Tamara Sampson
Houston,USA
Summary
Dynamic educational leader skilled in curriculum development, educational leadership, and program evaluation. Excel in strategic planning through data analysis, team building, and institutional collaboration to achieve objectives and improve learning outcomes demonstrated by 24% elevation in academic performance through strategic planning and instructional coaching. Adept at fostering collaborative growth and driving results with a focus on impactful, student-centered achievements.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
3
3
Certification
Work History
Director of Academics (including Resident and Interim)
YES Prep Public Schools
Houston, TX
01.2021 - Current
- Build a high-performing team of instructional leaders to deliver exceptional educational programming aligned with district and state standards, achieving measurable improvements in student outcomes
- Design and execute a results-driven curriculum framework grounded in best practices, research, and inclusive learning strategies, leading to a 38% increase in student engagement and 24% in academic performance
- Direct curriculum mapping and standards-based instruction, driving student mastery and elevating school rankings from eighth to fourth in the district within six weeks
- Observe, evaluate, and coach instructional leaders using tailored coaching plans, resulting in over 90% staff growth in key benchmarks within the first quarter of the school year
- Leverage assessment data to implement targeted interventions and differentiated strategies, narrowing achievement gaps for struggling learners while advancing high-performing students
- Deliver professional development workshops for instructional leaders and teachers, enhancing coaching methodologies and instructional practices to drive KPI-aligned success
- Establish, monitor, and adjust accountability systems to uphold professional standards and exceeded organizational core value competencies, resulting in sustained operational excellence
- Collaborate cross-functionally to monitor progress toward OKRs, refining policies and procedures to ensure seamless academic department operations and strategic goal alignment
- Design and execute onboarding plans for diverse staffing roles, streamlining integration and optimizing role readiness
- Provide actionable feedback to refine organizational processes, achieving measurable improvements in student achievement and staff professional development metrics
- Lead comprehensive data assessments to identify gaps, evaluate initiative effectiveness, and implement strategic actions to meet and exceed targeted outcomes
- Conceptualize, launch, and monitor a tutorial program, driving gains in student retention and academic success
Dean of Instruction
YES Prep Public Schools
Houston, TX
01.2021 - Current
- Strategically plan, develop, and present high-quality professional development that train instructional staff in curricular systems, best practices, and key pedagogical issues
- Modeled and practiced effective instructional and classroom management strategies during coaching sessions and class
- Observed and evaluated staff to craft an individualized coaching plan to enhance professional development
- Provided real-time and post-observation feedback that yielded high-impact adjustments to the organization’s daily processes and protocols that positively correlate to productivity of staff
- Led team data assessments to identify gaps, effectiveness of practices and systems, and determine actions to yield desired results
- Drove accountability and fulfilled the organization’s core value competencies by setting and upholding clear expectations required to meet professional standards
- Wrote, implemented, and monitored professional growth plans for staff not meeting standards to drive accountability
- Interview, select, and on-board new staff
- Provided support and guidance to employees and leaders as they navigated personal and professional demands during a Global Pandemic and time of social unrest
- Led the development, implementation, and management of the Intentional Greatness Pathway to encourage teachers to take ownership of their professional development and build a culture of intentional actions aligned to campus vision and goals
- Effectively collaborated with student culture department to co-plan responses to data trends and determine effectiveness metrics
Assistant Principal Interim & Substitute
Klein Intermediate School
Houston, TX
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Participated in the evaluation of educational programs
- Observed employee performance, recorded observations, and conducted conferences with teachers
- Assisted in interviewing and selecting new staff
- Certified that students were adequately supervised during non-instructional periods
- Conducted conferences to discuss and create support plans for students, parents, and teachers
- Received coaching from various leaders and implemented their feedback to further advance my knowledge and skills as an administrator
- Executed the student discipline management system in place to result in positive student behavior
- Ensured school rules and procedures were unvaryingly observed and student discipline was appropriate and equitable
Guiding Coalition Member
Klein Intermediate School
Houston, TX
01.2013 - 01.2018
- Promoted the school campus’ vision, building consensus and attaining buy-in through collaboration with school community stakeholders
- Disaggregated campus, district, and state data to determine areas of need in the school community and monitored the growth of these areas
- Analyzed the effectiveness of our campus’ current plan for providing a safe and secure school building environment to staff, students, and visitors
- Created and coordinated the school-wide behavioral initiative called SOAR to build positive character development and skills within youth
- Delivered professional development to staff to ensure successful integration of SOAR program
District Instructional Development Council Member & Campus Improvement and Development Council Member
Klein Intermediate School
Houston, TX
01.2013 - 01.2018
- Collaborated with district colleagues when reviewing and analyzing district trend data to update the District Strategic Plan and assisted in the development of a District Comprehensive Needs Assessment
- Reviewed the district’s Mission, Vision, Objectives, Beliefs, and Strategic Parameters in the light of current district data and trends to create new district vision
- Assisted in the development of a teacher guidebook for procedures and expectations which was used as an accessible resource to find answers to policy questions specific to our campus
- Liaison between the campus and the district by sharing district meeting take-away points with campus administrators and staff
Instructional Coach
Klein Intermediate School
Houston, TX
01.2011 - 01.2018
- Provided teachers with consultative feedback requiring professional judgment to ensure curriculum alignment, effective curriculum implementation, differentiated instructional strategies and appropriate materials and resources
- Identified teaching and learning needs, barriers, areas of focus, and strengths by analyzing student data and classroom practices and organizing and implementing problem-solving actions with teachers
- Explained and modeled differentiation strategies to meet varied learning needs of diverse student population and resulted in authentic student engagement and academic growth
- Created Coaching Agreements and Work Plans to monitor and assess teacher progress towards SMART goals
- Monitored instructional effectiveness and student progress using coaching tools and strategies gained through professional development and experience
STEM Curriculum Consultant
STEMcoach.com, Accelerate Learning
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Developed curricula for elementary and secondary science and math highly aligned to Texas learning standards and NGSS via digital learning program
- Ensured high level of rigor, models of best practices, and tools for differentiation and STEM implementation incorporated in teacher instructional resources
- Revised and edited online content to ensure accuracy and alignment with NGSS or Texas learning standards, as well as properly cross-referenced with all Common Core standards and performance expectations
- Modeled and discussed effective STEM instructional practices that promote 21st century learning skills for teachers via online video
Education
Certification in Administration and Leadership -
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX06.2017
Masters of Education - Curriculum and Instruction
University of Houston
Houston, TX05.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX08.2001
Skills
- Educational leadership
- Instructional Coaching
- Results-Driven Mindset
- Analytical Problem Solving
- Staff development
- Strategic Planning and Project Management
- Organizational Skills
- Budget Management
- Collaborative Communication Techniques
- Team Development
- Data Analysis
- Microsoft Office
- Performance Improvement
- Performance Metrics
- Leadership Development
Certification
- EC-12 Principal Certification, TX
- 4-8 Generalist Certification, TX
- ESL Certification, TX
References
Available upon request.
Presentations
- Power in Productive Struggle, 09/01/24, Presentation at teacher Professional Development for YES Prep Fifth Ward, Houston, TX
- Strong Starts, 08/01/24, Presentation at teacher Professional Development for YES Prep Fifth Ward, Houston, TX
- Data Diving for Results, 03/01/24, Presentation at teacher Professional Development for YES Prep Fifth Ward, Houston, TX
- Data Diving for Results, 10/01/23, Presentation at teacher Professional Development for YES Prep Fifth Ward, Houston, TX
- Paving the Pathway to Mastery, 05/01/23, Presentation at the 2023 National Education Explosion Conference, Houston, TX
- Paving the Pathway to Mastery, 11/01/22, Presentation at the 2022 National Education Explosion Conference, Houston, TX
- Responding to Data, 03/01/23, Presentation at teacher Professional Development for YES Prep Northside, Houston, TX
- Think, Write, Pair, Share, 11/01/22, Presentation at teacher Professional Development for YES Prep Fifth Ward, Houston, TX
- Backwards Design of Lesson Planning, 08/01/21, Presentation at teacher in-service and teacher Professional Development for YES Prep Eisenhower, Houston, TX
- Backwards Design of Lesson Planning, 08/01/20, Presentation at teacher in-service and teacher Professional Development for YES Prep Eisenhower, Houston, TX
- Backwards Design of Lesson Planning, 08/01/19, Presentation at teacher in-service and teacher Professional Development for YES Prep Eisenhower, Houston, TX
- Backwards Design of Lesson Planning, 09/01/18, Presentation at teacher in-service and teacher Professional Development for YES Prep Eisenhower, Houston, TX
- Intentional Greatness Pathway Rollout, 10/01/19, Presentation at teacher Professional Development for YES Prep Eisenhower, Houston, TX
- SOARing at Klein Intermediate, 08/01/16, Presentation at teacher in-service for Klein Intermediate School, Houston, TX
- CROC-ing Unit Rates and Slopes with Cookies!, 06/01/15, Presentation at the Conference for the Advancement for Math Teachers (CAMT), Houston, TX
- Stem-erize It! If you teach this way, they will learn it., 11/01/15, Presentation at the Conference for the Advancement for Science Teachers (CAST), Ft. Worth, TX
- Dissect It! Draw It! Solve It!, 06/01/12, Presentation at the Conference for the Advancement for Math Teachers (CAMT), Houston, TX
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Director of Academics (including Resident and Interim)
YES Prep Public Schools
01.2021 - Current
Dean of Instruction
YES Prep Public Schools
01.2021 - Current
Assistant Principal Interim & Substitute
Klein Intermediate School
01.2016 - 01.2018
Guiding Coalition Member
Klein Intermediate School
01.2013 - 01.2018
District Instructional Development Council Member & Campus Improvement and Development Council Member
Klein Intermediate School
01.2013 - 01.2018
STEM Curriculum Consultant
STEMcoach.com, Accelerate Learning
01.2013 - 01.2015
Instructional Coach
Klein Intermediate School
01.2011 - 01.2018
Certification in Administration and Leadership -
Lamar University
Masters of Education - Curriculum and Instruction
University of Houston
Bachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice
Sam Houston State University
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