Simone Saad
Plano
Summary
Self-motivated school Principal with assertive and outcome-driven nature. Skilled leader with over 16 years of experience leading school staff members and education programs. Motivational principal excels in team building, culture-improving and performance-increasing initiatives. Demonstrating versatility in leadership approaches to acquire active participation in collaborative activities. Goal-oriented, driven to help students focus on learning by maintaining discipline and equipping teachers with successful classroom strategies. An organizational leader who exercises honed competencies in development, implementation and execution of performance-enhancing programs. Outstanding skills in parent communication, conflict resolution and staff management. Known for consistently supporting faculty and staff as advocate leader.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal
Al Durrah International School, K-12
09.2021 - Current
- Successfully led school to its first international accreditation through New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
- Improved The Ministry of Education National School Grading from Acceptable to Good
- Nominated to The Sharjah Private Education Authority Principal Council member - 2nd year.
- Created successful marketing strategies.
- Responsible for academic, operational, fiduciary, and overall school quality and accountability
- Trained Middle Leaders to guide teachers in creating more effective IEPs, quarterly Reports, and Annual Reports
- Developed explicit, targeted, and measurable goals and objectives through the analysis and utilization of data to ensure continuous improvement.
- Hired, developed, and inspired a team of 276 teachers and staff members to work cooperatively toward improving student performance.
- Created/implemented professional development utilizing different delivery methods to key management team, teachers, and support staff.
- Monitored through weekly surveys and data analysis.
- Developed and designed programs to motivate and engage all staff.
- Worked effectively to prioritize and resolve urgent operational and talent opportunities.
- Planned Fundraising initiatives and fostered alumni involvement.
- Created international university partnerships to best serve graduates.
- Successfully designed and executed a school wide plan raising Al Durrah International School inspection rating from prior years.
- Executed a strategic growth plan for Al Durrah International School, achieving 100% capacity in student enrolment.
- Lead a team of 260 staff, 1305 students, with direct oversight of Finance, HR, Marketing, and IT which saw 23% increase in student enrolment over the course of 9 months.
- Led several international accreditation processes as a Senior leader over 5 years; NEASC, and CIS
- Responsible for creating new strategic recruitment policy, which lead to a more fluid systematic hiring process.
- Led the creation of a Diversity Committee, Happiness Team, and a Teachers Council, which works to enhance inclusivity on campus, leading to higher staff retention and a healthier culture overall.
- Implemented a new innovative organizational improvement initiative at Al Durrah International School, effectively engaging all stakeholders in system wide collaborative projects to achieve the desired strategic goals.
- Led the implementation of an instructional coaching and mentoring program which resulted in enhancing the quality of teaching practices.
- Cultural change was achieved through the development of student/staff well-being programs.
- The strategic implementation of this initiative resulted in an overall improved engagement and enhanced mental well-being throughout the campus.
- Cultivated positive relationships between community members, school students, and teachers.
- Researched and incorporated new educational trends and instructional strategies to optimize education effectiveness.
- Established instructional practices driven through statistical performance data.
Founding Principal
St. Mary’s Private School K-12
01.2019 - 01.2021
- RAKEZ - “Best New Start-up” Award.
- Achieved a culture of teacher autonomy by introducing shared leadership practices.
- Fostered collective decision-making processes amongst teachers.
- Analyzed data to Improve teacher performance through PLC’s and differentiated Professional development.
- Managed entire school academic, administrative, operational aspects of school operation.
- Created, reviewed, and updated entire school policies and procedures.
- Directly managed and systematically monitored the impact of change processes to Stakeholders.
- Responsible for academic, operational, fiduciary, and overall school quality.
- Developed fundraising events and organized campaigns that lead to donations.
- Proven record of developing and implementing school policies to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Prepared school budget and submitted to school board with recommendations for hiring, capital expenditures, and cost-saving initiatives.
- Founded performance- and merit-based evaluation system to assess staff performance.
Academic Vice Principal
Abu Dhabi Educational Council
01.2013 - 01.2019
- Established Stakeholder accountability by assuring they were aware of Professional Development goals and plans.
- Developed and led professional development workshops for community and staff.
- Strong experience with teacher evaluation, monitoring, and Instructional Leadership.
- Leadership role in assisting teachers to meet the needs of all students: IEP programs.
- Successfully utilized school performance data to set academic goals that led to exponential growth in literacy writing.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Used strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop effective solutions for challenging situations.
Assistant Principal
Austin High School
01.2012 - 04.2013
- Ensured data quality for campus reports / evaluate instructional programs based on data.
- Technology / Project manager.
- Supervised, managed, recommend for hire/termination, and evaluate building personnel.
- Oversaw staff development and in-service efforts.
- Customer Service Ambassador 2013. / Wellness Committee Advisor 2013.
- Ensured the implementation of district/campus policies and procedures.
- Oversaw and ensured implementation of the campus improvement plan.
- Collaborated with outside agencies to implement intervention plans (CIP/TAP).
- Managed attendance, discipline, and special education for My assigned Students.
Teacher
FORTBEND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
12.1999 - 07.2007
- Teacher - American History- Garcia Middle School - Grades 8 - 1999-2001
- Teacher - Texas History - Sartartia Middle School Grade 6 - 2001-2002
- Teacher- Physical Education and Web Mastering - Thurgood Marshall High School - Grades 9 thru 12 - 2002-2007
- Incorporated multiple types of teaching strategies into classroom.
- Graded and evaluated student assignments, papers, and course work.
- Incorporated exciting and engaging activities to achieve student participation and hands-on learning.
- Communicated frequently with parents, students, and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
- Worked cooperatively with other teachers, administrators, and parents to help students reach learning objectives.
Education
Doctor of Education - Educational Technology and Design
Walden University
Minnesota05.2023
Master of Science - Educational Leadership
Walden University
Minnesota06.2007
Bachelor of Science - Education
Huron University
South Dakota06.1999
Skills
- Policy and procedure development
- Standards of excellence
- Instructional leadership
- Relationship building and networking
- Communications expert
- Staff Management
- Community Relations
- Curriculum Development
- Organizational Leadership
- Technology Integration
- Performance Standards and Analysis
- Financial Leadership
- Performance Evaluations
- Performance Improvement
- Policy and Procedure Development
Timeline
Principal
Al Durrah International School, K-12
09.2021 - Current
Founding Principal
St. Mary’s Private School K-12
01.2019 - 01.2021
Academic Vice Principal
Abu Dhabi Educational Council
01.2013 - 01.2019
Assistant Principal
Austin High School
01.2012 - 04.2013
Teacher
FORTBEND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
12.1999 - 07.2007
Doctor of Education - Educational Technology and Design
Walden University
Master of Science - Educational Leadership
Walden University
Bachelor of Science - Education
Huron University
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