Daniel R. Mitchell
************@*****.*** https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielrmitchell/ 832-***-**** • Houston, TX
Dynamic academic professional with 15+ years of progressive experience in development and implementation of educational and support services to promote intellectual, social, and spiritual development. Strategic leader directing personnel, policies, and initiatives in Higher Education for advancing student and organizational success. Mentor and education advocate nurturing diversity and effectively preparing first-generation students for college. Highly successful at recruiting, advising, and supporting students in reaching their educational and career goals. Areas of Expertise include:
Student Recruitment & Retention Student Mentoring & Coaching Educational Outreach
Support Services Administration Academic Intervention Strategies Strategic Partnerships
Academic Program Management Inclusive Teaching Methodologies Leadership & Collaboration
Academic Experience
Charter Substitute School Network, Houston, December 2018 to Present
This organization is an out-sourced recruiting firm that recruits only certified teachers and positions them in public charter schools for the purpose of actually teaching and helping students continue to learn. Our teachers are not called “substitute” teacher, we are referred to as “guest” teachers.
Community Coordinator
Program of Academic Exchange (pax.org), United States State Department, Port Chester, NY, May 2018 to Present
Recently hired and currently going through the State Department’s legal foreign student exchange training program, the most prestigious program in the world, for obvious reasons. Part-time position and I will keep this position.
Debate and Speech Team Head Coach and Teacher
Spring Branch Independent School District, Houston, 2015 to August 2017, Retired before Hurricane
Harvey’s Houston Floods
Motivated and prepared students to compete in challenging local, state, and national speech and debate competitions. Created and implemented lessons on the analysis, arguments, and discourse of complex social and policy issues. Established an inclusive, but an intellectually demanding, learning environment to address the needs of students with a variety of backgrounds, learning styles, and abilities. Monitored ongoing student pros and executed intervention strategies to boost tournament performances. Led district-wide outreach effort on the importance of encouraging argumentation and debate classes to become a formal 4-year academic track option for students. Recruited future debaters in the feeder middle schools. SBISD had at least 58 distinct refugee language groups, virtually all of which were severely financially impoverished and English deficient. Because of absolute necessity, became an expert and persistent vocal advocate for first generation college students and their extended families.
Key Accomplishments:
•Took my top three speech and debate teams to Harvard’s International High School Invitational Forensics Tournament in 2016, the largest and most prestigious high school debate tournament in the world.
•Collaborated with teachers across all local ISD communities to build a world-class debate program.
•As a former full-ride academic scholarship member of University of Houston’s nationally-ranked debate team, promoted higher critical thinking modalities and research, emphasizing the Socratic methodology and group work.
Full-Time Substitute Head Librarian and Substitute Teacher
Katy Independent School District, Katy, TX, 2013 to 2015
Carried out instructional and classroom management processes in the absence of the full-time teacher in a public school setting. Delivered lessons for secondary education to a diverse student population. Created a supportive environment promoting learning, collaboration, and cooperation. Received teacher-of-record responsibilities in CTE courses. Utilized these 2 years to enter and successfully complete an approved Texas ACP program, along with certifications in 3 distinct CTE areas of coursework.
Key Accomplishments:
•Delivered differentiated instruction and engaging activities using kinesthetic, visual, and auditory teaching methods to promote success among students varying in age and aptitude.
•Adapted teaching to meet learning objectives while maintaining established rules, policies, and procedures of the classroom, school, and district.
Academic Theology Teacher and Head Debate Coach
Second Baptist Church High School, Houston, 2007 to 2011
Taught Biblical and Theological Studies courses to diverse high school students. Built and delivered comprehensive curriculum and effective assessment system based on quality standards, rigorous curriculum design, classroom technology, and innovative teaching strategies.
Key Accomplishments:
•Developed annual two-week, pre-Spring Break, official student tour of Texas colleges for our students and their families.
•Key liaison between church faculty, parents, and students for increasing referrals and enrollment. Developed and implemented highly-effective student recruitment strategies.
•Served in extracurricular leadership roles, including Head Coach and Judge for debate, public speaking, and events.
Executive Pastor and Teaching Pastor
Grace Community Bible Church, Richmond, TX, 1996 to 2005
Oversaw general administration of the organization. Provided instruction, training, and advice to staff. Oversaw all financial performance duties, including accounting, annual budget management, reporting, income reconciliations, cash flow management and review, tax preparation in compliance with state and federal policies and regulations.
Graduate School Student and Grad-School Recruiter
Dallas Theological Seminary, 1992-1995
Developed strategic partnerships with colleges throughout Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Waco, Fort Worth, and Dallas for promoting seminary degree programs and recruiting/advising prospective graduate students. Expertly paired potential students’ educational, career, and personal goals with academic programs and student support services.
Key Accomplishments:
•Selected as one of four students to represent Dallas Theological Seminary in off-campus student recruitment.
•Consistently met recruitment goals playing an integral role in boosting retention rates, application submissions, and enrollment numbers.
•Served as education liaison between prospective students, graduates, and faculty/staff by enhancing communication and understanding of school programs with student needs, especially in the areas matching course selection with matriculation schedule.
Education & Training
Student, Master’s Degree in Information and Library Science
Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California
Student, Doctor of Ministry in Executive Leadership
Denver Seminary, Littleton, CO
Master of Theology in Academic Theology (an Advanced Research Degree)
Dallas Theological Seminary
Bachelor of Science in Political Science
University of Houston, Central Campus
Texas Secondary Public ISD School Teacher Certifications
Business Education (6-12), Speech/Debate (7-12), Marketing & Entrepreneurship (8-12)