Richard Torres Jr.
Educational Leader
St. Paul,MN
Summary
Dedicated and results-oriented educational leader with a proven track record of fostering inclusive, high-achieving, and student-centered learning environments. Committed to instructional excellence, staff development, strategic school improvement, and equity-focused leadership. Expertise in restorative justice, behavior intervention, and community engagement. Proficient in leveraging multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), positive behavior interventions (PBIS), and data-driven decision-making to drive academic achievement, school culture transformation, and student success. A dynamic leader with a passion for building collaborative teams, strengthening educator capacity, and implementing innovative curricula. Skilled in hiring and mentoring educators, leading school-wide instructional initiatives, and ensuring compliance with state and district standards.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Assistant Principal
Pinewood Community School
Eagan, Minnesota
07.2024 - Current
- Provide ongoing teacher coaching, curriculum support, and professional development focused on evidence-based instructional practices, student engagement strategies, and differentiated instruction to drive academic achievement
- Led the successful adoption of four new curricula in core content areas, ensuring seamless integration into lesson planning, aligning with state standards, and providing staff training to maximize instructional effectiveness
- Analyzed standardized test results to identify areas of improvement in instruction methods and curriculum content.
- Enhanced teacher effectiveness through regular classroom observations and feedback sessions.
- Mentored new teachers in navigating their roles within the school system effectively.
- Play a pivotal role in recruiting, interviewing, and selecting high-quality educators, ensuring new hires align with the school’s mission, instructional vision, and commitment to equity and student success
- Oversee the administration and compliance of all state and district-mandated assessments, ensuring accurate data collection, staff training, and the effective use of results to inform instruction and intervention strategies
- Strengthen school-home partnerships by leading parent workshops, improving communication strategies, and fostering collaboration with community organizations to provide additional student resources and enrichment opportunities
- Assist in master scheduling, emergency preparedness planning, and building security to ensure a safe, organized, and efficient learning environment
- Partnered with principal to administer school program in alignment with vision and goals, providing positive, high-expectation academic environment.
- Assisted with compliance efforts for fire, bus evacuation, and other safety regulations.
- Collaborated with the PTO to address parent concerns and foster a supportive community for student success.
DEAN OF STUDENTS
Lincoln Elementary
Faribault, Minnesota
07.2023 - 06.2024
- Designed and implemented a school-wide behavior intervention framework, reducing behavioral referrals by 48% through staff training, student accountability programs, and proactive interventions
- Introduced and embedded Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), leading to improved student behavior, increased instructional time, and a more positive school culture
- Analyzed student behavioral, attendance, and academic data to drive intervention strategies, ensuring equity in access to support services for struggling students
- Conducted ongoing teacher training sessions on de-escalation strategies, culturally responsive teaching, and trauma-informed behavior interventions
- Developed parent involvement initiatives that increased family engagement in school decision-making, student progress monitoring, and school events
- Met with teachers to establish goals for students in intervention program.
- Led workshops on positive behavior support techniques for school staff, increasing their capacity to manage disruptive behaviors effectively.
HIGH SCHOOL DEAN OF STUDENTS
Community of Peace Academy
Saint Paul, Minnesota
07.2022 - 06.2023
- Developed tiered behavior intervention plans, supporting students through personalized strategies and alternative disciplinary actions
- Implemented a restorative justice framework that reduced suspension rates by 64%, emphasizing conflict resolution, mediation, and student accountability
- Provided staff mentorship and training, ensuring teachers had effective classroom management strategies aligned with trauma-informed and restorative justice principles
- Partnered with school social workers, counselors, and administrators to provide wraparound services for students facing behavioral, social-emotional, and academic challenges
- Collected and analyzed behavioral and disciplinary data, using insights to refine school policies and intervention frameworks
- Monitored and assessed results of postsecondary programs and services to identify and capitalize on potential improvements.
- Coordinated outreach events to bring in parents, family members and community at large to support students.
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE COORDINATOR & REACH COORDINATOR
Red Wing High School
Red Wing, Minnesota
06.2018 - 12.2020
- Led a transformational behavioral shift at Red Wing High School, developing and implementing a comprehensive restorative justice framework that significantly reduced student disciplinary incidents by 17% and improved overall school climate
- Developed and facilitated school-wide restorative justice circles, mediating conflicts and promoting a culture of accountability, conflict resolution, and student empowerment, shifting from punitive discipline models to relationship-building interventions
- Designed and managed the REACH program, a voluntary in-school initiative providing targeted support for students facing academic, social, and emotional challenges, ensuring they received the necessary resources and mentorship to overcome barriers to success
- Established and led social-emotional programming that equipped students with critical life skills, including emotional regulation, self-advocacy, resilience, and decision-making strategies to support their long-term success
- Recruited, hired, and supervised a dedicated REACH team, including a licensed teacher and a school social worker, ensuring students had direct access to specialized supports tailored to their needs
- Forged key partnerships with community organizations, businesses, and mental health professionals, expanding opportunities for students by connecting them to career exploration programs, mental health resources, and mentorship initiatives
- Provided direct behavioral interventions and academic coaching, supporting students in goal setting, attendance improvement, and academic engagement, resulting in increased student retention and overall well-being
- Trained staff and teachers in restorative justice practices, equipping them with strategies to address student conflicts, manage classroom behavior, and foster a supportive school environment centered on growth and personal development
MENTAL HEALTH TEAM MEMBER
Goodhue County Education District
Red Wing, Minnesota
07.2017 - 06.2018
- Served as a Behavioral Intervention Specialist in a Setting 4 K-12 special education school, supporting students with significant behavioral, emotional, and developmental needs through structured intervention plans and individualized behavior supports
- Provided intensive student redirection and de-escalation services, utilizing trauma-informed and crisis intervention strategies to ensure a safe, structured learning environment for students with complex needs
- Assisted in the development and implementation of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) in collaboration with special education teachers, social workers, and support staff, ensuring interventions were aligned with student needs and legal compliance
- Worked directly with students experiencing emotional and behavioral crises, providing real-time interventions and crisis management strategies to support self-regulation, decision-making, and reintegration into the learning environment
- Led small group and one-on-one social-emotional learning (SEL) sessions, teaching students essential coping mechanisms, conflict resolution techniques, and social skills development tailored to their individualized needs
- Partnered with multidisciplinary teams, including school psychologists, occupational therapists, and mental health professionals, to ensure wraparound support services for students and families
- Maintained detailed student behavior data and progress reports, using quantitative and qualitative assessments to track improvements in self-regulation, social interactions, and academic engagement
Education
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) - K-12 Principal Licensure
Concordia University
Saint Paul, MN 05.2023 - 06.2024
Master of Arts - Educational Leadership
Concordia University
Saint Paul, MN 03.2021 - 03.2024
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Brevard College
Brevard, NC 08.2011 - 05.2015
Skills
Strategic Planning
Instructional leadership
Financial Administration
Staff Management
Student Behavior Redirection
Evaluation & Assessment
Policy Development & Implementation
Conflict Resolution
Collaborative Team Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Data-Driven Decision-Making
Timeline
Assistant Principal
Pinewood Community School
07.2024 - Current
DEAN OF STUDENTS
Lincoln Elementary
07.2023 - 06.2024
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) - K-12 Principal Licensure
Concordia University
05.2023 - 06.2024
HIGH SCHOOL DEAN OF STUDENTS
Community of Peace Academy
07.2022 - 06.2023
Master of Arts - Educational Leadership
Concordia University
03.2021 - 03.2024
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE COORDINATOR & REACH COORDINATOR
Red Wing High School
06.2018 - 12.2020
MENTAL HEALTH TEAM MEMBER
Goodhue County Education District
07.2017 - 06.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Brevard College
08.2011 - 05.2015
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