Susan Morley Zender
New Orleans,LA
Summary
K-12 Educational Consultant with over 12 years of experience in data-driven coaching, instructional design, and professional learning facilitation. Excels in building educator capacity, enhancing instructional practices, and promoting equitable student outcomes. Experienced in leveraging Renaissance solutions and adult learning principles to drive instructional improvement. Committed to continuous professional growth and supporting historically marginalized students through innovative practices. Seasoned Education Consultant with a strong background in developing and implementing educational strategies to improve student learning outcomes. Possess deep knowledge of instructional design, curriculum development, and educational program evaluation. Known for forward-thinking approach and ability to identify potential areas of educational improvement. Previous work has resulted in enhanced academic performance, improved teaching methods, and successful adaptation to changing education environments.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Customer Education Consultant
Renaissance Learning
09.2024 - Current
- Deliver high-quality, engaging onsite and remote professional development for new and current users of Renaissance solutions.
- Facilitate personalized professional learning sessions that integrate adult learning strategies and connect directly to educators' real-world needs.
- Model best practices for product usage, instructional planning, and student data application across Renaissance platforms.
- Guide educators and administrators in using assessment and program data to accelerate student growth and make informed instructional decisions.
- Consult with educational stakeholders at all levels to maximize the impact of Renaissance tools.
- Communicate clearly and professionally with internal Renaissance teams and external partners to ensure high-quality service and continuous improvement.
- Support districts in aligning Renaissance solutions to strategic goals such as MTSS/RTI, literacy initiatives, or data-driven instruction frameworks.
- Analyze and interpret Renaissance data reports to surface insights that inform instructional adjustments and strategic planning.
- Coach educators on leveraging tools like Star Assessments, Freckle, myON, and Schoolzilla to drive equity, access, and student achievement.
- Maintain accurate records and complete all required documentation in a timely and professional manner.
- Engage in continuous professional learning by participating in internal Renaissance training and development opportunities.
- Demonstrate commitment to excellence by staying current on educational trends, Renaissance product updates, and best practices in teaching and learning.
Professional Learning Facilitator
BetterLesson
06.2024 - Current
- Deliver individualized coaching and targeted support to teachers, school leaders, and district leaders to address challenges and accelerate professional growth.
- Leverage real-world classroom and leadership experience to strengthen instructional strategies, content expertise, and system-level best practices.
- Harness technology to enhance teaching, leadership development, and learning experiences through online platforms and collaborative tools.
- Cultivate strong, trusting relationships with educators and leaders to create a safe, collaborative space for innovation, exploration, and continuous improvement.
- Analyze and interpret data with educators and leaders to inform instructional practices, leadership decisions, and monitor progress toward goals.
- Facilitate workshops that guide educators and leaders through self-reflection, strategy implementation, and professional learning aligned to specific goals.
- Design engaging professional learning experiences that connect theory to practice and provide immediate, actionable strategies.
- Lead learning walks that surface evidence of effective practice, celebrate strengths, and identify growth opportunities at the classroom, school, and district levels.
- Support school and district teams in using learning walk data to drive collective action, strategic planning, and continuous instructional improvement.
Effectiveness Coach
TNTP
04.2015 - 06.2024
- Guide teachers to enhance performance, fostering inclusivity and trust.
- Implement data-driven coaching, improving teacher retention and performance.
- Lead training sessions demonstrating effective instructional techniques.
- Develop innovative solutions for teacher performance, achieving contract goals.
Instructional Designer
TNTP
08.2021 - 08.2023
- Designed ADA-compliant courses, ensuring accuracy with SMEs and boosting engagement via LMS.
- Conducted in-depth needs assessments and collaborated with SMEs to align training content with organizational goals.
Lead Teacher
Firstline Schools
01.2018 - 04.2020
- Lead Grade 3-4 lesson planning, internalization, and delivery
- Enhance learning outcomes through personalized instruction
- Monitor student progress
- Comprehensive record-keeping
- Integrate technology, the Science of Reading, and instructional best practices in lessons to increase engagement and accessibility
- Implement remote learning solutions, expanding educational reach effectively
Lead Teacher
Crescent City Schools
01.2012 - 05.2018
- Led lesson planning and delivery, enhancing outcomes through tailored instruction
- Integrated technology and differentiated instruction to meet diverse learner needs
- Differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all learners
- Leverage data-driven instruction. Integrate technology, the Science of Reading, and instructional best practices in lessons to increase engagement and accessibility
- Implement targeted intervention strategies, resulting in substantial improvement in student performance
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement
- Collaborate with colleagues to develop and refine a curriculum aligned with state standards
- Utilize inclusive teaching practices to create a supportive environment that celebrates learner diversity and promotes equitable learning opportunities
Education
Ed.D. - Innovative Teaching and Learning
Northeastern University
Boston, MA04-2026
M.Ed. - eLearning and Instructional Design
Northeastern University
Boston, MA12.2021
Bachelor of Education -
University of Calgary
Calgary, AlbertaB.A. - Psychology
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, BCSkills
- Curriculum Development
- Culturally Responsive Instruction
- Qualitative and Quantitative Data Analysis
- Professional Development Facilitation
- Project Management
- Instructional Design & eLearning
- Remote and Hybrid Learning
- Data-Driven Coaching
Certification
- Louisiana Teaching License, Grades 1-8
- Massachusetts Teaching License, Grades 1-8, Humanities 5-8
- Digital Learning Integration, Northeastern University
- AI Tool Design and Prompt Engineering for Educators, Relay Graduate School of Education
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Customer Education Consultant
Renaissance Learning
09.2024 - Current
Professional Learning Facilitator
BetterLesson
06.2024 - Current
Instructional Designer
TNTP
08.2021 - 08.2023
Lead Teacher
Firstline Schools
01.2018 - 04.2020
Effectiveness Coach
TNTP
04.2015 - 06.2024
Lead Teacher
Crescent City Schools
01.2012 - 05.2018
Ed.D. - Innovative Teaching and Learning
Northeastern University
M.Ed. - eLearning and Instructional Design
Northeastern University
Bachelor of Education -
University of Calgary
B.A. - Psychology
University of British Columbia
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