Revised Vita

After reviewing comments, the book again, and some other vitas at colleague's blogs, I have revised my vita. Please let me know what you think. Thanks!

                                     Jody L. Kotys

3412 Running Deer Drive ~ El Paso, TX 79936-1825

Home Phone (915) 590-5762 ~ Email JKotys@aol.com

PERSONAL

As a superintendent, I expect to be an instructional leader building effective strategies to engage, challenge and support students in 21^st century learning practices.

EDUCATION / CERTIFICATION

Superintendent                       Lamar University (in Progress)

Certification Program

M.Ed.                                      Educational Administration, Sul Ross University,   2003

M.Ed.                                      Computer Applications, Nova Southeastern University, 1994

BS.                                          English Major/Urban Ed. Minor, Kent State University, 1978

Various Graduate Courses: Kent State University, Texas Tech University, Stephen F. Austin University, Baylor University, University of Texas, Colorado School of Mines, UTEP

Principal’s Certification          6-12 Texas 2004, 2009

Teacher Certification              Ohio, Montana, and Texas Lifetime Professional Certification in 2 areas- English and English Composite (English, Language Arts, Speech, Reading, Journalism)

Gifted /Talented Certificate   Texas

International Baccalaureate Administrator’s Certification

Small Business Institute Certificate, 2008

ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Assistant Principal, El Dorado High School,

Socorro Independent School District,

El Paso, TX   2006-2011

                               

• Supervised the English Department (increased passing rate on TAKS from 90%-95% on exit test Spring 2011), Foreign Language, ESL (reduced SPED/LEP population from 23% to 5%), LEP Coordinator, Special Education (raised Math TAKS scores an average of 250 points in 2010, across the board increase in 2011 by 10%), Social Studies (98% TAKS passing rate), Fine Arts and Career & Technology Departments, as well as the International Baccalaureate Program, Gifted & Talented Program, Attendance, Discipline, UIL Academic Programs, Text Books, Keys, Employee Time Clock, Staff Development, Partners in Education, Parent Volunteers, Nurses, Library, Beginning Teachers Program and Benchmark Testing

• Supervised 20-45 teachers and 16 paraprofessionals; in charge of hiring, training and development of new employees as well as on-going staff development of established employees

• Supervise hourly employees using time clock while managing over-time and comp time use

• Conducted conflict resolution sessions between employees and students

• Conducted formative and summative employee evaluations

• Developed employee improvement plans

• Managed budgets for Special Education, Fine Arts, Summer School and Gifted and Talented ranging from $36,000 - $180,000.

• Develop business contacts for monetary donations, in-kind donations, and volunteer programs- 2008-2009 $56,000, 2009-2010 $60,000, 2010-2011 $65,000

Fine Arts Magnet Program Coordinator,

Socorro High School

Socorro Independent School District,

El Paso, TX  1990 - 2006

·         Designed curriculum and coordinated the academic program for the Fine Art Magnet,

      2001 – 2006

·         Interviewed and hired personnel for the Fine Arts Magnet Program 2001 - 2006

·         Worked on student scheduling for the Fine Arts Magnet Program 2001 - 2006

Coaching

Director of Forensics,

Socorro High School, El Paso, TX 1993 – 2006

• Planned, prepared and executed Regional Speech Tournaments, out-of-state travel for competition, prepared and managed budgeting

• Speech coach including VICA; BPA; FBLA; FFA; HOSA; TFA and NFL CX Debate, Lincoln Douglas Debate, Original Oratory, Student Congress; UIL Informative and Persuasive Speaking, Poetry and Prose Interpretation ; Coached UIL Literary Criticism, Ready Writing, Spelling, and Current Events

• Debate Team invited to compete at the Harvard and Stanford National Invitational Tournaments 7 years in a row

• Directed HS One-Act Play competition for 7 years; Regional competitors 5 years

Theatre/One-Act Play Director,

Ernesto Serna PK-8 School, El Paso, TX  2005 – 2006

• Directed  MS One-Act Play Spring 2005, District Winner (1^st Place Team, Best Actor, 11 Individual Awards) and Spring 2006 (3^rd Place Team, Best Actor, 3 Individual Awards)

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

High School English and Speech Teacher,

Socorro High School, El Paso, TX  1990 - 2006

·         Taught Communication Applications, Debate, English IV, Humanities, Analyzing Visual    

             Media and Literary Genres 2001 – 2006

• Taught Communication Applications, Debate, Public Speaking, English II, and  Gifted and Talented English II-IV 1993- 2001

• Worked with gangs through the Alternative School Program 1990-1993. Taught grades 7-12 all subjects.

Middle School Theatre Teacher

Ernesto Serna PK-8 School, El Paso, TX  2005 - 2006

                                   

• Developed a PK-8 Theatre Program incorporating newly adopted Theatre TEKS for

             Elementary with Vertical Alignment utilizing 8^th grade student mentors                      

High School Computer Programming /English Chair/English Teacher,

 Van Horn High School, Van Horn, TX   1983 – 1990

• Conducted Computer Literacy in-service workshops District-wide for teachers

• Chaired District 5-Year Plan Committee for Writing

• Designed, wrote, and initiated curriculum for Computer Science

High School English Teacher,

Lodge Grass High School, Lodge Grass, MT  1982 – 1983

• Developed and implemented curriculum for tracked English programs 9-12

• Developed and implemented curriculum for Research and Writing Computer Course

• Sponsored Student Council, prepared students for state offices, traveled to state convention with students

Middle School English/Social Studies Teacher,

Colegio Internacional de Carabobo, Valencia, Venezuela  1981-1982

• Integrated a variety of teaching methods and strategies to address differences of students from 10-15 different countries

• Organized and ran the National English Spelling Bee

High School English Teacher,

Maplewood Joint Vocational School, Ravenna, OH  1978 – 1981

• Developed and implemented a mini-course curriculum teaching, Mass Communications, Journalism, Speech, Short Story, Job Skills and Creative Writing

• Designed a program to appeal to students involved in 25 different vocational trades

                              

ADDITIONAL TRAINING / PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Instructional Rounds Training, August/September 2011.

STAAR Training, August 2011.

TASSP Summer Conference, 2011

Border Special Education Conference, February 2011

State Autism Conferences, December 2010, December 2009

PRESENTATIONS

Staff Development, “Webb’s DOK”, September, 2011.

Partners of Education Meeting, “How to Build a Business Partner Program”, October 2009.

National At-Risk Education Network National Conference Presenter, “Schools within Schools”,

                  February 2006.

COMPUTER SKILLS

• Eduphoria PDAS, Aware, utilizing data to improve instruction

• Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Publisher, Outlook, Outlook Express; Power Point; Microsoft  Works; Quicken; advanced Internet research; web page construction

• 29 years experience working with Computer Applications with secondary students. Have worked with new programs and applications as they are introduced to the market.

CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT

• Designed, Lead and Implemented Staff Development throughout the school year 2010-2011/2011-2012

• Lead the redesign of the English curriculum to align with STAAR for 2011-2012

• Initiated PLCs for RTI implementation 2010/2011

• Spearheaded the  redesign and organization of Math Supplemental Aids for SPED and Regular Education students for 2010 TAKS testing; SPED Scores improved by 89%; Average increase of 250 points per student; in 2011 all core areas increased by 10%

• Designed and implemented the Aztec Paraprofessional Training Initiative to provide extra training for paraprofessionals working in special units working with autism, mental retardation, and Downs Syndrome – 2010

• Member of the SISD Search Committee interviewing Math and Science Teachers 2010

• Reorganized and Streamlined  SPED Department Procedures 2008-2011

• Expanded  IB Program to include Visual Arts &  Integrated Technology in a Global Society courses

• Designed and implemented building-wide in-service on PDAS July 2003/July2005

• Building-wide in-service presentation on Japanese Education 2003-2004

• Restructured Fine Arts Magnet Program - Socorro Talent Youth Learning Environment (STYLE)

• Designed and implemented new curriculum requirements for STYLE Program in Core Area Instruction, Humanities, Creative Writing and Film Studies

• Initiated cross-curricular planning and team teaching in STYLE Program

• Coordinated field trips, started STYLE student organization

•  Interviewed and selected personnel to teach in STYLE Program

• Initiated and developed the Speech and Debate Program at SHS

• Designed and piloted a Computer Literacy course used at middle school level

• Directed student projects that designed educational and administrative software

• Assessed district computer needs and developed a 5-Year Plan for expenditure and curriculum development

• Evaluated and purchased software for interdisciplinary needs

• Wrote new curriculum for the Senior English Program

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• ASCD, 2008 – present

• TASSP, 2006 – present

• TAASP Region 19 Co-coordinator 2009-2011

HONORS

• 2012 Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Region 19 HS Assistant Principal of the Year

• 2011 Elite American Educator – one out of five from Texas/ only 35 in the US

• 2010 Cambridge Who’s Who VIP Member of the Year in Secondary Education

• 2010 Cambridge Who’s Who Recipient

• 2010 TASSP Region 19  Nominee High School Assistant Principal of the Year

• 2009-2013 TASSP Region 19 Co-coordinator

• Selected to serve on  the TEA Review Committee for the 2006 TAKS English/Language Arts Exit Test

• Fulbright Memorial Fund Scholar as Guest of the Japanese Government – 2003

• Awarded 3 National Scholarships for Professional Study at Baylor University, The University of Texas and Colorado School of Mines

• Contributed to National Blue Ribbon School – 1996

• Coached winners of national, state, and regional speech, debate and theater contests

• Teacher of the Year – 1989

• Nominated for Teacher of the Year - 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

COMMUNITY SERVICE

• Charter Member Lions Club International El Paso Far East Chapter, 2007 - 2008

• Secretary Lions Club International El Paso Far East Chapter 2007 – 2008

                   Reference will be provided on the following page, if requested