Aaron Harper

-Provide senior leadership for a mission-driven workforce development organization serving 400+ students annually, advancing equitable access to career pathways -Lead organizational strategy and execution across program delivery, operations, and school partnerships, contributing to 240+ internship placements -Partner with executive leadership to drive strategic growth, expanding program reach while driving consistent achievement of 90%+ intern retention and completion outcomes -Cultivate and manage relationships with 85+ corporate employers and school partners, aligning workforce needs with talent development and strengthening long-term community impact -Oversee cross-functional teams and leaders, building a high-performance culture focused on accountability, results, and mission alignment -Implement data-driven decision-making and performance metrics to improve program effectiveness, measure impact, and support organizational sustainability -Contribute to external engagement efforts, supporting organizational visibility, partnerships, and stakeholder relationships across the community -Supported fundraising efforts contributing to $1.4 million in annual revenue.

-Led organizational initiatives impacting 450+ students and staff, driving improvements in performance, engagement, and equity outcomes -Developed and executed strategic plans that resulted in 1.5X improvement in key outcomes (Intern persistence, revenue growth goals, or program success metrics) -Partnered with leadership on donor and board engagement initiatives -Managed operations, staffing, and budgets, ensuring effective alignment of resources to mission priorities -Built strong partnerships with community stakeholders, families, and external organizations to enhance program reach and impact -Developed and coached emerging leaders, strengthening organizational leadership capacity and long-term sustainability

-Directed programs and teams supporting 450+ students/staff, focusing on improving educational outcomes and closing achievement gaps -Increased student performance and engagement through targeted strategy, resulting in 100% program satisfaction in key metrics (post-program surveys, supervisor & young professional recommendations) -Built collaborative partnerships with families, staff, and community stakeholders to strengthen program delivery and support student success -Managed budgets, staffing, and operations to ensure effective resource allocation and program performance -Developed and coached high-performing teams, fostering a culture of accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement

Specializing in educational leadership & management, mentoring and formally evaluating staff and delivering dynamic professional development.

Delivered approved curriculum using a variety of engaging activities and community building strategies. Developed powerful presentations, conducted seminars and facilitated a comprehensive evaluation process. Other essential duties also included the following: -Created and distributes course syllabus. -Delivered and ensured all learners met the standards of each course taught. -Utilized a variety of instructional strategies to engage learners. -Evaluated student performance based on rubrics and approved measurements. -Maintained accurate academic and behavioral records such as attendance, participation, and growth.

Chief Academic Officer responsibilities included but are not limited to: *Scholar Achievement: Ensured each scholar met and/or exceeded state by demonstrating mastery of a rigorous curriculum for success in career readiness or college preparedness and beyond. *Teacher and Leader Effectiveness: Assured that I.S.D. 4248 Schools had an effective teacher in every classroom, an effective leadership team and an effective employee in every position. *Performance-Based Culture–Created an environment for sustainable performance improvement and accomplishment of the District’s Vision, Mission, Core Goals and Core Beliefs. *Financial Sustainability–Organized and optimized resources for improved academic results. *Safe and Secure Schools–Ensured the safety and security of all scholars and staff throughout the District.

➢ Planned and executed all facets and phases of building a $98 million state of the art comprehensive high school including blueprint conception, determined allocation for $7.0 million FFE & technology budget and prioritized all curricular and personnel decisions. ➢ Provided purpose and direction for all staff, shaped school culture and values, and facilitated the development of a shared vision. Created a school culture focused on Academics, Activities, Technology and Relationships supportive of a student centered environment. ➢ Identified and implemented programmatic needs that improved the effectiveness of staff consistent with District mission and school vision. Hired, coached and evaluated all probationary and continuing contract staff (teachers, clerical, paraprofessionals, administration, etc.). ➢ Coordinated, implemented and evaluated the School Improvement Plan and aligned professional goals of staff with District Strategic Plan. ➢ Mentored leadership team in the areas of human development through coaching and due process. ➢ Served as the building 504 Site Coordinator. ➢ Implemented innovative initiatives in the areas of ninth grade academies, decision-making framework, mathematics, technology integration, and community and parent involvement.

➢ Created the process to recruit, retain, and coach all instructional and support staff. ➢ Provided programming and curriculum support to individual staff and faculty, as well as a wide variety of departments and programs. ➢ Partnered with Site Based Leadership team to implement collaborative academic achievement model for student success. ➢ Member of District Strategic Planning Review Advisory Board; Participated on subcommittees. ➢ Mentored all students in the areas of attendance, discipline, academics and core ethical values. ➢ Led innovative reforms in the areas of literacy (reading and writing), mathematics, and community and parent involvement.

➢ Developed and instructed approved courses in Ethical Issues and Leadership Theory for Administrators. Devised course syllabi and weekly lessons that addressed current issues and perspectives in educational leadership. Maintained a strong knowledge base of pedagogical practices for adult learners and assessed all aspects of student learner outcomes. ➢ Participated in faculty professional development activities.

Despite the importance of the principalship and the demands that are placed on principals today, relatively few principals receive ongoing professional development that enhances their ability to lead schools to high performance. The Principals Academy fills that gap by bringing to Minnesota the research-based program of the National Institute for School Leadership (NISL), an initiative of the Washington, D.C.-based National Center on Education and the Economy. The NISL executive development program was developed over six years with major support from national foundations and is being used to provide leadership development for school principals in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and many other states. Using the NISL program, the Minnesota Principals Academy enables cohorts of practicing principals to put leadership best practices from education, business, military and other fields to work on behalf of their students and schools. Delivered in two and three-day segments over the course of an 18 month program, the curriculum combines face-to-face instruction in workshops, seminars and study groups with interactive Web-based learning. Nine cohorts completed the program under the leadership of the College Readiness Consortium.

➢ Participated in the selection, orientation, assignment, supervision and evaluation of instructional and support staff. ➢ Supervised and administered attendance and discipline policies for over 650 students, grades 9-12 including consultations with parents, staff and/or community agencies. ➢ Developed, organized and presented staff development workshops in the areas of decreasing the achievement gap, authentic instruction, personalizing learning and building professional learning communities. ➢ Prepared master class schedules based on student registrations and staffing allocations for 1800 students and 100+ staff. ➢ Supervised staff to facilitate the achievement of personal and professional growth consistent with the District mission and Strategic Plan. ➢ Participated in site based decision-making committees, both at the building and district level. ➢ Enhanced educational opportunities, improved student achievement and increased interactions among students of color and staff of different cultures and races.

➢ Provided assistance to the principals and managed school activities, personnel, policies, and procedures. ➢ Administered discipline to members of 450 ninth grade students. ➢ Effectively communicated with teachers, parents and a diverse student population. ➢ Collaborated with district personnel regarding homebound instruction, alternative placement and expulsion hearings. ➢ Implemented transitional and support-based programs for ninth grade students. ➢ Organized Freshmen Orientation and all related activities.

➢ Cultivated and developed classroom learning communities. ➢ Challenged students with clear expectations and high standards ➢ Provided differentiated instruction to a diverse body of learners in the following courses: Biology, AP Biology, ESL Biology and General Biology. ➢ Coached football and track n' field.

➢ Developed and implemented Biology and Physical Science curriculum units. ➢ Assisted in the design of Individual Educational Programs (IEP’s). ➢ Coached football, girls basketball, track n' field.