Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Accomplishments
Professional Presentations
Core Leadership Strengths
Timeline
Generic

Thelma Hickman

Tallahassee,FL

Summary

Dynamic educational leader with a proven track record at Havana Magnet School, enhancing instructional practices and elevating student outcomes through data-driven initiatives. Expert in strategic school improvement and culture building, fostering strong community engagement while managing multimillion-dollar budgets and ensuring compliance and safety.

Overview

32
32
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Principal

Havana Magnet School
Havana, FL
01.2021 - Current
  • Oversee all academic, cultural, and operational aspects of a K–8 school.
  • Elevated instructional practices through coaching, PLC strengthening, and standards-based monitoring.
  • Improved school culture with discipline systems, SEL supports, and proactive interventions.
  • Led data-driven improvement initiatives that increased teacher effectiveness and student outcomes.
  • Conducted evaluations, coaching cycles, and professional learning to improve instructional rigor.
  • Strengthened family engagement and community partnerships.
  • Managed multimillion-dollar budgets and resource allocation.
  • Oversaw school safety, emergency preparedness, and compliance.

Assistant Principal

Crossroad Academy Charter School
Quincy, FL
01.2015 - 01.2021
  • Led instructional systems, teacher evaluations, data cycles, and schoolwide discipline.
  • Strengthened PLCs, assessment practices, and curriculum fidelity.
  • Supported schoolwide operations, compliance, and crisis management.

Instructional Coach

Crossroad Academy Charter School
Quincy, FL
01.2013 - 01.2015
  • Guided teachers through coaching cycles, modeling, and data-driven planning.
  • Facilitated professional development on literacy, classroom management, and best practices.

Lead Classroom Teacher

Crossroad Academy Charter School
Quincy, FL
01.2003 - 01.2013
  • Accelerated student growth through differentiated instruction and positive behavior systems.
  • Led IEP meetings and implemented individualized supports for diverse learners.

Receptionist

CEDO
Quincy, FL
01.2001 - 01.2003

Exceptional Student Education Teacher

Bainbridge High School
Bainbridge, GA
01.1994 - 01.2003

Education

M.Ed. - Educational Leadership

University of West Florida
01.2015

M.S. - Emotional Disturbances & Learning Disabilities

Florida State University
01.2013

A.S. - Mental Retardation

Georgia Southern University
01.1994

Skills

  • Strategic School Leadership & Improvement
  • Instructional Coaching & Teacher Development
  • Data-Driven Decision Making
  • Culture Building & Behavior Systems
  • Academic Achievement Acceleration
  • Team Leadership & Staff Evaluation
  • Parent & Community Engagement
  • Safety, Compliance & Crisis Management
  • Program Implementation & Monitoring
  • Communication, Collaboration & Relationship Building

Certification

  • Educational Leadership
  • Exceptional Student Education (K–12)
  • Elementary Education
  • ESOL Endorsement
  • Gifted Endorsement
  • Reading Endorsement (pending)
  • Principalship (pending)

Accomplishments

  • Two-time Teacher of the Year (2007–08, 2010–11)
  • FLDOE Principal Leadership Level 2 Preparation Program (2019)
  • Clinical Education Program Developer Award (2020)

Professional Presentations

  • Critical Reading (Elementary)
  • Reciprocal Teaching
  • Florida Teacher Evaluation
  • The Big 5 in Reading
  • Data-Driven Instruction
  • School Culture
  • Classroom Management
  • Workplace Relationships
  • Home–School Partnerships

Core Leadership Strengths

  • Strategic School Leadership & Improvement
  • Instructional Coaching & Teacher Development
  • Data-Driven Decision Making
  • Culture Building & Behavior Systems
  • Academic Achievement Acceleration
  • Team Leadership & Staff Evaluation
  • Parent & Community Engagement
  • Safety, Compliance & Crisis Management
  • Program Implementation & Monitoring
  • Communication, Collaboration & Relationship Building

Timeline

Principal

Havana Magnet School
01.2021 - Current

Assistant Principal

Crossroad Academy Charter School
01.2015 - 01.2021

Instructional Coach

Crossroad Academy Charter School
01.2013 - 01.2015

Lead Classroom Teacher

Crossroad Academy Charter School
01.2003 - 01.2013

Receptionist

CEDO
01.2001 - 01.2003

Exceptional Student Education Teacher

Bainbridge High School
01.1994 - 01.2003

M.Ed. - Educational Leadership

University of West Florida

M.S. - Emotional Disturbances & Learning Disabilities

Florida State University

A.S. - Mental Retardation

Georgia Southern University