Sharifa Siti Bolton
Antioch,United States
Summary
Current school principal of San Lorenzo Unified School District, a role that I have held for 2 school years. I have a Masters of Education degree in Educational Leadership and a California Education Administrators Credential, and I am currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education. I have over 25 years of experience in teaching, educational leadership, and administration, with a focus on equity, anti-bias, and culturally responsive practices. My mission is to create respectful, firm, equitable, and data-driven instructional spaces that support the academic and social-emotional development of all students and families, regardless of their identity or background. I am passionate about partnering with families and the community to provide relevant learning opportunities for students, both inside and outside the classroom, that help them develop the self-confidence, awareness, knowledge, critical thinking skills, and character necessary to succeed in a technologically advanced world. I am unapologetic about my passion for equity-based education, and I strive to be a educational leader who facilitates the preparation of all students to become fighters to meet future challenges.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
School Equity Driven Principal
San Lorenzo Unified School District
07.2022 - Current
- Equity, anti-biased, driven educational leader
- Led equitable, anti-racist and anti-bias training and professional development for staff to impact mindset and practices for the best interest of all children and programs
- Observation, evaluation, and coaching of credentialed and classified staff
- Supervised administrative staff responsible for student records, health services, transportation, and food services
- Oversaw compliance with state and federal laws related to education programs, student rights, and safety regulations
- Facilitated communication between teachers, administrators, families, and other stakeholders in order to promote collaboration among all participants in the educational process
- Organized regular meetings with faculty members to discuss issues related to instruction, assessment strategies, and classroom management techniques
- Guided instruction by mentoring teachers to improve leadership and teaching effectiveness
- Reviewed test scores from standardized tests administered at different grade levels in order to track academic progress over time
- Created an environment where all students feel valued regardless of their background or cultural identity
- Monitored student academic performance data in order to identify trends or areas of need that require additional resources or support
- Managed budgeting process for school operations, including personnel hiring, supplies procurement, and facility improvements.
Founder & CEO
True Options Educational Services
01.2013 - Current
- True Options Educational Services is dedicated to enhancing education for individuals, families, and educators through a range of services
- For families and students, we offer personalized tutoring, cultural competency classes, academic camps, advocacy training, college planning, and after-school programs
- Educators and schools benefit from coaching, equity training, restorative practices, data-driven instruction, and health optimization workshops
- We also provide support for transitioning from incarceration to freedom, including GED attainment, life skills training, and mindset coaching.
Assistant Principal
Sunnyvale Middle School
07.2021 - 07.2022
- Served as Assistant Principal, demonstrating passion and teamwork
- Managed a large school with over 1,000 diverse students and 100 staff members
- Directly supervised 350 7th grade students and teachers
- Oversaw various responsibilities including IEP leadership, testing, and facilities supervision
- Acted as an instructional leader, conducting evaluations and coaching teachers
- Managed school safety, student discipline, and implemented restorative justice practices
- Conducted regular meetings with parents and maintained accurate student records
- Evaluated teacher performance and monitored student behavior in compliance with regulations
- Demonstrated strong skills in parent communication, staff management, and conflict resolution.
Educator -for the Incarcerated
CA Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation
07.2016 - 06.2021
- Taught incarcerated adult males at various academic levels, focusing on GED preparation and high school diploma completion
- Highest GED/HS diploma passage rate of students
- Facilitated restorative conversations to foster a positive mindset and reduce recidivism
- Conducted individual, small-group, and whole-class instruction, utilizing data to inform teaching methods
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary treatment teams as needed
- Managed a challenging classroom environment, maintaining a positive culture
- Solely supervised student conduct, productivity, and safety
- Handled data input, transcript evaluation, grading, attendance, and prison safety compliance.
Administrative School Principal Designee/Substitute
Twin Rivers Unified School District
01.2016 - 07.2016
- In the absence of the school principal or assistant principal, I was available and qualified to lead the school, supervise school personnel and students
- Took on the duties of the administrator- parent and IEP meetings, communicating with staff, families, and community, ensuring school safety and maintaining the school's daily goals.
Assistant Principal
Oakland Unified School District
07.2011 - 06.2013
- Served as a school leader at an urban middle school under the State Improvement Grant (SIG)
- Co-led the school's Instructional Transformation Team, and have taken on the role of school culture and climate leader
- Collaborated closely with the school Principal as co-administrators, focused on changing the school culture and enhancing student achievement through intentional professional development for staff
- Consistently utilized data to set goals and drive instructional practices across the school, efforts resulting in the creation of more effective, equitable, restorative, creative, and college readiness opportunities for urban students
- Experience in hiring, managing, supervising, and evaluating both certified and classified staff members
- Emphasized building a cohesive team through mutual respect, communication, and relevant professional development, and consistently strive to exceed expectations in achieving positive outcomes for the school community.
Principal/Summer School
Oakland Unified School District
06.2012 - 08.2012
- Principal for transformational summer school program
- Instructional and culture/climate school leader
- Designed summer program for incoming 6th-8th graders
- Intentional recruiting and hiring of dynamic team-oriented teachers
- The summer program focused on data from diagnostics and intense school culture 'boot camp' that combined academics, culture, high expectations, and joy
- Offering students a summer bridge program for the new school year
- Worked with staff on professional development, goal setting, and building strong instructional strategies
- As a result of the summer program, students began the fall school year with a clear understanding around school academic and behavioral expectations
- Staff members and students built a 'team-oriented' outlook
- Common language, structures, and procedures were implemented, creating a smoother transition into the new school year.
Lead Teacher
St. HOPE
01.2011 - 07.2011
- Lead English/History teacher
- Strong instructor and classroom climate builder
- English Department and team lead
- Played an integral role in developing grade team, school procedures, and building a positive consistent school climate through
- Led and trained new teachers and created a unified approach to academic and cultural development for the start of the new year.
Teacher Leader
KIPP Oakland
07.2008 - 12.2010
- Lead middle school English teacher
- Strong instructor and classroom climate builder
- I was able to raise scholar achievement to as much as 85% proficient and advanced on state test for the 3 years I was with KIPP
- One year, scoring the highest in the school and the region
- Relentless in creating effective and equitable opportunities for my scholars
- I was a new teacher coach, Test Coordinator, and Team Leader
- Was skilled with working with middle school students in researching their choices and the application to high schools process
- Was selected and participated in the Principal Prep Program in New York-which included intense training on starting a new school or taking over leadership, and included several school visits across the country.
Teacher
Alief ISD
01.2006 - 01.2007
- Teacher working with urban Houston scholars
- Team player, able to learn new curriculum and state standards in Texas
- Positive and strong climate builder, strong instruction, and building relationships with students and families.
Academic Program Coordinator (Elementary School Administrator of School Programs)
Elk Grove Unified School District
08.2004 - 07.2005
- Served as an administrator on campus, working primarily with the extended day program, as well as the on-campus preschool program in which California credentialed teachers were instructors
- Led 6-7 extended day credentialed teachers in the afternoon, responsible for professional development, navigating working with teachers who taught during the day and those in the extended day program, creating a seamless and unique academic program for scholars-enabling them to increase their interest in school, and receive individualized academic assistance from credentialed teachers
- Served as the campus administrator for scholars until the evening when they were released
- Worked great with families and staff members.
Teacher Leader
Twin Rivers School District (Formally Del Paso Unified School District)
07.2000 - 07.2004
- Served as a teacher at the most challenging school in the district
- Expert at building relationships with scholars and their families
- Raised scholars' academic levels and state test scores
- Lead teacher, teacher in charge in the absence of the principal
- Created and led an extended day program on-site offering opportunities for scholars to raise grades and increase extracurricular opportunities that were credited to students showing dramatic academic growth.
Education
In Progress-Doctor of Education - EdD - Educational Leadership
American College of Education
Bachelor of Arts degree - Black Studies
San Francisco State University
Credential - Elementary Education and Teaching
University of California, Davis
Masters of Arts degree - Educational Leadership and Administration, General
California State University-Sacramento
Skills
- Equity Focused
- Employee Training
- Communication Skills
- Team builder of all stakeholders
- Management/Leadership
- Cultural Competency
- Observations/Evaluations
- Professional Development/Coaching
- Elementary, Middle school and Adult school experience
- Student centered
Timeline
School Equity Driven Principal
San Lorenzo Unified School District
07.2022 - Current
Assistant Principal
Sunnyvale Middle School
07.2021 - 07.2022
Educator -for the Incarcerated
CA Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation
07.2016 - 06.2021
Administrative School Principal Designee/Substitute
Twin Rivers Unified School District
01.2016 - 07.2016
Founder & CEO
True Options Educational Services
01.2013 - Current
Principal/Summer School
Oakland Unified School District
06.2012 - 08.2012
Assistant Principal
Oakland Unified School District
07.2011 - 06.2013
Lead Teacher
St. HOPE
01.2011 - 07.2011
Teacher Leader
KIPP Oakland
07.2008 - 12.2010
Teacher
Alief ISD
01.2006 - 01.2007
Academic Program Coordinator (Elementary School Administrator of School Programs)
Elk Grove Unified School District
08.2004 - 07.2005
Teacher Leader
Twin Rivers School District (Formally Del Paso Unified School District)
07.2000 - 07.2004
In Progress-Doctor of Education - EdD - Educational Leadership
American College of Education
Bachelor of Arts degree - Black Studies
San Francisco State University
Credential - Elementary Education and Teaching
University of California, Davis
Masters of Arts degree - Educational Leadership and Administration, General
California State University-Sacramento