Tracey La Fara
Keller,TX
Summary
Experienced educational leader with proven ability to enhance student learning and foster positive school culture. Adept at organizational and instructional leadership. Excelled in fostering team collaboration, driving academic success, and adapting to changing needs. Skilled in curriculum development, staff mentorship, and effective communication. Known for building strong relationships, reliability and achieving results.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Dyslexia Specialist
Northwest ISD
08.2023 - Current
- Established a positive classroom culture based on mutual respect, empathy, and high expectations for all students regardless of learning differences.
- Maintained data to monitor and evaluate student progress and communicated regularly with parents of students regarding child's progress.
- Promoted self-advocacy skills among dyslexic learners by empowering them with knowledge about their unique abilities and strategies for overcoming challenges.
- Scaffolded instruction in phonemic awareness, decoding skills, and vocabulary development for optimal student success.
- Mentored fellow educators on best practices for teaching dyslexic learners, promoting inclusivity within the school community.
- Led professional development sessions on understanding dyslexia and effective instructional techniques for diverse learners.
Principal
Grapevine Colleyville ISD
07.2020 - 06.2023
- Championed vision of academic excellence for enhanced student engagement and achievement.
- Elevated staff morale by fostering a collaborative and supportive work culture, resulting in increased job satisfaction and retention rates.
- Fostered a positive learning environment by promoting open communication among staff, students, and parents.
- Led school improvement efforts by setting clear expectations for staff performance and providing regular feedback on progress towards goals.
- Performed classroom evaluations to assess teacher strategies and effectiveness.
- Collaborated with the Parent-Teacher Association to address parent concerns and foster a supportive community for student success.
- Oversaw the development of extracurricular programs that enhanced student life beyond the classroom setting.
- Coordinated successful school events such as fundraisers, open houses, concerts, athletic competitions, award ceremonies to increase visibility in the community.
- Oversaw faculty hiring process ensuring highly qualified educators committed to student success were recruited and retained at the school level.
- Kept school in full compliance with established policies, legal requirements and student safety standards.
- Collaborated with administration staff to develop functional budgets within allocated funds.
Assistant Principal
Grapevine Colleyville ISD
07.2017 - 07.2020
- Partnered with principal to administer school program in alignment with vision and goals, providing positive, high-expectation academic environment.
- Promoted a positive school culture by cultivating strong relationships among students, staff, and families.
- Collaborated with teachers to develop data-driven instructional strategies, resulting in improved student achievement.
- Monitored and evaluated teacher performance to ensure the highest quality of instruction for students.
- Oversaw the implementation of assessment tools and analyzed results to inform instructional decision-making processes.
- Monitored student behavior and enforced discipline policies.
- Supported hiring, training, and disciplinary action in compliance with legal guidelines and requirements.
Learning Liaison
Grapevine Colleyville ISD
10.2016 - 06.2017
- Acted as liaison between campus and district administration and campus staff members, promoting positive working relationships built on trust.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of district curriculum, sharing insights with teachers to drive continuous improvement and student outcomes.
- Collaborated closely with grade levels, addressing concerns and providing solutions.
- Supported student growth through facilitation of professional learning communities and staff development.
- Maintained a high degree of professionalism at all times, representing the campus with integrity in district-level interactions.
Campus Instructional Teacher
Northwest ISD
08.2015 - 07.2016
- Enhanced teacher effectiveness by providing individualized coaching and professional development opportunities.
- Supported data-driven instruction by assisting teachers with analyzing assessment results and adjusting lesson plans accordingly.
- Implemented research-based instructional strategies to address achievement gaps among various student populations, fostering an inclusive learning environment for all students.
- Built and maintained positive relationships with students, parents, colleagues and administrators.
- Promoted continuous improvement in teaching practices by leading professional learning communities focused on best practices and research-based strategies.
- Facilitated collaborative planning sessions for grade-level teams to establish learning goals and align curriculum across subjects.
- Boosted teacher morale through regular recognition events celebrating success stories from classrooms across the campus.
Gifted & Talented Specialist
Northwest ISD
08.2013 - 07.2015
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Utilized standardized assessments to identify students for gifted & talented program.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress, attendance, and behavior to facilitate ongoing communication with parents about their child''s educational journey.
- Collaborated with other teachers to plan interdisciplinary units that connected subjects and promoted deeper understanding among students.
- Enhanced critical thinking skills with project-based learning opportunities.
- Improved student engagement by incorporating hands-on activities into curriculum.
- Promoted digital literacy by integrating technology into curriculum.
Education
M.Ed. - Education Administration
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX08-2014
Skills
- Effective leadership
- Relationship building and networking
- Instructional Coaching
- Verbal and written communication
Certification
- Texas Principal Certificate K-12
- Texas Teacher Evaluation & Support System Certificate K-12
- Gifted and Talented Supplemental Certificate EC-12
- Texas Educator Certificate - Generalist EC-4
- English as a Second Language Supplemental Certificate EC-4
- Special Education Supplemental Certificate EC-4
Timeline
Dyslexia Specialist
Northwest ISD
08.2023 - Current
Principal
Grapevine Colleyville ISD
07.2020 - 06.2023
Assistant Principal
Grapevine Colleyville ISD
07.2017 - 07.2020
Learning Liaison
Grapevine Colleyville ISD
10.2016 - 06.2017
Campus Instructional Teacher
Northwest ISD
08.2015 - 07.2016
Gifted & Talented Specialist
Northwest ISD
08.2013 - 07.2015
M.Ed. - Education Administration
Lamar University