Sam Wyss
Cañon City,CO
Summary
Driven administrator working to provide holistic child education, focusing on academic success and social-emotional growth. Prioritizes healthy students, staff, and families through authentic, trusting relationships. Empowers students and staff through a servant-leadership model. Takes the necessary steps for continued improvement via data dives and high levels of curiosity. Proud husband, father, son, and brother.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Principal
Canon City School District / Harrison School
Cañon City
06.2023 - Current
- Pioneered the "Buildership Team" Initiative: Spearheaded a collaborative school-identity model, inviting all staff to engage in deep-dive data analysis—including academic performance, attendance, discipline trends, and YouthTruth survey results. This collective inquiry into "What are we building at Harrison?" led to the implementation of a school-wide "Club Model," increasing students sense of belonging, purpose, and identity while at school.
- Orchestrated a K-8 House Team System: Unified a diverse K-8 building by designing a House model that improved school spirit and cohesion. This initiative successfully increased Friday attendance rates, boosted positive parent communication, and provided a platform for student leadership while embedding district-wide traits and skills into the daily student experience.
- Facilitate weekly Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) for 6th–8th grade teams, utilizing data-informed strategies to refine pedagogical practices and ensure alignment with state standards.
- Collaborate directly with district administration to translate high-level strategic goals into actionable school-site initiatives, ensuring Harrison School's growth remains aligned with district-wide benchmarks.
- Conduct rigorous teacher evaluations and formal observations, providing targeted, constructive feedback that empowers educators to enhance instructional delivery and classroom management.
- Resolve complex student behavioral challenges through restorative practices and strategic intervention, maintaining a safe, inclusive, and joy-filled learning environment for all students.
7th & 8th Grade English Language Arts and Social Studies Teacher
Canon City School District / Canon Exploratory School (C.E.S.)
Cañon City
08.2020 - 05.2023
- Authored and delivered an academically rigorous and age-appropriate curriculum promoting the synthesis of content area and community.
- Increased district writing scores by 21%.
- Developed strong readers with an average growth rate of two years ahead of grade-level expectations.
- Co-created data teams with students to increase student-led ownership and interest in learning.
5th Grade Teacher
St. George’s School (S.G.S.)
Spokane, WA
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Created a personal curriculum approximately two grades ahead, based on state standards and community values.
- Mentored and created an after-school math program to prepare students for a state-wide competition.
- Coached young men in their first-ever basketball season.
- Created a "Genius Hour" curriculum focused on student passions, methods for implementing action, calendar planning, and candid personal reflection.
5th Grade Teacher
Denver Public Schools / Colfax Elementary
Denver
08.2015 - 01.2018
- Taught in a self-contained classroom for all academic subjects.
- Emphasized the importance of a strong working relationship between teacher and family by completing routine home visits.
Education
Principal Preparation Certificate - Principal Preparation
American College of Education
Indianapolis, IN05-2017
Master of Arts - Curriculum & Instruction: Critical Pedagogy
University of Colorado: Denver
Denver, CO05-2017
Bachelor of Arts - Philosophy
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA05-2015
Skills
- Instructional leadership
- Parent engagement and communication
- Student achievement
- Data-driven instruction
- Restorative practices
- School improvement
Certification
- PRAXIS - Eng. Lang. Art - 5038
- PRAXIS - Social Studies - 5081
- PRAXIS - Elementary Ed. - 5018
- PRAXIS - Ed. Leadership - 5412
- AVID Summer Institute
- CDE-Approved English Learner
- No-Nonsense Nurturer (NNN)
- Restorative Justice
- Where Everybody Belongs (WEB)
Timeline
Assistant Principal
Canon City School District / Harrison School
06.2023 - Current
7th & 8th Grade English Language Arts and Social Studies Teacher
Canon City School District / Canon Exploratory School (C.E.S.)
08.2020 - 05.2023
5th Grade Teacher
St. George’s School (S.G.S.)
01.2018 - 01.2020
5th Grade Teacher
Denver Public Schools / Colfax Elementary
08.2015 - 01.2018
Principal Preparation Certificate - Principal Preparation
American College of Education
Master of Arts - Curriculum & Instruction: Critical Pedagogy
University of Colorado: Denver
Bachelor of Arts - Philosophy
Gonzaga University