Irma Alicia López-Barajas

Home/Cell: 616-***-**** adlq04@r.postjobfree.com

Summary:

Proven ability to provide leadership, supervise teams, and build relationships. Fast learner with an exceptional work ethic; dedicated, flexible, and team player.

Education:

Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI 2002

MA, Counseling Ed. / Counseling Psychology dual degree (LLP & TLPC) and a School Counselor’s License

Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI 1999

BA, major in Psychology, minor in Spanish

GRJC; Associates of Arts 1995

Bilingual (Fluent Spanish/English)

Computer skills (TR, Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, Publisher, GroupWise, WATER, Synergy, Google Docs, and gmail)

5E Training

Leadership Matters, through KISD

Leadership Academy, through VanAndel

Thinking Maps

Zoom, Google Meet, Team, Webex, GoToMeeting,

Muskegon Public Schools (July 1, 2017 - Present)

Administrator; McKinney V. Muskegon County Grant Coordinator/MTSS District Coordinator

October 2019 - Present

Lead necessary changes to improve service delivery to county consortium.

Responsible for monitoring and ensuring institutional compliance with state regulations pertaining to McKinney Vento Grant.

Responsible for writing and managing grant funds and compliance.

Guide and oversee the development, documentation, and implementation of McKinney Vento Grant for county and adhere to state compliance requirements.

Responsible for gathering, monitoring, assessing, and reporting to Michigan Department of Education. Use data and assessments for change and improvement of initiatives.

Responsible for the state reporting requirements.

Coordination with all Muskegon county public school districts and private and charter schools in consortium.

Responsible for resolve concerns, complaints, and disputes including follow-up and documentation for accountability reporting and process improvement opportunities.

Responsible for completing annual evaluations and identify training needs for county representatives, and district administrators.

Lead, prepare for and coordinate annual audits, as well as state program reviews, as needed.

Responsible for handle highly sensitive information and confidential records and materials in compliance with state and regulations.

Led improvement of culture, climate, and behavior of middle school with research based strategies.

Responsible for supervising, evaluating, hiring, and approvin payroll for staff from multiple programs.

Chief of Staff

July 2017 - October 2019

Assist the Superintendent and Board of Education in promoting good internal and external relations with staff and community.

Support the superintendent through coordination and communication, with a focus on the district’s plan to improve student achievement and the coordination and communication around implementation of the district’s plan to improve achievement for all students along with communication with the Board of Education.

Coordinate and communicate with community partner organizations.

Coordinated student organizations to incorporate student voice to the District’s work.

Represented the Superintendent in his absence

Collaborate with the Human Resource Department to ensure and assist in recruiting/retention processes that promote a diverse workforce reflective the population we serve.

Developed and maintained ongoing and effective two-way communication with staff, students, parents, families, community partners, and the community at large.

Responsible for making data driven decision

Coordinated Grant and Youth Programs for the district.

Must recognize, maintain and keep in trust all confidential information pertaining to the office of the Superintendent and Board of Education.

Coordinate and assist with extended learning opportunities, assist in community work across Muskegon County

Coordinate all District academic and nonacademic operations and activities including District operations and initiatives, and information flow from District Staff to and from the Board of Education.

Oversee the execution of the Superintendent’s Administrative Guidelines

Review and assess district policies, practices, and decisions for impact on equity, and increase transparency on how district decisions and policies impact equity

Coordinate the development of the Blueprint for Advancement.

Serve as a member of the MPS Executive Leadership Cabinet.

Represent the Superintendent at meetings of staff and community groups, as requested.

Grand Rapids Public Schools (1991 – June 30, 2017)

Director for the Office of Extended Learning (OEL) and Workforce Investment Act (WIA)

June 2013 – June 30, 2017

Manages operations, training, budgets and works closely with senior staff to identify best practices and initiate improvement for student success, regulatory compliance and other departmental goals and objectives.

Lead and assist with the grant writing process.

Maintain working knowledge of all provider contracts related to 21st Century and ASCET grants.

Ensure compliance with State and district standards and best practices.

Plan and anticipate program staffing needs, including; interview, hire, train, provide direct supervision, and conduct employee evaluations.

Incorporate student voice in all programing.

Provides strategic leadership over daily operations regarding federal regulations, processes and student service and success within the department.

Develop and implement professional development for all staff.

Maintain strong working relationships with Michigan Department of Education, Department of Human Services, contracted providers, ASCET, B2B and other community partners.

Use analysis, experience and logical methods for program development and problem solving in collaboration with partners.

Lead the development of marketing and recruitment strategies.

Represent the district on various state and local committees.

Lead data review teams with staff and provider agencies to evaluate and improve program quality.

Approve, monitor, and review budget expenditures for grant dollars in cooperation with the business office.

Act as a liaison between GRPS, provider agencies, community agencies, and community.

OEL

Monitor and ensure DHS licensing compliance.

Monitor and ensure timely and accurate submission of MDE required data through EZ Reports, YPQA, Annual Reports and MSU.

Maintain appropriate documentation and reports for various MDE evaluations and audits.

Organize and develop program events that involve community partnerships.

Assist, train and ensure all sites use and implement PBIS, aligned with the school day, with fidelity.

ASCET

Develop and implement student training and development workshops that support ASCET 21st century workforce readiness skills and prepare students for college and career readiness.

Provide students with education and support for college and/or career readiness.

Coordinate students’ Educational Development Plan in student programming.

Build relationships with students, individually and collectively, that will assist students with:

oDeveloping self-awareness and understanding

oIdentifying problem and decision making skills

oSetting goals

oDeveloping an individual educational/employability plan

oImproving academic performance and completing graduation requirements.

Monitor the development of worksite and internship development.

Develop and implement student recruitment criteria and strategies that promote youth services to schools, students, parents and business community.

Provide students with workforce opportunities that may be underrepresented.

Ensure development of appropriate job placement opportunities and student assistance.

Ensure compliance with all ASCET rules and regulations.

Monitor and ensure timely and accurate submission of ASCET required data and reports.

Maintain and prepare appropriate documentation and reports for onsite visits, validation and monitoring reviews conducted by ASCET.

Monitor and review case management on a weekly basis.

Assistant Principal

Burton Middle, Harrison Middle, Alger Middle, Westwood, and SWCC

2004 – June 2013

Worked with the building principal and Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) to implement the district’s Instructional Model.

Supported the initiatives of student success and retention.

Designed plans for student support and academic intervention with the building Instructional Conducted Credit/Unit Recovery Data Reviews.

Monitored student failure rates, absenteeism rates, and suspension rates of all individual teachers.

Leadership Team and Student Study Team.

Assisted the building principal with an efficient process for student scheduling.

Observed and conferenced with teachers and conducted Learning Walks.

Lead Professional Learning Communities (PLC’s) in one or more content areas as assigned.

Supported the building’s work in the Community Engagement Model and with community partnerships. Actively cultivate positive relationships with students, parents, teaching staff, community agencies, and administration.

Implement PBIS, train and ensure it is used throughout the building.

Use the MIBLISI data to drive change and improvements in the building and both academically and behaviorally.

Co-facilitate child study team with psychologist.

Enhanced the development of a Parent Action Leadership team to enhance parent involvement in the school.

Bilingual Intervention Specialist/Psychologist/Bilingual Diagnostic Team

Special Education/West Middle

2002 – 2004

Participated in building Child Study Teams, served as Building Coordinator for individual buildings as assigned by Area Special Education Supervisor.

Reviewed documentation of student disability, made determinations of and assisted with the implementation of accommodations to promote student success.

Participated in Area meetings with Special Education Supervisor.

Participated in district wide School Psychologist meetings.

Conducted initial evaluations of students suspected of having a learning impairment.

Conducted “three year” reevaluations and conferenced with parents and classroom teachers.

Served as case coordinator for students referred for a learning disability assessments.

Provided support to teachers and school social workers in the development of Student Support Plans to promote student success.

Use data to drive change/improvements in building climate for both staff and students.

Worked cooperatively with community agencies involved with students and families.

Supported individual School Improvement Plans.

Maintained documentation, data collection, and academic progress on all students.

Provided consultative service to faculty regarding disability accommodations, classroom conflicts and/or staff/student relationships.

Supported the initiatives of student success and retention.

Behavior Intervention Specialist

Burton Middle

2000 – 2002

Worked intensively with identified students, teachers and families to cooperatively develop and implement behavior plans.

Cultivated and maintained an effective working relationship with identified students, families, teachers and community agencies and other referral sources.

Referred students to outside agencies/services.

Maintained accurate written documentation of interventions and academic progress of students.

Met with students and their parents/guardians to develop implement, coordinate, monitor, modify and evaluate individual student improvement plans/goals and home support plans.

Met with students referred by the building principal for help with attendance problems and helps with self-awareness, understanding, problem solving and decision making skills.

Prepared written reports as requested by building principal and Assistant Superintendent.

Promoted a school environment that will enable learning to occur in a meaningful manner in a climate of high expectations for self, staff, student and parents.

Use data to support student plans for academic and behavioral changes.

Assisted the building leader with the development and implementation of the District’s strategic plan at the building level, including non-traditional learning environments, community service learning and individual student educational plans.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

1991- 2000

Various departments in GRPS

Achievements:

Presented on Racism Toward Bi-Cultural Marriages at Grand Valley State University’s Student Scholarship Day, April 14, 1999.

A Founder of Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority Inc., Grand Valley Chapter, a nationwide sorority for Latin women, in 1999.

Committee member for GRPS 1st International Family Conference

Latino Youth Conference Chair (2005) and Committee member for GRPS/GRCC, 2000-2006

Board Member and Treasurer of the Mexican Heritage Association, 2004-2009

Yo Puedo volunteer since 2000-2013

Member of the Latino Mental Task Force, 2006-2012

MASSP, 2013 -

MAA PD Committee member 2016-2018

Muskegon Art Museum Board 2017-2018

Muskegon County Continuum of Care, CoC, Network Board member 2017-

Executive Committee for the Muskegon County Homeless Continuum of Care Network 2019-

Presented for MDE Special Population Conference 2018

Presented for MDE Special Population Conference 2020

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