High School Development
Resume:
ERIC GORDON
**** **** **** ******, ********* *
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
*************@*****.***
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Eric Gordon, Chief Academic Officer of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, leads the
planning, delivery, assessment and improvement of educational programs for CMSD s 112
schools and 45,000 students. He is the senior cabinet level member responsible for the design
and implementation of CMSD programs and policies related to instruction, and was a significant
contributor to the development of the district s Academic Transformation Plan in 2010. He is
responsible for the entire Pre-K through 12th grade academic program, principal and teacher
professional development, organizational and individual performance goals, evaluation and
assessment, and he is directly accountable for students academic progress and their readiness for
meaningful careers and postsecondary education upon graduation. Mr. Gordon directs the
district s academic staff and resources, all of which are driven by clearly articulated values and
measurable goals to raise student achievement.
An accomplished educator, Mr. Gordon began his career teaching in the New Orleans Public
Schools before moving back to his home town, Toledo, where he was quickly promoted to the
principal role. In 2001, Gordon was recruited to serve as a founding high school principal for the
Olentangy Local School District near Columbus, Ohio. Olentangy Liberty High School opened
its doors in 2002, earned an Excellent rating each year thereafter, and was named a State
School of Distinction because of superior student performance on the Ohio Graduation Tests.
Gordon was later appointed the Executive Director of Secondary Learning with responsibility for
all 6th through 12th grade schools, including designing and opening new schools for the fastest
growing district in the state of Ohio. In his current role, he implemented a district-wide scope
and sequence curriculum and developed a school accountability improvement model that, among
other strategies, resulted in increased student achievement and a 2010 rating of Continuous
Improvement on the District Ohio Report Card.
Gordon completed both a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Mathematics Education and
a Master s of Education degree in School Administration and Supervision at Bowling Green
State University. In 2005, he earned his Superintendent s License from Ohio State University.
LEADERSHIP PROFILE
Administrative Leadership
Strong administrative, instructional and moral leader with passion for educating urban students
to meet rigorous academic and career challenges. Key strategist in the creation, development
and execution of the CMSD Academic Transformation Plan. Decisive, data-driven manager who
assesses the full impact of every executive action on students educational opportunities.
Experienced negotiator and consensus-builder who understands CMSD s policies, politics and
operating norms, and applies common sense to navigate conflict and achieve success
Gordon Resume Page Two
Program Management
Developed innovative programs throughout career to facilitate learning at high levels. Key
district designer, implementer and proponent of data-driven professional development programs
and assessment practices. Created and developed systems to monitor and track progress on
specific student achievement goals, providing targeted direction and support to principals,
teachers and staff, families and students.
Selected Accomplishments
CMSD chosen by the Council of Great City Schools, the American Federation of
Teachers, and the Gates Foundation as one of six districts nationwide to pilot the new
Common Core curriculum;
Selected by the Ohio Department of Education to serve on state Race To The Top
Review Team;
Led the development of Humanware, resulting in the establishment of Student Support
Teams and Planning Centers in every school and the implementation of the Providing
Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS) Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum
in grades Pre-K-5;
CMSD selected by the Center for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL)
and NoVo Foundation as one of three districts nationwide to expand SEL work;
Developed the district s research database to assist schools in selecting programs
supported by sound academic research and evidence of improved student achievement on
state achievement tests;
Established data-delivery protocols that provide easily assessable data for teachers and
administrators to use in classroom instruction; and
Selected to present on evidence-based practice to peers at the American Education
Research Association in April 2011.
Team Leadership and Development
Experienced district team-builder, mentor and staff facilitator. Builds strong working
relationships across CMSD reporting and department lines. Designs and develops concrete
strategies for implementing the Academic Transformation Plan with school leadership teams and
holds them accountable for results. Designs, develops, sustains, implements and supervises
district-wide professional development initiatives, Pre-K-12, for teachers and administrators.
Values honesty, integrity and personal accountability, based on measurable evidence.
Selected Accomplishments
Created multiple opportunities for educators to discuss student achievement on an ongoing
basis and develop results-driven strategies to keep momentum, including:
Administrator Round Tables/Administrator Clinics
Virtual Administrator Business Meetings
Academic Achievement Planning Meetings
District-wide literacy and mathematics professional development for Grade 3-10 teachers
Common Core Curriculum Professional Development Symposia
Accelerated Reader and First in Math Champions Program
PATHS professional development for all PreK-5 teachers
Student Support Team Trainings
Scope and Sequence Curriculum Design Sessions
Gordon Resume Page Three
Curriculum & Instructional Management
Supervises all standards and curriculum development and implementation for CMSD Pre-
Kindergarten through twelfth grade. Supports principals and teachers in their efforts to integrate
national best practices in daily CMSD classroom interactions. Designs, develops and
implements a comprehensive assessment system for summative and formative evaluations of
student performance, based on standards-based curricular benchmarks. Spearheads district-wide
focus groups and other initiatives to reach agreement on rich and rigorous standards for all
students.
Selected Accomplishments
Directed work with national, regional and local foundations on initiatives targeted at
getting measurable results in the Academic Transformation process; and
Built relationships with top-tier practitioners, researchers, foundations and educational
organizations to import best practices into CMSD classrooms in concrete ways with
faculty and staff.
Community Engagement
Serves as the CMSD spokesperson on academic matters to keep community members informed.
Communicates frequently and transparently on time-sensitive news about programs and policies
affecting the day-to-day running of schools and long-term initiatives. Generates sponsorship and
secures active participation for programs from students, parents, teachers, principals, faculty,
union leaders and district staff.
Resource Management, Fiscal Oversight, External Funding & Grants
Responsible for $184 million in federal funds awarded to the district. Manages an operating
budget of $43 million. Responsible for program resource and fiscal compliance for all state and
federal funds, including RttT, SIG, ARRA, EdJobs, IDEA, and Title I. Manages CMSD s
Consolidated Continuous Improvement Plan, the state of Ohio s Federal/State planning, funding
and compliance monitoring tool.
Selected Accomplishments
CMSD s Race to the Top Scope of Work ($27M over 4 years)
CMSD s School Improvement Grant ($9M per year over 4 years)
Gates Foundation Grant for Common Core Standards ($500,000, renewable)
NoVo Foundation Grant for SEL planning and implementation ($850,000 over four
years)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Cleveland Metropolitan School District
Chief Academic Officer October 2007 to Present
Senior leader responsible for academic programming, including curriculum and instruction,
leadership and growth, intervention services, and federal resources, for a 45,000 student urban
school district. Directs and supports the CMSD Academic Office leadership team of Deputy
Chiefs and Academic Superintendents, a portfolio of 112 schools, their principals, teachers and
staff with full accountability for the progress and academic standing of each CMSD school.
Gordon Resume Page Four
Responsible for evaluating all academic programs, tracking student progress and keeping
instruction aligned with state standards and the goals of the Academic Transformation Plan.
Provides support for targeted professional development programs designed to build principal and
teacher quality and capacity. Promotes district-wide accountability for all instructional leaders
and staff. Manages state, federal, and foundation-funded programming. Direct report and key
advisor to the Chief Executive Officer.
Olentangy Local Schools
Executive Director of Secondary Learning July 2006 to September 2007
Responsible for the academic programming for 13,000 students in grades 6-12 at an Excellent
rated suburban school district. Direct report and key advisor to the Superintendent of Schools.
Olentangy Liberty High School
Founding Principal August 2002 to June 2006
Instructional and operational leader of a start-up high school campus. Established a school
climate that ensured academic, artistic, and athletic excellence and quality. School rated
Excellent by the state of Ohio each year and was awarded the Ohio Award of Distinction for
outstanding achievement of students with disabilities.
Oregon City Schools, Clay High School
Principal August 2000 to July 2002
Managed campus of 1200 students at a suburban high school. Developed consensus around
criteria for evaluating student success. Designed rigorous, focused curriculum with critical
supports for student learning.
Toledo Public Schools, Calvin M. Woodward High School
Principal August 1999 to July 2000
Directed day-to-day school operations for 1300 urban high school students. Developed and
implemented school improvement strategies targeting student academic achievement, attendance
and parent engagement as key action areas.
Assistant Principal January 1998 to July 1999
Developed programs to improve school culture, co-curricular and extra-curricular athletics,
student incentive programs and community relations.
Mathematics Teacher August 1994 to December 1997
Focused on transitional mathematics, proficiency preparation and algebra.
New Orleans Public Schools, Francis T. Nichols High School
Mathematics Teacher August 1991 to June 1994
Delivered transitional math, integrated algebra and math proficiency preparation coursework.
Gordon Resume Page Five
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Walden University
Advanced Study in Educational Administration and Leadership (2003 to 2004; 2006 to 2007)
Ohio State University
Accelerated Superintendent Licensure Program (2004 to 2005)
Ohio Principal Leadership Academy
Advanced Study in Educational Administration & Leadership (2000 to 2002)
Bowling Green State University
Master of Education in Educational Administration and Supervision (December 1997)
Research work in Urban Education
Center for Occupational Research and Development
Train the Trainer Certification in Applied Mathematics (July 1992)
Bowling Green State University
Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education (May 1991)
LICENSING & CERTIFICATION
Administrative Licensure
Ohio 5 Year Superintendent License
Ohio 5 Year Assistant Superintendent License
Ohio 5 Year High School Principal License
Teaching Licensure
Ohio 8-Year 7-12 Mathematics Certification
Ohio 8-Year 7-12 Driver Education Endorsement
CURRENT BOARD & PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP
ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development), member (2007 to 2011)
ACE Mentor Program Cleveland Chapter, Board Vice President (2008 to 2011)
New Bridge Cleveland Center for Arts and Technology, Board Member (2009 to 2011)
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