Director of Student Learning & Innovation
Focused Systems. Smarter Data. Human-Centered Innovation.
Innovation succeeds when focus and execution align
My vision for this role is to drive positive student outcomes through strong, practical systems that promote instructional alignment, support personalized learning, and enable responsible innovation, so every Sage Oak student is prepared to thrive in learning and in life.
Why This Role, Why Now
Increasing Academic Demands
Higher standards and stakes require focused instructional systems
Diverse Learner Needs Across Programs
Multiple programs and learning environments make alignment essential
Data Without Clarity
Data exists, but actionability matters
Rapid AI Expansion Requires Clear Guardrails
AI is here - governance and literacy matter for responsible adoption
We are perfectly positioned at Sage Oak to strengthen and connect the work already underway into integrated systems that drive action.
The Priorities
These are not separate priorities, but rather they function as one integrated operating system for optimized student learning and innovation.
Actionable Data
Student Achievement
AI & Innovation
Curriculum Strategy: The Three Priorities in Action
Curriculum adoption and refinement is one key area where all three priorities converge
Curriculum Adoption & Refinement: A Unified Framework
Curriculum adoption and refinement exemplifies how all three priorities work together as one system:
Student Achievement Foundation
- •Clear adoption processes and cycles aligned to current research and CDE guidance
- •Standards-aligned curriculum selection ensuring grade-level rigor
- •Systematic evaluation against power standards
Data-Driven Evaluation
- •Ongoing analysis of student performance data to identify curriculum effectiveness
- •PLC cycles examining where curriculum supports or hinders mastery
- •Evidence-based refinement decisions driven by achievement patterns
AI-Enhanced Supplementation
- •AI tools generate targeted supplemental materials for identified skill gaps
- •Personalized learning resources that fill curriculum gaps in grade-level standards
- •Scalable, responsive curriculum enhancement without massive resource investment
What This Enables
How These Strong, Practical Systems Work Together
Student Achievement
Defines what matters
Actionable Data
Shows what's working
Innovation
Strengthens how we respond and scale impact
All three engines work together to integrate efforts into one coherent instructional system. Result = positive student outcomes
The Approach
Proven leadership strengths in systems-level decision making and implementation: prioritizing the work that matters most, aligning it across departments, and communicating it clearly so it translates into shared buy-in and consistent instructional action.
I Prioritize Initiatives That:
- Drive student achievement
- Reduce fragmentation for educators
- Build capacity instead of dependence
- Advance Sage Oak's mission by strengthening personalized, collaborative learning
Leadership in Practice:
- Focus: Instructionally sound decisions through clear, actionable data
- System alignment: Align standards → curriculum → assessment → supports
- Implementation: Clarity + routines = shared buy-in
- Teacher capacity: Build expertise through coaching, modeling, and structured professional learning
- Accountability: Measure impact → refine → scale
End Result:
- Improved student outcomes
- Data with purpose
- Human-centered, responsible innovation
- Cross-departmental collaboration and cohesion
- Students empowered to lead purposeful and productive lives
Leadership in Action: Teacher Voices
Testimonials from educators regarding current initiatives and implementation efforts
"Teacher portal…Game Changer! Love the teacher portal to guide what to teach to fill in gaps."
"The quick checks are goal-focused and easily accessible. Teachers love that this has been provided to them and they do not need to create them themselves."
"Quick checks allow for real-time teachable moments and increase parent awareness of their child's abilities and expectations. They are aware now of what is expected of students in different grade levels."
"The curriculum portal and standards alignment as a starting point for assigning a Learning Focus has been amazing! Implementation has gotten easier the more we do it."
"It was nice to have step by step instruction on how to use all of the pieces of the math app. Now that we have had exposure to quick checks and completing those and going through the process, this all makes more sense. Loved that we now have videos to support us and parents. The math app is a WIN WIN:)"
"The breakout session gave me better insight on how to access the math app. Carleen also spent time detailing each feature of the app. This helped me feel more confident and better prepared me for future meetings where I will explain to parents the benefits of utilizing the app. I now understand the importance of using both IXL and the math app together."
"I really think [the Power Standards Initiative] is the meat and bones of education. Curriculum is a framework and does not necessarily prepare and assess students for what they need to know (hence why we are seeing such significant learning gaps in the same areas across grades). This allows teachers to focus on what exactly needs to be taught, assess on those items, reteach to those that need it, and track/monitor student progress."
"Having easily accessible informal assessments is great! They are especially great for review for advanced students and provide teachable moments for students who have not mastered concepts."
In this role, I will lead and prioritize in ways that will achieve what matters most: aligned instructional systems, stronger outcomes, and scalable innovation, driving positive student-centered learning and outcomes across Sage Oak.