Torrey Lau
St. Paul,MN
Summary
Dynamic Director oversees multiple facets of the organization with strong project management and adaptive leadership skills. Brings comprehensive knowledge of K-12, Higher Ed, CTE, and Career Connected Learning. Skilled professional with a history of meeting company goals utilizing consistent and organized practices. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to best enhance organizational performance and progress.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director, Academic Excellence
Rêve Academy
06.2020 - Current
- Develop and oversee all programming in a multifaceted organizational leadership role for a 501C3 Nationality Accredited Non-Profit Educational Service provider
- Create, regularly modify, and facilitate curriculum and career pathway courses of study to achieve equitable, industry-aligned competency-based outcomes in youth workforce readiness, business innovation and entrepreneurship, internships, and residencies to ensure students acquire marketable professional digital skills
- Optimize, innovate and improve upon current practices, and iterate operational processes quickly and efficiently
- Spearhead strategic planning, market research and integrate current CTE industry trends into curriculum and career experiences
- Define outcomes and data tracking systems for school-based programs, internships, residencies, volunteers, and events, and analyze results using data analytics tools to ensure quality programming and impact
- Design and facilitate professional development for Reve’s programming and provide ongoing coaching support for facilitators
- Drive partnership expansion with local school districts, community, and corporate partners to scale and expand reach to a wider market base
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and community partners, successfully manage multiple partnership relations at once and provide excellent service and support
- Spearhead successful pilot program launches that result in increased brand visibility and partner acquisition
- Write grants, monitor progress, reporting, and manage budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability
- Obtain and maintain national accreditation for high school and college credit programs (Cognia and ACE)
- Lead Reve staff training and development, facilitate team meetings and work efficiently and productively with all team members
- Provide thought leadership, mentorship, and representation for youth workforce readiness in conversations at the local, state, and national levels
- Create and execute compelling presentations and facilitate meetings with all levels of school leaders, students, and staff
- Create digital and physical marketing content and promote messaging via social media channels, website, and events
- Maintain connections to Reve alumni, plan networking and career development events
- Collaborate with the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Team, establishing a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication and authentically empowering employees
- Assist in recruiting, hiring and training of team members, monitor and coach staff on IDP goals, provide feedback to achieve daily and long-term goals, and maintain high productivity and performance metrics
- Champion corporate social responsibility initiatives that enhanced Reve's reputation in the community and industry at large
- Work closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy and program review
- Demonstrate strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects
- Learn and adapt quickly to new technology and software applications
Advanced Academics, NSTEM, and Work Based Learning Coordinator
Minneapolis Public Schools
01.2015 - 01.2020
- Coordinate STEM, Advanced Academics, and Career Pathways college credit programming (Advanced Placement, College in the Schools, Career and Technical Education)
- Collaborate with teachers to integrate STEM and Advanced Academics experiences into classroom instruction, enhancing curriculum relevance for students
- Plan and implement staff development and training programs to enhance teachers' knowledge and skills, and serve as a teacher mentor and project based learning advisor
- Implement departmental policies and procedures and manage budgets to support educational program and curriculum, and create district level financial reports
- Represent educational program at meetings and conferences to serve as subject matter liaison for array of services and activities assigned
- Expand the variety of available internships and job placements by actively seeking out new partnerships within the community and establishing strong relationships with local businesses and organizations
- Facilitate regular meetings with business partners to discuss program goals, address concerns, and maintain positive relationships
- Coordinate state and district testing (MCA/MTAS, MAP, Access, ACT, AP)
- Ensure compliance with state and federal guidelines for WBL and AA programs through meticulous record-keeping and documentation
- Provide guidance to students in setting career goals, creating personalized plans for achieving those objectives through WBL and AA opportunities
- Increase student participation through marketing strategies, information sessions, and ongoing student support meetings
- Assist students in developing professional skills through resume writing workshops, interview coaching, and networking events
- Use strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop effective solutions for challenging situations
BIOTIC Instructor (Biotechnology Summer Institute)
Hamline University
06.2010 - 06.2017
- Collaborate with a team of college professors to plan curriculum, develop inquiry based experiences, and assist in teaching a Biotech institute for secondary teachers at Hamline University (summers 2010-2017)
- Mentor teachers in planning for and integrating MN biotechnology standards into their classrooms using current science teaching methodology and research-based strategies, such as flipped classroom, inquiry, project based learning, writing and science literacy methods
Science Teacher
Minneapolis Public Schools
01.2001 - 01.2015
- Teach Environmental Science, Biology, and ELL Biology, plan and integrate interdisciplinary topics, project-based learning, differentiated instruction, and classroom technology
TAP Mentor
Minneapolis Public Schools
01.2007 - 01.2012
- Serve as a Teacher Advancement Program (TAP) Mentor Teacher, a nationally recognized professional development model to increase teacher performance and student achievement
- Strategize and organize professional development of large and small groups of teachers through classroom observations, peer coaching, and facilitation of professional learning communities
- Research and Field-test student learning strategies for professional development meetings and keep data on student achievement, records of teacher observations, and coaching sessions
Education
Master’s Degree -
05.2004
Bachelor of Science -
05.1999
Skills
- Adaptive Leadership
- Project Management
- Organizational Development
- Strategic Planning
- Financial Oversight and Revenue Generation
- Data Metrics
- Non-profit Management
- Performance Evaluation and Monitoring
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Staff Development
- Content Development
- Corporate Social Responsibility
Accomplishments
ConnextMSP Advisory Committee, Founding Member
MnTech Advisory Committee, Work Experience Team
Invited Speaker at MN Tech Talent Conference and Achieve Twin Cities Step UP kickoff events
Career Academies Community of Practice, Member (GTCUW)
MPS CTE Work-Based Learning Advisory Committee, Founding Member
Certified TAP Mentor and SOEI Evaluator
Certification
- Life-science (7-12) Tier 4, 06/30/27
- Teacher Coordinator of Work-Based Learning (9 -12) Tier 4, 06/30/27
Relevant Expertise
- Grant writing, reporting, and monitoring financials for non-profit and education (Local Corporate Partners, Catalyze Challenge Ignite, Greater Twin Cities United Way, and several community and private foundations)
- External Consultant for CTE, STEM and STEAM integration, Heritage Stem Academy, Franklin Middle School, MPS
- Data analysis of assessment scores, surveys, NPS, and qualitative information to inform and implement organizational strategy
- Current practices in research-based teaching strategies and trends in education, and MN DEED employment trends to inform career pathway building
- Career and Technical Education trends, data, programs of study, pathways, articulated credits, certifications, and badges
- Post-secondary education trends, balancing industry needs and equitable access for all students
Relevant Community Global Experience
- Volunteered with Rescue a Golden of MN, Adopt a Husky of MN, and Habitat for Humanity, Twin Cities
- Researched primate behavior and rainforest ecology with the LaSuerte Biological Research Program in Ometepe, Nicaragua
- Plank Professional Development Award (July, 2006)
- Researched Black Rhino conservation practices and habitat monitoring data collection with the Earth Watch Program at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Nairobi, Kenya
- Fund For Teachers Fellowship Award (July-August, 2012)
Timeline
Director, Academic Excellence - Rêve Academy
06.2020 - Current
Advanced Academics, NSTEM, and Work Based Learning Coordinator - Minneapolis Public Schools
01.2015 - 01.2020
BIOTIC Instructor (Biotechnology Summer Institute) - Hamline University
06.2010 - 06.2017
TAP Mentor - Minneapolis Public Schools
01.2007 - 01.2012
Science Teacher - Minneapolis Public Schools
01.2001 - 01.2015
Hamline University - Master’s Degree,
Winona State University - Bachelor of Science,
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