CURRICULUM VITAE

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ClaytishaWalden.com

Educator,Motivational Speaker and Author Get your Daily Dose Of Dr. Clay

Curriculum Vitae

Qualifications

Dedicated, resourceful education professional with proven ability to create and monitor policies, systems and practices that promote a safe learning environment; ensure a school culture that encourages continuous improvement for teachers and students; develop an environment that encourages open communication with colleagues, students, parents and the community; and mentors educators in the creation and implementation of class instruction, lesson plans aligned to the Next Generation Learning Standards; knowledgeable of annual professional performance reviews (APPR) of classroom teachers and building principals using Danielson Framework and the Multi-dimensional Principal Performance Rubric

2018 Education Policy Fellow; 2018 Future Superintendents Academy

Over twenty years of experience in the field of education as a Superintendent, educational administrator, principal, assistant principal and teacher from elementary to high school levels as well as college with ten years as a supervisor. Experience mentoring new administrators, principals, and instructional coaches
Leadership and organizational skills in conducting professional development
Knowledge of NYS Next Generation Learning standards and assessment, instructional programs, curriculum development and data analysis including strategies to meet the needs of Multilingual learners and Students with Disabilities
Strong background in literacy, Response to Intervention, special education, data driven explicit instruction
Motivational speaker and presenter

Educational Experience (K-12)

Collegiate Preparatory International Academy On-line School District 2020-present

Superintendent of Schools/Founder/CEO

Responsible for all functions related to instructional leadership and management of Collegiate Preparatory International Academy, private independent online school district in Connecticut. Engages in and oversees school initiatives of 4 school programs as it relates to instruction; operations; fiscal/budget management; staffing

Report to Advisory Board

Mount Vernon City School District 2016-2020

Associate School Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction

Responsible for all functions related to instructional leadership and management of Mt. Vernon City Schools which consists of 17 schools with a total enrollment of 8,000 students. Engages in and oversees school improvement initiatives as it relates to instruction; Oversee curriculum development, writing and planning, professional development, and analysis of school and districtwide student performance data. Supervise and evaluate content area specialists/standards administrators, district directors, instructional coaches, and principals. Led school leader monthly professional learning (PLC) meetings.

Increase of Schools in Good Standing with Reward School Designation; Successfully led removal of schools off of NYS low performing list
Established a culture of data analysis, professional development and collaboration through monthly administrator Professional Learning Community (PLC) sessions
Organized and led presentations for Administrative Retreats, School Board meetings and community meetings
Recruited and hired department directors, instructional coaches to create a Curriculum and Instructional Team support structure for all schools within the district

Report to Deputy Superintendent and Superintendent of Schools

New York State Education Department 2013-2016

Associate in School Improvement (K-12)

Engaged in and oversaw school improvement initiatives of identified Reward, Focus, Priority and Receivership schools; Reviewed improvement plans of identified districts and schools; Led school and district reviews; Facilitated professional development sessions to build school district capacity.

v Led the training of school district teams in writing three year Strategic Plan for School Excellence as a NYS pilot through webinars and face to face sessions

Reason for Leaving: Opportunity to gain experience at school district level as Superintendent (Promotion)

EdConnective, Inc. 2013-2016

Online Instructional Coach (K-12)

Serves as a part-time virtual instructional coach (independent contractor) to school districts, administrators and teachers nationally (in NY and NC) to improve teacher practices to impact student achievement outcomes.

Biondi Elementary School 2010-2013

Elementary School Principal

Led and directed the overall activities for elementary school students in K-6 school setting of students with special needs. Scope of position includes: staff recruitment, development and evaluation; fiscal management of budget of $3,000,000; program initiatives; professional development sessions; formal and informal observations of staff.

Increased level of proficiency by 15% overall in ELA and Math of Students with Disabilities
Established a culture of data analysis, professional development, technology and collaboration
Implemented research based curriculum in literacy, mathematics explicit instruction

Reason for Leaving: Opportunity for Advancement to travel aboard observing schools in London & Dublin/ Defense of dissertation

NYC Department of Education

Secondary School Principal - Tenured Brooklyn, NY 2005-2010

Led and directed the overall activities for middle school and high school student body of 500 students and 60 faculty and staff members. Scope of position includes: staff recruitment, development and evaluation; fiscal management of budget of $4,000,000; program initiatives; professional development sessions; formal and informal observations of staff.

Accomplishments – Frederick Douglass Academy

Collaboration of All City Leadership Secondary School PSAL program
Expansion of Partnerships (Violin Foundation program, Chess program, etc.).
Successful supervisory compliance achieved in special education and bilingual programs
Increased High School credit accumulation of students by 100% from a “D” to a “B” on School Report Card

Accomplishments- William Gaynor Middle School

1st place winner in the 2008 NBC Universal Digital/ Think Quest Multi-media competition for a student created film on healthy choices (It can be viewed at http://vimeo.com/872063). Integrated technology across the content areas where classrooms are outfitted with a smart board, LCD projectors and laptop carts to effectively engage the 21st century learner
Increased the reading proficiency rate by 26% to the highest level on NYS English Language Arts exam for Levels 3 and above (which is the highest increase since 1999)
Met AYP in the areas of mathematics (2008-2009) and science (2005 -2007)
Increased mathematics proficiency by 37% in Grade 8 from 2006 to 2009
Increased the level of literacy through writing across the content areas, all school reading initiative
Conducted professional development sessions on literacy, numeracy and data analysis
Reduced student discipline rate by more than 60% by implementing student discipline program

Reason for Leaving: Opportunity to gain experience as appointed elementary school principal

NYC Dept. of Education 2002-2005

Assistant Principal – Appointed Brooklyn, NY

Supervised English Language Arts Department, Languages Other Than English, Arts Education and Special Education Departments. (Middle and High School).

Accomplishments – Juan Morel Campos Secondary School

Provided instructional leadership and professional development in the areas of English Language Arts, and the workshop model across the content areas
Responsible for student discipline and building safety as well special school events and assemblies
Supervised elementary summer school academy and early childhood program 2002-2005 (D. 14)

Reason for Leaving: Opportunity for Advancement as Principal (Promotion)

NYC Dept. of Education

Teacher – Appointed and Tenured 1996 - 2002

Taught Integrated Global History Humanities Curriculum, English and U.S. History and Government Regents Preparatory Courses

Created Interdisciplinary units in K-4th grade, 6th through 8thGrade Social Studies

Accomplishments – Bread and Roses Integrated Arts High School

Created Student Mentor Program and Compiled a School Governance Structure
Trained New Educator Support Coach Teacher for New Teachers
Worked in graduation portfolios (Coalition of Essential Schools)

Reason for Leaving: Achieved tenure; Opportunity for advancement at secondary school level as Assistant Principal (Promotion)

Collegiate - Level Educational Experience

Pace University New York, NY 2020-present

Adjunct Faculty, Clinical Supervisor/Student teacher supervision, School of Education

Western Governor University Salt Lake City, UT 2014-2020

Adjunct professor, Student teacher supervision, School of Education – Online program

Columbia University New York, NY May 2014

Guest Speaker Attendance: The Missing Link to Student Achievement

PD Session, Urban School Leaders Program, Houston TX Independent School District

New Jersey City University Jersey City, NJ Spring 2010

Adjunct professor, Elementary and Secondary Education Department

Queensborough Community College, City University of New York Queens, NY Fall 2009

Guest Lecturer A Principal’s Perspective

Purchase College State University of New York Purchase, NY Spring 1995

Teaching Assistant

Tutored students in coursework and exam preparation; prepared notes and assisted professor; assisted students

Graduate Education

California Coast University Santa Ana, CA April 2014

Doctor of Education in Educational Administration

Dissertation Title: “Toward the Development of a 21st Century Urban School Leadership Model in Non-Public Special Education Schools” G.P.A. 3.25

Newburgh Theological Seminary Newburgh, IN December 2013

Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Education

Dissertation Title: “Developing Character and Values in Children: How Schools can Incorporate Values in the Curriculum" G.P.A. 3.0

American Fellowship Church Carmel, CA May 2010

Honorary Doctor of Divinity

Baruch College - City University of New York New York, NY May 2001

Master of Science in Educational Administration and Supervision (K-12) G.P.A. 3.8

College of Mount Saint Vincent Riverdale, NY Jan. 1999

Master of Science in Urban and Multi-cultural Education

Concentration in Middle School Education and Special Education G.P.A. 4.0

Undergraduate Education

New York Lighthouse Christian College and Seminary Brooklyn, NY August 2013

Bachelor of Arts in Ministry

Purchase College- State University of New York Purchase, NY May 1996

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics Magna Cum Laude G.P.A. 3.8 Dean’s List: 1992-1996

Manhattanville College Purchase, NY May 1996

Secondary Education – Social Studies, Grades 7-12

New York State Provisional Certification in Social Studies, Grades 7-12 G.P.A. 3.8

National Certifications and Interstate Licensure

National Principal Mentor Certification (K-12)

NJ Certificates of Eligibility as Principal and School Administrator

Passed School Leaders Licensure Assessment for the following states: Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, US Virgin Island

Passed School Superintendent Assessment for the following states: Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, US Virgin Island

New York State Certifications and Licensure

NYS School District Administrator (SDA) -permanent

New York City Principal – DHS, JHS, Elementary

NYS School Administrator/Supervisor (SAS) -permanent

New York City Social Studies – DHS, JHS

NYS Social Studies Teacher, Grades 7-12 -permanent

New York City Educational Administrator

Special Training

Metro Education Policy Fellow 2018
Future Superintendents Academy 2018
2018 National Title I Conference 2018
NYSED English Language Learner/Multilingual Learner District Leadership Institute 2016 - 2019
Participated in New York State Think Tank Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) 2016 - 2017
AVID College Readiness System District Director Training 2016 - 2018
PDK Educational Tour Scholarship Recipient to London and Dublin Schools 2013
National Principal Mentor Certification Program, NAESP/ Nova southeastern University 2011
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development - National Conference 2009
Harvard University – Graduate School of Education- National Urban School Leaders Conference 2008
National Conference on Differentiated Instruction - Staff Development for Educators 2007
Presenter, Principal’s Network Conference, Expository Writing 2006
National Principal’s Conference - ATLAS Learning Communities 2006 - 2008
NYC Leadership Academy - Principal Support Program 2005 - 2009

Speaking engagements/Presentations

Data Presentation, Mt. Vernon School Board Meetings and Community Meetings 2016-present
Guest, Radio Show, Positive Divas/ Motivational Speaker – Annual Women’s Conference 2017
Host, Destiny By Destiny weekly Blog Talk Radio Show 2014
Facilitator, DTSDE Orientation for School Leaders, New York Education Department 2014
Presenter, Professionalism in the Workplace, Leake and Watts Management 2011 - 2013
Presenter, Future Educators Association, 21st Century Education 2011
Invited Presenter, ASCD National Conference, Community Engagement to Impact Student Engagement 2010
Invited Presenter, NAESP National Conference, Adolescents: How to Reach Them and Teach Them 2010
Guest Lecturer, Queens borough Community College, A Principal’s Perspective 2009
Presenter, Fall Forum National Conference, Coalition of Essential Schools, It Takes a Village 2009
Presenter, Principal’s Network Conference, Expository Writing 2006

BOARD MEMBERSHIPs

National Council of Negro Women, Flatbush Chapter, Financial Secretary, 2015 - 2018

The Bridge, a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization that has developed into one of New York City's premier rehabilitation agencies offering mental health, substance abuse treatment, housing, vocational training, job placement and creative arts therapies, 2010 - 2013

Community Activities/ Affiliations

Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development

National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc.

Association of Black Educators of New York National Council of Negro Women

Order of Eastern Star, Rachel Chapter Ordained NYS Chaplain

Awards and Recognition

Rising Star Leadership Award 5Linx Enterprises, Inc. 2013
Induction in 2010-2011 Phi Delta Kappa International Class of Emerging Leaders 2011
Ministry In Action, Hall of Fame, Community Service Award, Brown Memorial Baptist Church 2010
Executive Leadership Award, Community Leadership Support Organization – NYC Department of Education 2008
Women’s History Certificate of Recognition, The Association of Black Educators of New York, Inc. 2008
Principal’s Award, Community Education Council – School District 14 2006
Distinguished Ministry in Action Alumna Award, Brown Memorial Baptist Church 2005
Distinguished Service Award, Brown Memorial Baptist Church 2002

PUBLICATIONS

Special Education Leadership 101: A Framework for 21st Century Urban School Principals and Leaders 2016
Lord, We Pray To You: A Collection of Family Prayers for Parents and Children 2016 Daughters of Destiny, Unlock Your VISION: Seven Steps to Realizing Your Vision and Fulfilling Your Destiny 2016
Destiny By Destiny, Hold On to the Vision, Prayer Point Book 2015