Sherry Richardson

Lead districtwide strategy, operations, and continuous improvement efforts for 29 Career and Technical Education programs of study across 19 high schools and 17 middle schools serving more than 6,000 students, 120 educators, and 30 school-based leaders.

• Lead implementation of districtwide CTE priorities aligned to the DCPS Strategic Plan and SEAD goals focused on college, career, and workforce readiness.
• Designed and launched DCPS CTE One-Stop platform, streamlining course sequencing, enhancing pathway accessibility, and strengthening postsecondary planning for students and families districtwide.
• Developed and implemented districtwide operational systems, leadership scopes and sequences, and accountability structures for CTE leaders to monitor annual priorities, compliance requirements, and strategic progress.
• Construct districtwide policy and implementation structures supporting instructional evaluation processes, federal compliance, program quality, and operational coherence across all CTE pathways.
• Supported expansion of emerging workforce-aligned pathways, including the implementation of a Bicycle Technician pathway to increase access to high-demand skilled trades opportunities.

• Managed and oversaw $2.7 million Carl D. Perkins federal grant budget, ensuring strategic investment, fiscal accountability, and equitable resource allocation while maintaining compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Conducted districtwide research and crosswalk analyses to identify aligned industry-recognized certifications (IRCs) for all 29 programs of study and successfully submitted recommendations to OSSE for state approval.
• Developed a districtwide IRC dashboard to monitor credential attainment and track progress toward Goal 6 of the SEAD Strategic Plan, strengthening executive visibility into student outcomes and program performance.
• Facilitate federally required CTE Performance Evaluation Meetings with school administrators and CTE leaders to analyze program outcomes, monitor accountability indicators, and develop continuous improvement strategies.

• Designed and executed districtwide professional learning experiences focused on instructional leadership, high-quality feedback practices, culturally responsive instruction, and workforce-aligned teaching strategies.
• Curated LEAP-aligned professional development for CTE District Course Chairs and school leaders to strengthen instructional coherence, educator capacity, and standards-based teaching practices.
• Lead weekly strategic leadership meetings with direct reports and school-based teams to align operational priorities, monitor implementation progress, and drive execution toward district strategic goals.
• Collaborate with the Office of Teaching and Learning to design districtwide instructional strategies supporting high-quality CTE instruction and student achievement outcomes.

• Collaborate across SEAD strategy offices, including STARS, GSI, Postsecondary, Data, Athletics, and 6th and 9th Grade Academies, to advance integrated student supports and districtwide strategic priorities.
• Secured a $40,000 Innovation Funds Grant through the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) to expand middle school CTE access and strengthen career exploration opportunities for historically underserved students.
• Finalized a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of the District of Columbia to expand access to Phlebotomy Technician programming within DCPS Opportunity Academies.
• Curate strategic partnerships and executive engagement opportunities through the Chancellor’s Panel of Industry Experts (PIE), strengthening workforce alignment and expanding access to career-connected learning opportunities.
• Spearheaded planning and execution of DCPS Middle School CTE Expo, delivering hands-on career exploration experiences for over 1,000 eighth-grade students across the district.

• Lead nationally recognized NAF Distinguished Academy of Biotechnology serving approximately 200 students and supervising biotechnology instructional programming, workforce partnerships, internship opportunities, and industry certification preparation.
• Designed and sustained strategic partnerships with academic institutions, biotechnology companies, and STEM organizations to expand student access to mentorships, internships, and career-connected learning experiences.
• Directed implementation of NGSS-aligned biotechnology curriculum and authentic research experiences culminating in student-led scientific inquiry and workforce readiness outcomes.
• Led strategic data analysis cycles and instructional planning meetings focused on student achievement, certification performance, and academy improvement outcomes.
• Served on multiple district and state advisory bodies, including the OSSE Health Science Advisory Board, OSSE Commission of Practitioners, Chancellor’s Teacher Cabinet, and NAF Leadership Team, to influence policy and strategic educational initiatives.

• Collaborated with NASA scientists and research teams to investigate relationships between climate change, urban infrastructure, and socioeconomic conditions using geospatial analysis and Landsat imaging.
• Presented research findings and STEM engagement initiatives at MIT and regional STEM conferences to support community engagement and science literacy initiatives.
• Developed interdisciplinary STEM curriculum integrating NASA climate science research into classroom instruction and capstone learning experiences.

• Led strategic coordination and instructional leadership for multidisciplinary CTE programs, including Biotechnology, Information Technology, and Engineering.
• Directed department-wide professional collaboration, instructional planning, and workforce-aligned programming supporting STEM achievement and student engagement.
• Organized large-scale STEM fairs, research showcases, and industry engagement initiatives featuring participation from corporate and postsecondary partners.
• Led McKinley’s internationally recognized STEM team to finalist recognition in the IREX World Smarts STEM Challenge in collaboration with international partners in Ghana.