Continuous Improvement Charter School

Omar Thomas

*.****.******@*****.*** 404-***-****

Objective

Passionate administrator who advocates for implementing student and staff continuous improvement programs and initiatives focused on raising academic and socio-emotional levels of students, improving educators teaching skills, and encouraging community involvement. Proactive leader and team player with proven track record of collaboration with trailblazing professionals to raise the level of instructional practices implemented and student achievement. Talent for implementing and developing new school programs, both academic and socio emotional, which assist at risk learners and challenge those perform above great level as well as gifted learners. Track record for turning around schools, coaching other leaders, promoting school engagement activities, creating the joy factor, ensuring students receive wrap around services, and managing a large budget. Student focused leader who champions access to academically rich school experiences for students with disabilities and English Language Learners and foster strong relationships with all members of the school community.

Experience

Principal December 2015 – Present

Brooklyn Dreams Charter School – National Heritage Academies Brooklyn, NY

Hire and evaluate school staff – growing teachers and deans to develop a strong team

Successfully navigated the school through two successful charter school renewals authorized by SUNY Board of Trustees.

Establish and maintain relationships with universities and community organizations – build the company brand

Facilitate parent education and involvement

Direct and coordinate educational, administrative, and counseling activities

Develop and implement school policy and procedure

Develop student growth and promote academic proficiency

Dean of Instruction 3-5 Sept 2015 – December 2015

Brooklyn Dreams Charter School – National Heritage Academies Brooklyn, NY

Provided leadership and supervision in the areas of instructional leadership, staff development, teacher observations, collaboration, staff evaluation, data analysis, operations, and finance.

Assisted to coordinate the School/Community Partnership Program to encourage parents and community leaders to provide support to the school in the areas of mentoring and volunteering.

Lead and coach a team of educators through weekly classroom observations and one-on-one meetings

Supported academic growth by providing feedback and evaluating educators

Supervised student discipline

Developed a strong instructional team committed to success and NHA’s mission and purpose

Managed parent and community relationships and maintain high levels of parent satisfaction

Promoted strong student achievement results

Curricular Specialist and Instructor August 2014 – Sept 2015

Boys Prep Bronx, NY

Helps directly manage Associate Teachers Program and curriculum auditor at a first-year school

Supervise implementation of comprehensive, standards-based math curriculum for grade one, including special education students

Confers with curriculum and assessment leaders across the network with improving curriculum development and implementation

Participated in school learning committee that involves examining effectiveness of educator products and outcomes

Co School Leader July 2013 – August 2014

Renew Schools New Orleans, LA

Prioritized and organized initiatives for the school, including 6 workgroups and 3 learning cohorts

Created and collected resources for the teachers, including planning templates, teacher observation protocols, and professional development tools

Coached staff of 12 to ensure education program fidelity and attainment of student goals

Liaised with other district leaders, external partners, city officials and Renew Charter School Management departments

Analyzed and provided recommendations for school programs on budget, personnel, and labor relations

Drove high impact priorities including, launching the school-wide afterschool program.

Ensure that behavioral expectations and school culture standards are met inside and outside of the classroom

Establish and monitor bus behavior/culture as well as cafeteria/meal time behavior and culture

Co-School Leader August 2012 – June 2013

Recovery School District New Orleans, LA

Oversee and execute events for the Principal

Coach and advise a teachers (Pre-K to 8th grade) to improve teacher effectiveness and professional development

Facilitate learning cohorts for school leaders to engage in dilemma consultations and strategically identify promising turnaround practices

Drive and coordinate critical initiatives: school policy development and analysis, strategic planning, community engagement, budget and operations, teacher talent sourcing and hiring, communications, special education initiatives, early childhood education, middle school education and facilities planning

Advise the Principal on key management practices, short/long-term strategy, operations, and turnaround model implementation

Ensure that behavioral expectations and school culture standards are met inside and outside of the classroom, including establishing and monitoring bus behavior/culture as well as cafeteria/mealtime behavior and culture.

Wrote and delivered presentations to 200+ teachers on pedagogy and cultivating school-community partnerships

Planned and developed the master schedule for 600+ students and 60+ teachers and staff members.

Managed administrative staff, to ensure high-levels of customer service was provided to all stakeholders

6th Grade Earth Science Teacher June 2009 – July 2012

KIPP South Fulton Academy Atlanta, GA

Developed and launched earth science curriculum for 75+ science grade students

Maintained a ~80% passing rate for students on the statewide end of year exam

Co-Chaired Career Day where various external partnerships were established for various student career development opportunities

Adapted lessons to meet individual needs by reviewing students’ backgrounds and learning needs through IEPs and pre-assessments

Coached boys basketball team to league

2nd, 3rd, & 4th Grade Elementary Education Teacher August 2005 – July 2009

Dekalb County Schools Dekalb, GA

Help created and delivered reading and curriculum for students in second grades and achieved a 100% pass rate on state reading assessments

Utilizes various “best practice” pedagogies including differentiation of instruction based on academic levels and learning styles to help children understand abstract concepts, solve problems, and develop critical thought processes.

Help designed science curriculum along research scientist in a Fernbank Science Center of Medicine educational science program.

3rd Grade Elementary Education Teacher August 2001– July 2005

Atlanta Public Schools Altanta, GA

Applied theories and pedagogues of Child Development and Political Science for curriculum development and implementation of curriculum for inner city, at-promise third grade children.

Responsible for an after-school program that exposed elderly to a host of social, cultural, spiritual and physical activities.

Facilitates students using interactive discussions and “hands-on” approaches to help students learn and apply concepts in Science,

Social Studies, Mathematics, and English.

Applies various pedagogies to help children understand abstract concepts, solve problems, and develop critical thought processes.

Education

University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Education - Philadelphia, PA

Ed.D, Mid-Career Doctorate in Educational Leadership

Expected graduation: July 2027

University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Education - Philadelphia, PA

M.S.Ed, School Leadership

Morehouse College- Atlanta, GA

B.A. Education

Activities

Principal Preparatory Academy 2018 - 2019

Principal Prep Academy is NHA’s internal pathway to help prepare deans for success in a principal position. The program is devoted to building upon each participant’s experience and knowledge base to increase their capacity to successfully lead an NHA school building. Each participant receives 360 feedback and participate in one-on-one coaching sessions with an assigned coach, focused on growing strengths to enhance their leadership abilities. Specific topics addressed through the lens of the NHA Principal Rubric which is derived from the Danielson Rubric include:

instructional leadership

developing school culture and a high performing team

foundational NHA processes and support

analyzing and interpreting data for instructional improvement

maximizing enrollment

handling challenging encounters

communicating with confidence

leading a change and improvement process

school accounting and budgeting

effective meeting practices

administrative excellence

2012 Schaumburg Teachers Association School Systems Leaders Fellowship 2012 – 2013

Participant in highly selective, year-long school district leadership development fellowship. Programming consists of individualized executive coaching and seven cohort seminars focused on:

District strategy: entry, strategy development, theories of action, and strategic resource management

Management, leadership, and political skill development: people management, communications, instructional leadership, community engagement, labor relations, and project management

Critical topics in education reform: human capital management, Common Core State Standards, and school turnaround

Studies in transformational leadership: exploration of the habits and mindsets of leaders who bring about dramatic change for students

Tilson Teachers Association Award for Excellence in Teaching Semi-Finalist 2007

Selected from teachers across the school for this annual award bestowed upon exceptional Tilson Teachers Association teachers

Coordinated tutorial program for at risk elementary students

Core

Expertise

Education Administration

Academic Progress Tracking

Curriculum Planning & Classroom Evaluation Methods

Student Discipline & Safety

Community Engagement

Student Engagement - Creating J-Factor in Schools

Teacher Mentoring

Special Education and ELL Advocate

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