Sara Paolini
4 Bonnybrook Trail Norwalk,CT
Summary
Dynamic educational leader with extensive experience at Davenport Ridge Elementary School, excelling in instructional leadership and restorative practices. Proven track record in enhancing student outcomes through targeted professional development and compassionate support. Adept at multitasking and fostering a positive school climate, driving school improvement initiatives, and leading special education teams effectively.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Principal
Hart Magnet Elementary School
08.2021 - Current
- Partner with building principal in all aspects of school responsibilities such as supervision, evaluations, climate, school improvement plan, and schoolwide data
- Participate in recruitment, hiring and selecting school staff/personnel
- Lead the special education team in PPT meetings, facilitate all parent meetings and student case studies and support in identifying students for special education and the development of all IEP's
- Promote a positive school climate that is student centered and data driven by maintaining high visibility and daily interactions with students, staff and community
- Work collaboratively with district principals and assistant principals during monthly leadership meetings and bi-weekly participating in leadership data walks looking at instructional strategies
- Oversee daily operations including master scheduling, facility management, and safety of all staff and students
- Monitor attendance and facilitate meetings for families struggling with chronic absenteeism
- Support and develop instructional strategies aligning with district and school goals to provide feedback and support for all teachers
- Supported a positive school culture by addressing student behavior concerns promptly and effectively.
- Analyzed standardized test results to identify areas of improvement in instruction methods and curriculum content.
- Evaluated teacher performance against established benchmarks, providing actionable feedback for improvement purposes.
Administrative Intern/Teacher Leader for Student Support
Davenport Ridge Elementary School
08.2017 - 06.2021
- Participate in PPT/504 meetings, review IEP's with SPED team, and develop relationships with families of SPED students
- Implement and participate in the development of the Strategic School Improvement Plan
- Develop and facilitate professional development learning for all staff members
- Manage ESH grant, Title 1 grant and Alliance grant
- Coordinator for all SBAC and NGSS testing; create schedules, work in TIDE to update students and all accommodations
- Plan and train staff in social emotional learning through RULER
- Plan and lead Focus Walks looking at schoolwide instruction with a focus on rigor of small groups, differentiation and sheltered instruction
- Partner with Literacy How to help teachers develop personalized learning for students using data to create instructional focuses for small group, and providing a scope and sequence for literacy support over a 3-year span
Cooperating Teacher
Stamford Public Schools
01.2016 - 06.2016
- Mentor for Anne E Fowler Reading and Language Development Fellowship at Fairfield University
- Meeting with and observing AEF fellow to plan and review weekly lesson and providing feedback
- Planning 5 formal observations with AEF fellow and providing constructive feedback for Tier 2 and 3 instruction
TEAM Mentor
Stamford Public Schools
08.2014 - 08.2016
- Guide beginning teachers and student teachers through developing individual growth plans uniquely based on their needs as educator
Instructional Support Teacher
Davenport Ridge Elementary School
08.2013 - 06.2017
- Plan and deliver targeted standards based small group instruction
- Provide individualized and group coaching on strategies for colleagues, to devise and maintain support for students
- Plan and utilize instructional methods, resources and evaluation techniques which motivate and enable students achieve high academic goals
- Plan and present Professional Developments schoolwide to support teachers with new literacy initiatives; provide training for all literacy assessments
Summer School Teacher
Stamford Public Schools
06.2007 - 06.2008
- Implementation of curriculum for students in the summer who are performing below academic standards during the school year
Classroom Teacher
Davenport Ridge Elementary School
08.2005 - 06.2013
- Taught primary and intermediate grades in an all-inclusive classroom where positive relationships and high expectations were promoted
- Grade level leader 2011-2013
- Reader's and Writer's Workshop Curriculum Writing Committee for the Stamford Public Schools 2010-2013
- Model classroom for Reading and Writing Workshop model 2010-2011
Education
092 Intermediate Supervision and Administration -
University of Bridgeport
Bridgeport, CT05.2013
Master in Education -
Sacred Heart University
Fairfield CT05.2005
B.A. - Communication
Manhattan College
The Bronx, NY05.2002
Certification
- District Attendance Team, Climate Committee
- SERC IEP Quality Training (2023-24)
- SERC ED Benefit Training (2025)
- Conflict Prevention and Resolution through IEP Meeting Facilitation (2019-20)
- The Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence Inaugural Conference for Connecticut Schools (2018)
- RULER at Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence (2018)
- HILL for Literacy- AD coaches meeting once a month to bring knowledge and trainings back to the school to promote viable learning activities for grades K-3 (2015-18)
- Modules 1-8 of Best Instructional Practices for English Learners (2016-17)
- Orton Gillingham Certification (2015)
- Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) training at CES (2011-13)
Timeline
Assistant Principal
Hart Magnet Elementary School
08.2021 - Current
Administrative Intern/Teacher Leader for Student Support
Davenport Ridge Elementary School
08.2017 - 06.2021
Cooperating Teacher
Stamford Public Schools
01.2016 - 06.2016
TEAM Mentor
Stamford Public Schools
08.2014 - 08.2016
Instructional Support Teacher
Davenport Ridge Elementary School
08.2013 - 06.2017
Summer School Teacher
Stamford Public Schools
06.2007 - 06.2008
Classroom Teacher
Davenport Ridge Elementary School
08.2005 - 06.2013
- District Attendance Team, Climate Committee
- SERC IEP Quality Training (2023-24)
- SERC ED Benefit Training (2025)
- Conflict Prevention and Resolution through IEP Meeting Facilitation (2019-20)
- The Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence Inaugural Conference for Connecticut Schools (2018)
- RULER at Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence (2018)
- HILL for Literacy- AD coaches meeting once a month to bring knowledge and trainings back to the school to promote viable learning activities for grades K-3 (2015-18)
- Modules 1-8 of Best Instructional Practices for English Learners (2016-17)
- Orton Gillingham Certification (2015)
- Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) training at CES (2011-13)
092 Intermediate Supervision and Administration -
University of Bridgeport
Master in Education -
Sacred Heart University
B.A. - Communication
Manhattan College
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