Ronda Arking
Baltimore,MD
Summary
Education professional with over two decades of expertise in curriculum development, instructional design, and education technology implementation. Throughout my career, I have led initiatives that use cutting-edge technology and the latest educational research to boost academic achievement for millions for K–12 students. I am adept at using data to drive improvements in student outcomes and staff administration and delivery of programs. I enjoy working collaboratively with my teams to build innovative products that nurture students’ skills and curiosity.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Director, Language Arts Programs
Sylvan Learning
07.2023 - Current
- Team Lead for development of new Content Management System (CMS) and new Learning Management System (LMS) to replace Sylvan’s proprietary system, which supports ~150,000 students/year
- Leverage new technology and latest educational research to retool instructional design and update content
- Help build technology requirements and user-test each iteration of development
- Analyze data to assess student achievement and teacher implementation of educational programs
- Use data to improve programs and create ongoing professional development and teacher/director trainings
- Design and deliver professional development webinars on topics related to Sylvan programs and education in general (i.e., science of reading, best practices in writing instruction, teaching students with specific learning needs). Reach an audience of ~250/month
- Developed, pilot tested, and implemented two additional academic programs for Sylvan’s proprietary adaptive-learning LMS: Early Literacy (levels PreK–2, including interactive game content and instructional videos) and Writing (levels 2–12)
- Hired and managed teams of curriculum writers and editors
- Regularly publish educational articles and videos for Sylvan franchisees, directors, and customers
- During covid-19 pandemic, adapted educational content and delivery guidelines for fully remote instruction, with no disruption in student achievement
- Migrated paper-based school-contracts program to a fully digital platform
- Present deep-dive into Sylvan’s educational programs and products to potential franchisees at monthly Discovery Days
- Revamped Sylvan’s school-based Reading curriculum (Ace it!) to incorporate science of reading principles and align to current English Language Arts standards
- Participate as an active member of Sylvan’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion workgroup. Projects include modifying and clarifying HR policies, developing employee mentoring programs, and partnering with a local nonprofit organization to offer free tutoring to students in Baltimore City
Director, Language Arts Programs
Sylvan Learning
07.2013 - 06.2023
- Team Lead for development of new Content Management System (CMS) and new Learning Management System (LMS) to replace Sylvan’s proprietary system, which supports ~150,000 students/year
- Leverage new technology and latest educational research to retool instructional design and update content
- Help build technology requirements and user-test each iteration of development
- Analyze data to assess student achievement and teacher implementation of educational programs
- Use data to improve programs and create ongoing professional development and teacher/director trainings
- Design and deliver professional development webinars on topics related to Sylvan programs and education in general (i.e., science of reading, best practices in writing instruction, teaching students with specific learning needs)
- Reach an audience of ~250/month
- Developed, pilot tested, and implemented two additional academic programs for Sylvan’s proprietary adaptive-learning LMS: Early Literacy (levels PreK–2, including interactive game content and instructional videos) and Writing (levels 2–12)
- Hired and managed teams of curriculum writers and editors
- Regularly publish educational articles and videos for Sylvan franchisees, directors, and customers
- During covid-19 pandemic, adapted educational content and delivery guidelines for fully remote instruction, with no disruption in student achievement
- Migrated paper-based school-contracts program to a fully digital platform
- Presented deep-dive into Sylvan’s educational programs and products to potential franchisees at monthly Discovery Days
- Revamped Sylvan’s school-based Reading curriculum (Ace it!) to incorporate science of reading principles and align to current English Language Arts standards
- Participate as an active member of Sylvan’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion workgroup
- Helped revamp HR policies, develop employee mentoring programs, and partner with a local nonprofit organization to offer free tutoring to students in Baltimore City.
Program Manager
Sylvan Learning
04.2010 - 06.2013
covidcovidPreKPreK
- Built research-based, standards-aligned Reading curriculum for K–12 using custom CMS
- Hired and managed team of curriculum writers and editors
- Worked with Technology team to define requirements, build, and implement Sylvan’s adaptive-learning platform (SylvanSync)
- Piloted, tested, and integrated Language Arts content with third-party computer adaptive assessments (Renaissance Learning).
Freelance Writer, Content Editor, Curriculum Developer, Copyeditor
09.2000 - 04.2010
- Developed and content edited student and teacher educational materials, including textbooks, home-schooling programs, and interactive online content in English Language Arts, Art History, Social Studies, Health, and Business/Economics for major educational publishers and developers
- Clients included Harcourt, Houghton-Mifflin, McGraw-Hill, McDougal Littell, Connections Academy, and Sylvan Learning
- Wrote test-prep and assessment materials for online and print Social Studies and Language Arts programs.
Editor
University Press of Maryland
College Park, MD
12.2000 - 07.2002
- Content edited and copyedited all academic books and articles published by the Press.
Senior Project Manager/Senior Editor
Monotype Editorial Services
Baltimore, MD
04.2000 - 09.2000
- Managed an in-house staff of nine employees; hired, trained, and supervised freelance staff
- Coordinated the production of Internet-based educational materials from manuscript to web-ready files
- Managed the production of 4-color educational books from manuscript to bound book
- Developed and edited manuscripts in Language Arts, Reading, Social Studies, Math, Science, and Economics
- Created and maintained tight production schedules
- Coordinated art programs for projects.
Project Manager/Editor
Monotype Editorial Services
Baltimore, MD
02.1998 - 03.2000
- Managed the production of 4-color educational books from manuscript to bound book
- Hired and supervised freelance copyeditors, proofreaders, and indexers
- Created and maintained tight production schedules.
Production Editor
SylvanSyncRoutledge, Inc.
New York, NY
03.1996 - 03.1997
- Managed the production of 30+ academic and trade books from manuscript to bound book
- Served as art director for cover designs and page layouts
- Created and oversaw schedules and budgets for each project
- Hired and supervised freelance copyeditors, proofreaders, and designers.
Assistant Editing Supervisor
McGraw-Hill Companies
New York, NY
06.1994 - 03.1996
- Supervised the editorial production of four college textbooks
- Assisted 11 Editing Supervisors in the production of 75+ titles per year.
Education
Master of Arts - Biblical and Near Eastern Civilizations
Towson University
05.2008
Bachelor of Arts - English
Barnard College, Columbia University
05.1994
Skills
- Assessments
- Asynchronous/Synchronous Learning
- Communication
- Curriculum Development
- Data Analysis
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advocacy
- Google Suite
- Instructional Design
- Leadership
- Learning Management Systems
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Pedagogy/Teaching Methodologies
- Professional Development and training
- Project Management
- Quality Assurance
- Team Collaboration
- Writing and Editing
Other Experience
Member, P.O.E. (Potential of Edtech)
- Attended professional development events, meet with Edtech entrepreneurs to provide feedback on their products and business models
- Served as panelist at P.O.E. event: “Edtech for the Littlest Learners”
Completed Emerging Leaders Workshop, The Dr. Nancy Grasmick Leadership Institute, 2023
Editor, Conversations
- Edit thrice-yearly journal for non-profit organization that promotes a wide range of viewpoints
Volunteer Editor, JOFA
Timeline
Senior Director, Language Arts Programs
Sylvan Learning
07.2023 - Current
Director, Language Arts Programs
Sylvan Learning
07.2013 - 06.2023
Program Manager
Sylvan Learning
04.2010 - 06.2013
Editor
University Press of Maryland
12.2000 - 07.2002
Freelance Writer, Content Editor, Curriculum Developer, Copyeditor
09.2000 - 04.2010
Senior Project Manager/Senior Editor
Monotype Editorial Services
04.2000 - 09.2000
Project Manager/Editor
Monotype Editorial Services
02.1998 - 03.2000
Production Editor
SylvanSyncRoutledge, Inc.
03.1996 - 03.1997
Assistant Editing Supervisor
McGraw-Hill Companies
06.1994 - 03.1996
Master of Arts - Biblical and Near Eastern Civilizations
Towson University
Bachelor of Arts - English
Barnard College, Columbia University
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