Sarah Leighow
Marysville,WA
Summary
Focused education professional with master's degree in teaching and experience with educational leadership and student development. Utilizes strategic planning to improve academic outcomes and support teacher growth. Knowledge of creating collaborative environment and building lasting relationships and partnering with others to meet objectives.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lower Elementary Principal
Northshore Christian Academy
06.2025 - 03.2026
- Led strategic initiatives to enhance student engagement and academic performance.
- Developed and implemented curriculum standards aligned with educational best practices.
- Fostered collaborative relationships with staff, parents, and community stakeholders to support school goals.
- Mentored and evaluated teachers to improve instructional quality and effectiveness.
- Conducted regular assessments of student progress to inform instructional adjustments and interventions.
- Strengthened teacher collaboration through the establishment of professional learning communities focused on student achievement.
- Promoted community partnerships to enhance educational experiences for students through guest speakers, field trips, and collaborative events.
- Trained teachers on effective teaching techniques, classroom management strategies, and behavior modification.
- Monitored student behavior and enforced discipline policies.
- Observed teachers, documented activities and implemented improvement plans to optimize classrooms.
- Studied assessment information covering students, teachers and school operations to formulate improvement plans.
Assistant Principal
Northshore Christian Academy
06.2024 - 06.2025
- Attend academic leadership meetings with principals and Head of School to collaborate on supporting divisional goals and objectives
- Communicate between principal and teachers in the K-2nd division
- Weekly principal meetings: review/plan day-to-day operations and support within the divisions
- Prepare and attend (lead when needed) weekly Thrive meetings
- Arrival and dismissal duties
- Admissions-Open House and family interviews
- Participate in interviews of hiring of K-2nd grade teachers
- Coordinate and attend K-2nd events
- School safety support, assist in chapels (with scheduling, leading worship, speaking, and leading chapels)
- Assist in coordinating and support (and lead when needed) divisional meetings
- K-2 low/med level student discipline
- Assist in developing master schedule
- Offer support, resources, and next steps in parent/teacher conferences
- Teacher mentoring-face to face meetings
- Supervision of common periods
- Participates in curriculum review board
- 1:1 student social/emotional support
- Collaborate with teachers on academic, classroom management, and discipline support
- Conduct K-2nd teacher evaluations,
- Work closely with the Thrive Director and teachers on student intervention
- Supervise development of teacher/parent newsletters
- Manage student behavior, academic, and attendance records
- Oversee student recognition program-Student of the Week
- Mentor new teacher growth and development
- K-2 field trip coordinator
- Support the NCA Care Coordinator with EA staff
- Collaborate with the NCA Elementary School Counselor regarding student support
- Build relationship and spiritual support for teachers on and off campus
- Lead Bible studies with grade level team members
- Build strong parent partnership and community through relationship
- Other duties as assigned by principal.
Team Lead/Teacher Mentor
Northshore Christian Academy
08.2020 - 06.2024
- Attend Grade Level lead meetings with principal
- Communicate between principal and teammates
- Weekly grade level meetings: review/share weekly lesson plans, lead grade level planning - create a curriculum map for the month with a clear scope and sequence based on the required curriculum and learning objectives
- Explain curriculum and NCA events
- Communicate and make team aware of upcoming dates/events and things that need to be done
- Check in regularly with teammates to see if they need anything or have any questions and be an approachable resource to ask questions
- Make decisions based on what is good for the team
- Uniting and boosting morale
- Other duties as assigned by principal.
- Builds relationships with new teachers for the purpose of establishing an environment of trust and collaboration and providing emotional support
- Pray with and for new teacher
- Coach and assist new teacher with teaching strategies, lesson planning, classroom management, and identification of curriculum resources for the purpose of improving instruction and helping the new teacher become effective
- Assist in setting up routines and classroom organization
- Provide advice as to interaction with students, parents, and other teachers
- Model professionalism at all times for the purpose of demonstrating expected behaviors and actions of master teachers
- Answer questions about procedures, rules, and general requirements
- Collaborate with new teacher on grade level and NCA events to provide help with planning and implementation
- Understand that teachers may be effective using a variety of styles and demonstrate collaboration and an interest in sharing of ideas
- Confirm and encourage the new teacher
- Help new teacher self-assess and reflect on their own practice
- Be available and maintain confidentiality.
Teacher
Northshore Christian Academy
08.2007 - 06.2024
- Prepare and execute lesson plans for the Kindergarten level (2016-2024)
- Daily communique with parents as well as weekly newsletters
- Assess learning progress through assessments and report cards
- Conduct parent/teacher conferences with each family
- Help collaborate and facilitate Kindergarten events including Kindergarten Graduation and Open House
- Facilitate our grade level LCC (Learner-Centered Collaborating) teacher meetings for 2017-2018 school year, team lead for first grade 2021-2022 school year and kindergarten 2022-2023-2023-2024 school years
- Mentor new teachers from 2020-present.
- Prepare and execute lesson plans for the pre-kindergarten level
- Daily communique with parents
- Assess learning progress through assessments and report cards
- Conduct parent/teacher conferences with each family
- Help coordinate and facilitate our Pre-Kindergarten events including directing our Christmas Program, facilitate our grade level LCC (Learner-Centered Collaborating) teacher meetings
- Part of the leadership team of our staff retreats.
Teacher
North Sound Christian Schools
02.2006 - 08.2007
- Prepared and executed lesson plans for the pre-kindergarten level.
- Organized and supervised summer program for the 2007 year.
- Experience in working with children ranging from the age of infancy to 6th grade in childcare situations.
Teacher
Palmetto Bay Christian Academy (Perrine Baptist Academy)
08.1999 - 05.2005
- Prepared and executed lesson plans for the K-4 to 6th grade levels.
- Implement creative activities to accompany the curriculum.
- Co-led the drama club.
- Assisted in preparation of all school plays.
- Led a signing club for the older students.
- Taught Kindergarten- 1st grade music.
Administrative Assistant
Christ Fellowship Church (First Baptist Church of Perrine)
05.1999 - 08.1999
- Assistant to the Children’s Ministry Director.
- Assisted in preparation and implementing Vacation Bible School (VBS) for over 400 students.
- Organized all teacher information and materials needed for weekly children’s worship.
- Answered phone calls and typed letters/emails.
- Created brochures for upcoming events.
- Also aided in preparation for Women’s Ministry events.
Childcare Giver
Macrae-Morrow Preschool
08.1995 - 05.1999
- Taught ages ranging from infancy to 4-year-old programs.
- Changed diapers, prepared snacks, and cleaned toys.
- Organized play/learning activities.
- Created nurturing environments for the infants to 4-year-olds.
Education
Master's Degree in Teaching -
City University of Seattle
01-2021
Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education - Christian Education
Baptist College of Florida (Florida Baptist Theological College)
01-1999
High School Diploma - undefined
Braddock Sr. High
01-1993
Skills
- Instructional leadership/ Data driven instruction/ Lesson planning/ Curriculum review, implementation, and evaluation/ Student achievement
- Community engagement/ School culture
- Parent engagement and communication/ Relationship building and networking
- School improvement/ Program evaluation
- Discipline management/ Restorative practices/ Student relations
- Verbal and written communication
- Faculty support: Training and mentoring/ Staff development/ Team building and collaboration/ Staff assessment
- Policy and procedure development and implementation
- Master class schedule
- Classroom management/ Positive learning environment
- Group facilitation and presentations/ Public speaking
- Compassion and empathy
- Confidence and determination
Accomplishments
- One of the first recipients of teacher "All In" award given to teachers that exemplify the school mission and pursue excellence in the art of teaching.
- Snohomish County Educator of the Month- parent voted and given by Rick Merrill Law Offices, Fox Sports, January 2015
Certification
- Principal Certification, ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International)- 2025
- MTSS Certification (Multi Tiered Support System-Character Strong)-2025
- Washington State Teacher Certification, OSPI (Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction)- 2023
Timeline
Lower Elementary Principal
Northshore Christian Academy
06.2025 - 03.2026
Assistant Principal
Northshore Christian Academy
06.2024 - 06.2025
Team Lead/Teacher Mentor
Northshore Christian Academy
08.2020 - 06.2024
Teacher
Northshore Christian Academy
08.2007 - 06.2024
Teacher
North Sound Christian Schools
02.2006 - 08.2007
Teacher
Palmetto Bay Christian Academy (Perrine Baptist Academy)
08.1999 - 05.2005
Administrative Assistant
Christ Fellowship Church (First Baptist Church of Perrine)
05.1999 - 08.1999
Childcare Giver
Macrae-Morrow Preschool
08.1995 - 05.1999
Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education - Christian Education
Baptist College of Florida (Florida Baptist Theological College)
High School Diploma - undefined
Braddock Sr. High
Master's Degree in Teaching -
City University of Seattle
Professional Experience and Enrichment
- NCA Educator Excellence Award-All In Award, Northshore Christian Academy | 2022-2023
- Snohomish County Educator of the Month, Rick Merrill Law Offices, Fox Sports | January 2015
- Attender, Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Conference | October 2019; October 2011-2012
- Workshop Leader, Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Conference | February 2007
- 10 Hours Annual Training, STARS/MERIT | 2006-2015
- 20 Hours Basic Training, STARS/MERIT | May 2006
- CPR Certified, Washington State | June 2007-Present,
- 20 Hours Basic Training, STARS/MERIT | May 2006
- Attender, Florida Association of Christian Schools and Colleges (FACCS) Conference | October 1999-2003
- Workshop Leader, FLorida Association of Christian Schools and Colleges (FACCS) Conference | October 2000
- Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM) Student Director, Baptist College of Florida (Florida Baptist Theological College) | Fall 1998/Spring 1999
- Youth Intern, Christ Fellowship Church (First Baptist Church of Perrine) | Summer 1993