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SONJI LEACH
Ellabell,GA
Summary
Enthusiastic Principal versed in overseeing annual Title One school budgets and implementing improvements to meet student needs. Ambitious with career success building strong, effective teams of inspired educators and support staff. Over 20 years of experience in building positive learning environments for academic success with expertise in leadership development and building data driven teams.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certificate
Work History
Principal
Southwest Middle School, SCCPSS
Savannah, GA
07.2021 - Current
- Oversaw schedule management and protocols for orientation, registration and related activities.
- Trained over 75 teachers on effective teaching techniques, classroom management strategies and behavior modification.
- Cultivated positive relationships between community members, school students and teachers.
- Monitored student behavior and enforced discipline policies of over 800 students.
- Performed classroom evaluations to assess teacher strategies and effectiveness.
Acting Principal
Alfred Ely Beach High School, SCCPSS
Savannah, Georgia
01.2019 - 06.2021
- Oversaw schedule management and protocols for orientation, registration and related activities.
- Trained 75 teachers on effective teaching techniques, classroom management strategies and behavior modification.
- Cultivated positive relationships between community members, school students and teachers.
- Mentored newly hired educators and provided encouragement and feedback.
- Monitored student behavior and enforced discipline policies of over 800 students.
- Prepared school budget of over $500,000 and submitted to supervising district personnel with recommendations for hiring, capital expenditures and cost-saving initiatives.
- Performed classroom evaluations to assess teacher strategies and effectiveness.
Director of School Improvement
Savannah-Chatham County Public School System
Savannah, Georgia
08.2017 - 12.2018
- Coordinated management and monitoring aspects of comprehensive school improvement planning
- Monitored adherence to established District Accountability Plan for ensuring academic achievement and school improvement
- Monitored school improvement plan budgets of $500,000+ and its alignment with school improvement plans to ensure successful implementation
- Participated with staff over 75 in ongoing data analysis and formative assessment
- Set performance goals, objectives and standards to ensure leader accountability for increasing academic achievement and school improvement
- Participated in 25 weekly classroom walk-through sessions and professional conversations with school principals and program administrators to promote continued improvement
- Worked with Executive Directors of School Governance and 20 Principals to ensure that school leadership team is fully operational as defined in Leader Keys Evaluation System
- Worked with Executive Directors of School Governance and Principals to ensure that leadership teams and School Council activities are focused on school needs as identified in comprehensive needs assessment
- Worked with Executive Directors of School Governance and Principals to ensure consistent monitoring of instruction with provision of timely, performance-based feedback to teachers and principals.
Coordinator of Administrative Services
Richland County School District One
Columbia, South Carolina
01.2013 - 01.2017
- Coordinated management and monitoring aspects of comprehensive school improvement planning
- Monitored adherence to established District Accountability Plan for ensuring academic achievement and school improvement
- Monitored school improvement plan budget and its alignment with school improvement plans to ensure successful implementation
- Participated with staff of 75+ in ongoing data analysis and formative assessment
- Set performance goals, objectives and standards to ensure leader accountability for increasing academic achievement and school improvement
- Participated in 25 weekly classroom walk-through sessions and professional conversations with school principals and program administrators to promote continued improvement
- Worked with Executive Directors of School Governance and 25 Principals to ensure that school leadership team is fully operational as defined in Leader Keys Evaluation System
- Worked with Executive Directors of School Governance and 25 Principals to ensure that leadership teams and School Council activities are focused on school needs as identified in comprehensive needs assessment
- Worked with Executive Directors of School Governance and 25 Principals to ensure consistent monitoring of instruction with provision of timely, performance-based feedback to teachers and principals.
Senior Executive Administrator
Allen University
Columbia, South Carolina
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Assisted University President in accomplishing university’s overall vision and mission
- Marketed University to recruit new students and faculty members; supervised campus police, custodial/maintenance services, IT, and athletics
- Built business partnerships with 10 companies to enhance and expand academic and athletic program
- Organized and planned scholarship fundraising event to raise over $750,000
- Developed and monitored strategic plan to improve student achievement and increase student enrollment with 128 students.
- Worked on accreditation process with the President; attended college accreditation conference in Dallas
Principal
Swainsboro High School
Swainsboro, Georgia
01.2009 - 01.2012
- Maintained vision, direction, and focus on student learning through effective PLC data-driven meetings which resulted in making AYP and being removed off Needs Improvement List
- Created safe and positive environment among students, faculty, staff, administration, and community
- Performed classroom evaluations to assess teacher strategies and effectiveness.
- Secured $1.3 million grant for one-to-one student devices
- Improved teacher retention by 10%
- Increased graduation rate by 13%
- Decreased number of discipline referrals by 65% and student drop-out rate by 15%
- Reduced teenage pregnancy by 50%.
- Mentored newly hired educators and provided encouragement and feedback.
- Trained teachers on effective teaching techniques, classroom management strategies and behavior modification.
Education
Ed. D. - Educational Leadership and Administration
Argosy University
Atlanta, GA11.2007
Ed. S. - Educational Leadership and Administration
Lincoln Memorial University
Harrogate, TN12.2003
M. Ed - Middle Grades Education
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA08.1997
BBA - Marketing
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA06.1991
Skills
- Employee Hiring
- Decision Making
- Networking and Partnership Development
- Recruitment Management
- Employee Relations
- Leadership Development
- Cultural Diversity Training
- Data Analysis
- Strategic Planning
- Record Keeping
- Budget Planning
Accomplishments
- PUBLICATION: A Quantitative Study of the Impact of Preschool Programs on Closing the Achievement Gap and Fourth Grade Student Achievement in a Rural School District
- PRESENTATION: Building Meaningful Relationships and Providing Effective Classroom
Affiliations
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
National Association of Secondary School Principals
Certification
- Georgia and South Carolina
- Educational Leadership (P-12) L7
- Middle Grades (4-8) T
- English Language Arts
- Social Studies
Timeline
Principal
Southwest Middle School, SCCPSS
07.2021 - Current
Acting Principal
Alfred Ely Beach High School, SCCPSS
01.2019 - 06.2021
Director of School Improvement
Savannah-Chatham County Public School System
08.2017 - 12.2018
Coordinator of Administrative Services
Richland County School District One
01.2013 - 01.2017
Senior Executive Administrator
Allen University
01.2012 - 01.2013
Principal
Swainsboro High School
01.2009 - 01.2012
Ed. D. - Educational Leadership and Administration
Argosy University
Ed. S. - Educational Leadership and Administration
Lincoln Memorial University
M. Ed - Middle Grades Education
Georgia Southern University
BBA - Marketing
Georgia Southern University
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