Shenethe Parks

• 10,943 students: 13% Latinx, 85.0% African American, .03% Asian, 0.5% White, .09% Other
• 18% Diverse Learners, 11% English Learners, 91% Low Income
• Results-driven leader with extensive experience supervising operations and enhancing student performance across 33 elementary campuses. Proven ability to strengthen administrator capacity through strategic coaching, develop effective instructional leadership teams, and implement data-driven improvement initiatives. Proficiency in STEM, STEAM, IB, Fine Arts, and Personalized Learning programs.
• Spearheaded community engagement initiatives and contributed to district-wide equity and leadership development programs. Mentored network chiefs and district leaders through the NextGen Mentor program.

Highlights

• Assessment: 13% Reading and 5% Math increase post-pandemic on state assessments. Closing the achievement gap: 16% Reading and 15% Math decrease of students not meeting expectations. Primary Literacy: An increase of 40% K, 20% 1st and 14% 2nd at proficiency and above from BOY assessment.
• Attendance: Maintained average 89% attendance and decrease chronic absenteeism by 8%.
• Ontrack: Monitoring on-track metrics (attendance, grades, behavior) and decreasing students on Far -off track by 22%.
• MTSS: Decreased Tier 3 students by 35% and lowering Tier 3 to 15% of student enrollment.
• Implementation of Skyline ELA curriculum across network schools with professional learning, planning and co-teaching support resulting in 13% increase in literacy.
• 100% of schools offer Algebra through extended day learning or online hub.
• Partnership with My Brothers Keeper, Inc (Obama Foundation) to implement Springboard to strengthen early literacy skills and parent engagement.
• Monitoring expenditures for 33 schools with budgets ranging from 2.5 - 11 million dollars each.
• Awarded $40,000 SEL grant develop staff “wellness rooms” and weekly SEL activities

• 18,927 students: 64.7% Latinx, 32.2% African American, 0.5% Asian, 2.5% White, 16.1% Diverse Learners, 35.3% English Learners, 89% Low Income
• Supported the implementation of the district’s vision and the network’s strategic action plan for 20 elementary and 6
  high schools which services over 18,000 students located within the Austin and Belmont Cragin neighborhoods.
• In collaboration with the Chief of Schools, provided tiered support to effectively increase the academic achievement, culture and climate of each school.
  Network Strategy/ Continuous Improvement Work Plan (CIWP)/School Quality Rating Performance (SQRP)
• Provided feedback on each school’s CIWP plans, monitor progress and on-track implementation of priorities and action steps.
• Directly supported Math priority for elementary schools through high quality instructional framework, grade level team meetings supported by ISLs, pacing guides and interim assessments, and principal/teacher professional development.
• Supported a network of teachers to receive funding for an AP Calculus and Algebra summer program for the students in the Network 3.

Leadership Development

• Coached and developed the capacity of principals who are directly responsible for leveraging high quality teaching and learning in every classroom and to provide a positive culture and climate throughout the school.
• Monitored the Leadership Development Plans through on-going school visits providing feedback with actionable next steps.
• Planned and facilitated monthly assistant principal meetings, which included a principal preparation component. Used information from exit surveys/feedback to plan accordingly for subsequent meetings and to meet the needs of the participants.
• Planned principal meetings in collaboration with the Chief of Schools and Instructional Support Leaders.
• Planned and co-facilitated with principals for the monthly PLC on Rigorous Tasks and Instruction.

Community Relations

• Attended Local School Council meetings at network schools and provided feedback to principals on the State of the School Address.
• Attended monthly Austin Community Action Council meetings, community organization & partnership meetings.
• Participated in community events (i.e. Austin 5K race, CPD 15thdistrict rally, and holiday parade)

School Accountability

• Submission of weekly communication regarding updates, deadlines, and resources provided from the district.
• Hosted monthly attendance meetings with leads to analyze school-wide and cohort data, provide strategies of improvement, accuracy of attendance procedures and to share best practices.
• Created attendance incentives and daily email communication of attendance percentages.
• Conducted attendance audits and follow-up meetings with network’s administrative leadership.
• Collaborated with the network team to create a proposal for an attendance grant of $100,000 that was used to implement targeted strategies at a cohort of schools.

• Bret Harte School
  322 students: 6.2% Latinx, 86.3% African American, 1.9% Asian, 3.1% White, 14.9% Diverse Learners, 6.5% English
  Learners, 79% Low Income
• Served as a visionary leader at a PreK-8 grade school with 335 students and a staff of 50 including teachers, clinicians and paraprofessionals. Transformed the culture to foster student academic achievement; developed teacher leadership capacity; created and monitored policies that promoted a safe learning environment for teachers and students; managed the operation and facilities of the school; secured resources and diversified fund allocations of $3.5 million from student based budgeting.

Academic Achievements

• Increased NWEA/MAP student achievement in Reading and Math. Attainment above the national norm ranking at 68thpercentile in Reading and 55thpercentile in Math. The school accountability increased to level 1 from level 3.
• Organized training for Understanding by Design (UbD) with Jay McTighe for teachers from 14 schools within the network. Provided follow-up sessions and support to principals and teachers to successfully develop an implementation plan.
• Implementation of CCSS, providing quality professional development and monitoring instructional practices through the cycles of learning and continuous observation and feedback. Implemented MTSS supports to provide instruction at the students needs.
• Increased teacher capacity through instructional leadership team and grade level teams.
• Illinois State Board of Education Spotlight School Award – Honor Roll (2006-2011)

Culture & Climate

• Increased and maintained student attendance at 95%.
• Decreased student suspensions by 43% implementing restorative practices, Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports and Social Emotional Learning curriculum - Second Steps
• Healthy School Certified - Bronze Award

Grants & Resources

• Secured grants to provide professional development on the implementation of inquiry based learning through Stephanie Harvey and Golden Apple Foundation.
• Increased technology integration with iPad, laptops and interactive boards in every classroom through a $100,000 grant and school funding.
• Secured Creative School Funds grant by completing yearly RFP for $10,000 to support integration of the arts and extra-curricular activities.
• Facilities upgrades of a new playground and renovated restrooms through district and community funding.

Training

• Cahn Fellows Program for Distinguished Principals July 2016
• Summer Design Program - Chicago Public Education Fund – Innovative Scheduling July 2016
• Chicago Principal Fellows Cohort II Sept. 2015
• Deloitte University Courageous Principals: From Insight to Action July 2014
• Chicago Executive Leadership Academy Sept. 2012
• Multi-Tier Supports & Systems / Response to Intervention Summer 2012
• Growth Through Learning – Teacher Evaluation Training Summer 2012
• Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports/Social Emotional Learning Summer 2011

Educational Leadership

• Adjunct Professor - American College Education
• Principal Mentor for Teach for America (Harvard), New Leaders for New Schools, Chicago Leadership Collaborative

• Miriam G. Canter Middle School
• 238 students: 3.8% Latinx, 94.1% African American, 0.3% Asian, 1.7% White, 18.2% Diverse Learners, 1.7% English Learners, 78.6% Low Income
• Assisted in the grass roots efforts in transforming Canter into the Hyde Park community middle school receiving students from 4 feeder elementary buildings.
• Created a student-focused, stimulated and safe learning environment for staff of 30 teachers, clinicians and paraprofessionals and 400 students.
• Increased student academic achievement by 50% in Reading, Math & Science.
• Organized school-wide programs and events to support the development of adolescent middle school students.

• 591 students: 7.6% Latinx, 66.1% African American, 4.7% Asian, 17.0% White, 16.1% Diverse Learners, 29.3% English Learners, 71% Low Income
• Planned and implemented unit and weekly lesson plans that correlated with the State Goals/ Chicago Academic Standards for 7th and 8th grade classes; student-centered instruction; implemented an array of teaching strategies and assessment to accommodate various learning modalities; effective classroom management; team-building with colleagues and students.