - 05.2012
First Grade Elementary Teacher
McClure Elementary
08.2007 - 05.2008
Leasing Agent
South Port Apartments
05.2007 - 08.2007
Full Internship, Second Grade
All Saints Catholic School
01.2007 - 05.2007
Pre-Intern, Sixth Grade
Locust Grove Upper Elementary School
08.2006 - 11.2006
Leasing Agent
South Port Apartments
05.2006 - 10.2006
Pre-Intern, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth Grade
Locust Grove Upper Elementary School
10.2005 - 11.2005
Head Start Substitute
Cookson Hills Community Action Agency
09.2005 - 05.2006
Leasing Consultant
The Falls at Shadow Mountain
05.2005 - 08.2005
Leasing Agent
South Port Apartments
01.2005 - 05.2005
Sales Associate
01.2004 - 01.2005
Sunday School Teacher
Cookson Hills Community Action Agency
09.2001 - 05.2005
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Northeastern State University
Associate of Arts - Elementary Education
Tulsa Community College
Master of Education - Reading
Northeastern State University
Professional Exams
- Oklahoma Reading Specialist Test, 2023-07-01
- Oklahoma Subject Area Test-Early Childhood Education, 2009-09-01
- Oklahoma Professional Teaching Education, 2007-04-01
- Oklahoma Subject Area Test-Elementary Education, 2006-09-01
- Oklahoma General Education Test, 2005-06-01
Professional Achievements
- St. Francis of Assisi Teacher of the Year, 2024-09-01
- One of two Keynote Speakers at the Diocesan Inservice, 2024-09-01
- Graduated with distinction from ICLE, 2025-01-01
Awards
St. Francis of Assisi Teacher of the Year, (Fall 2024)