1. 3366 Wilkerson Circle
Melvindale, MI 48122
313-595-9045 (cell)
embracegreatness@yahoo.com
Carlos Lopez, Ed.D.
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My mission is to collaborate, learn and lead others to support each student in a high quality, whole child education.
SPECIALIZATIONS
Systems Leadership for Change / Standards-Based Instruction, Assessment, Grading / Instructional Technology
Professional Development / Curriculum Development / Cultural Competency Teaching / Bilingual Education
SIOP - Sheltered English training / Data-Driven Decision Making / Coaching and Mentoring
Managing Diversity / Social Emotional Learning - Restorative Practices /
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Education Ed.D. Educational Administration and Curriculum and Instruction, Wayne State
University, Detroit, MI, 1990
Master of Arts in Teaching, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan,
Detroit, MI, 1985
Bachelors of Science, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, Detroit, MI
1983
Certification 1985 Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
Specialty – Superintendent (AW) Expires: June 30, 2019
Elementary and Secondary Administration K-12 (ES) Expires: June 30, 2019
Specialty – District Level Supervision and Evaluation (AF)
Central Office (CO) Expires: June 30, 2019
Michigan Permanent Teaching Certification (K-8th
)
Michigan Bilingual / ESL Endorsement (K-9th
)
2012 – Michigan Future Schools – Leadership Network
2011 – SUPES Academy Chicago, PROACT Search
2008 – Present Courageous Journey Superintendent Academy
2007 – SUPES Academy Michigan, Michigan Leadership Institute
2005 -- National Academy for Superintendents, Ohio State University
Leadership Positions I bring to the work, over 29 years of experience in multiple roles:
Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction,
executive Director, Director of Bilingual Education Programs, Principal,
Assistant Principal, Teacher, and other school related leadership roles.
District Leadership
• Developed a system of accountability to hold each professional staff
accountable for student growth and excellence. When an employee is not
living up to his/her responsibilities we hold them accountable through a
comprehensive evaluation system of accountability that includes greater
coaching, courageous conversations, verbal warnings, written reprimands
and formal observations.
• Conducted annual evaluations of instructional and non-instructional
personnel.
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2. • Visited classrooms on a daily basis and conducted administrative
walkthroughs to monitor curriculum, witness instructional program, and
provide direct feedback to teachers.
• Aligned the school’s teacher appraisal process to include a strong student
growth component and ensured that all staff receives appropriate and
ongoing professional development.
• Created and implemented a comprehensive school improvement framework
that is supported through real time data and also supports student
achievement for all students.
• Monitored progress toward the school’s achievement goals.
• Designed a 5 year Comprehensive District-Wide Strategic Plan and the
Board’s Non-Negotiable Dedicated Goals for 2010-2015.
• Realigned the educational system through effective policy and procedures
that support student learning.
• Facilitated and co-facilitated teams at the district level. Examples include:
o K-5 Grade Think Tank to inform Policy and Procedures
o K-5 Standards-Based Grading and Assessment Team
o Cross-Functional / Cross Departmental Curriculum Planning Team
o K-8 Vertically Aligned Power Standards Teams
o District Innovation Team
School Leadership
• Leveraged program evaluation strategies to strategically map out cohesive
implementation plans.
• Led K-5 teacher & staff in professional learning opportunities around
behavior interventions; coaching; mentoring, administering discipline,
leading teams, and developing behavioral intervention plans for struggling
students.
• Supported teachers in partnering with a site-based family liaison to
strategically provide ongoing supports for families that align with the
school plan, mission and vision.
Teaching & Curriculum
• Developed a comprehensive K-8 Curriculum in all four core subject areas
(English Language Arts and Reading, Mathematics, Science and Social
Studies).
• Developed an instrument to help teachers teach power standards effectively
to students in K-8.
• Identified a feasible number of specific objectives as non-negotiable power
standards that must be mastered by all students at every grade level each
year.
• Disaggregated assessment data to inform instruction and make effective
curriculum decisions about scaffolding and differentiating instruction for all
students.
• Reported student achievement data and instructional goals to the board of
education on a regular basis.
• Began a system to align all Common Assessments to meet and/or exceed
state standards, support the curriculum, and inform instruction.
• Analyzed and used student performance data to determine the instructional
needs of all students and inform daily instruction as needed.
• Managed the delivery of quality instruction by monitoring what takes place
in the delivery of instruction in every classroom everyday.
• Developed a tentative comprehensive Teacher Evaluation Process to
monitor the curriculum and the delivery of instruction.
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3. • Developed a comprehensive system to regularly monitor the Snapshots
Strategies for effective classroom instruction. Monitored to ensure that all
K-8 teachers used these Best Practices faithfully in classrooms daily.
• Implemented exemplary practices that promote differentiated and student-
centered instruction.
• Ensured that the instructional needs of students from diverse populations
are met to narrow the achievement gap, everyday.
• Developed a System of support for assisting all of our teachers in
developing effective inquiry-based / project-based units of instruction.
• Infused a K-12 process for training all teachers on how to successfully teach
the 8 Thinking Maps to our students. Students are using the 8 Thinking
Maps to Think about their Thinking.
Grants
• Secured a $6 Million dollar SIG II Grant - Comprehensive Transformation -
Redesign Plan for the high school that positions our high school for
academic success through the New Tech High Model.
• Secured $200,000 of Title II (D) Re-Imagine Education funding from a
Federal Grant to transform the River Rouge High School into a NTH
International Academy by joining the New Technology Network.
• Secured a $2.5 Million Dollar - 21st
CCLC grant in collaboration with
Wayne Metro to sponsor Project Achieve – an afterschool program that is
being implemented in all three schools for the next five years.
• Received a $500,000 Promise Neighborhood Initiative Planning Grant in
collaboration with the Guidance Center to plan and design a comprehensive
$5 Million Dollar grant to develop our community to support student
learning from cradle to college, and careers.
• Secured $179,000 SIG 3 Grant to Fund our High School Redesign Initiative
and Dual Enrollment opportunities for our students.
• Secured $250,000 EDP Community Foundation Grant to fund Educational
Development Plans for all 6th
-12th
grade students.
• Secured $250,000 grant to implement the Downriver Leadership Team
Grant to support high school students at risk of graduating from high
school.
• Secured a $200,000 from the General Motors Schools of Excellence
Network – A United Way’s Turnaround Grant to support our high school
NTH Model. This grant will provide wraparound services to our students
and their families.
• Secured $125,500 to support our Student System of Support Initiative for
our High School Redesign Initiative – A collaborative with Wayne
Mediation and City Year Americorp Program to provide wraparound
support for struggling students.
Balancing the District
General Fund Budget
• Aligned school budgets to support the goals, objectives, and district priority
for serving all students.
• Continued to seek additional non-traditional positive revenue through
grants, partnerships, foundation, and fundraisers.
• Ensured that principals and directors become knowledgeable of cost-saving
measures and submit monthly budgetary reports in a timely manner.
• Developed accurate, transparent, and usable data for financial decision-
making and management.
• Planned and adjusted staffing model based on enrollment.
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4. • Submitted a 5 Year Deficit Elimination Plan that is well developed and
adhered faithfully.
• Forecast financial resources and setbacks.
• Identified ways to do more with less.
• Provided regionally competitive salaries and benefits to all employees.
• Implemented facility investment planning at industry standards (3% of plant
replacement).
• Maintained a 5-year replacement cycle (network infrastructure, computers,
printers, laptops, etc.).
• Rightsized the district by developing a 21st
Century high quality / cost-
effective staffing model that meets the needs of all students.
• Developed a process for leveraging scarce resources, ensuring
accountability and the delivery of quality services.
• Adopted improved business processes and management systems that are
appropriate for the present financial landscape.
• Identified data utilization requirements not being met by current systems
and processes.
• Developed a survey to measure the community’s satisfaction with the food
service, transportation, customer-satisfaction, and the building and grounds
maintenance system.
• Ensured that principals keep an open line of communication with parents
and the community on how satisfied they are with food service,
transportation, customer-friendly satisfaction, and the building and grounds
maintenance system.
• Designed a system of on the spot improvements in all areas in need of
improvement throughout the district.
Marketing &
Recruitment
• Established a Successful Marketing Plan that has brought 300+ new
students into the District each year (Radio, Television Commercials,
Newspapers, MJR Theater Commercials, Postcards, Newsletters, Signs,
Billboards, and lawn signs).
• Held on-going Theme- Based Open Houses to promote District Awareness
and recruit students.
• Released weekly Press Releases to keep our Brand Name in the Media.
• Conducted Door-to-Door Canvasing and Recruitment.
Parent / Community
Involvement
• Developed a process for engaging parents in the process of communicating
significant decisions and providing feedback.
• Used technology to provide a continuum of information to parents including
District policies and procedures, District news, and a parent library.
• Developed policies and procedures to guide schools and leaders on how to
engage parents and their responsibilities to sustain an open line of
communication.
• Continue to hold the school leadership responsible for nurturing a strong
parent community involvement program locally.
• Assisted in establishing a highly productive LSCO or PTA organization in
each school.
• Helped to increase the level of volunteers and other stakeholder
involvement in our schools.
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5. • Ensured that parent-community outreach and ongoing communication is a
priority and promoted through the use of curriculum nights, training,
meetings, PTC, etc.
• Helped to increase the level of volunteers and other stakeholder
involvement at the school level.
• Helped make parent-community outreach and ongoing communication a
priority through the use of curriculum nights, training, meetings, PTC, etc.
• Established a partnership with the Guidance Center to write a Promise
Neighborhood Planning Grant to create a meaningful process to engage the
community in decision-making.
• Established ongoing relationships with such agencies as Wayne Metro and
the Guidance Center to better serve our community.
• Established a strong alliance with Wayne Mediation and Echo to provide
direct support for our students and immediate community.
School Safety
• Trained school staff on how to respond to emergency situations effectively.
• Developed and purchased Emergency Response Plans for the entire District.
• Ensured that all staff recognized the purpose of why students need to
establish meaningful relationships with caring adult throughout the school
day.
• Structured common planning time to support student learning.
• Ensured that teachers provide students with the appropriate
accommodations they need in order to master academic proficiency.
• Created a culturally competent inclusive learning environment in every
school to support student learning.
• Implemented an annual incident response and safety plan for each worksite.
• Designed a District-Wide Emergency Response Plan.
• Conducted and assessed annual physical safety audits of our facilities.
• Conducted Parent workshops on Internet safety.
• Designed a Positive Behavior Support program throughout the district to
ensure an inclusive environment in each school that minimizes student
suspensions and expulsions.
• Developed effective classroom procedures and routines that support the
education of all students.
• Established a District-Wide commitment to the effective implementation of
successful Positive Behavior Support initiatives in every school.
• Implemented the Board Adopted Student Code of Conduct Manual.
• Refined student and staff safety plans, including the district’s crisis
management plan (REMS Training Grant, Professional Development
Initiatives, PBS, Emergency Guides, daily Security Staffing, Theft and
Cameras, and Monitoring of District Security) on an annual basis.
Teacher Leadership Development
• Ensured that our teachers attend and actively participate from all school and
out of school related professional development opportunities that supports
our instructional model and the mission of the district.
• Provided a comprehensive job embedded professional development plan
with build in systems of support that have prepared our teachers to address
the grade level content expectations and high school content expectations
with rigor, relevance and relationships.
• Developed an effective process to hire highly qualified personnel
throughout the District.
Committee Work
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6. • School Improvement Plan
• Response to Intervention / Intervention Team / Child’s Study Process
• Positive Behavior Support / Getting Along Together Cooperative Culture
Structures
• Math Program Adoption
• Teacher and Principal Evaluation Appraisal Process
• Budget Development
• School Safety
• Operations
Interpersonal Strengths
• Living with purpose and vision
• Communicating complex ideas in simple terms
• Learning and thinking about best practices
• Caring for others and empathizing with them
• Seeing controversy through multiple perspectives
• Providing humor to create safe and supportive environments
• Increasing morale and motivation through authentic relationship-building
• Integrating technology into classroom instruction and staff development
Experience 2014 – 2015 – Principal
Escuela Avancemos! Academy (K-5), Detroit, Michigan
• Designed the inquiry-based educational plan to address curriculum,
learning targets, assessments, and instructional support resources that will
support a project-based experiential learning environment.
• Implemented a highly successful Success for All (SFA) reading program
that has positively changed the trajectory of struggling readers.
• Implemented a data-driven mindset that allows teachers to use student
growth data to differentiate and provide quality instruction.
• Trippled student achievement in less than a year as measured on the NWEA
Measures of Academic Progress tests results.
• Developed a comprehensive Student Recruitment and Marketing Plan that
include door-to-door canvasing, television and multi-media advertisement,
and a parent-friendly website.
• Developed the Family Handbook and Student Code of Conduct
Handbook that address communication procedures that supports a positive
school culture that address non-cognitive factors that impact student
achievement.
• Formulated decisions based on facts, input and data that support positive
student and community growth – decisions that are based on what is best
for all children.
• Implement a new Individualized Student Success Plan aligned with an RTI
system of support and interventions that has reduced the number of school
suspensions and expulsions.
• Lead the daily operations of a K-5 Elementary Public Charter School
Academy.
2012 – 2014 – School Leader / Superintendent
Experiencia Preparatory Academy (K-12), Detroit, Michigan
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7. • Co-authored the Michigan Future Schools – Experiencia Preparatory
Academy Application that was approved and successfully funded.
• Received $800,000 from Michigan Future Schools to support the
educational programming of Experiencia Preparatory Academy for the next
four years.
• Assisted the co-founder with the selection of CS Partners – the
management agency responsible for operations, human resources and
support to the Governing Board of Experiencia Preparatory Academy.
• Designed the educational plan to address curriculum, learning targets,
assessments, and instructional support resources that will support a project-
based experiential learning environment.
• Designed a comprehensive Student Recruitment and Marketing Plan for
marketing students at Experiencia Preparatory Academy.
• Designed a 90 Day Start of School Plan for Experiencia Preparatory
Academy.
• Developed a comprehensive Student Recruitment and Marketing Plan that
include door-to-door canvasing, television and multi-media advertisement,
and a parent-friendly website.
• Developed the Family Handbook and Student Code of Conduct
Handbook that address communication procedures that supports a positive
school culture that address non-cognitive factors that impact student
achievement.
• Developed a Staff Handbook for adult accountability and designed a
process for staff communication.
• Developed a multi-year staffing model and embedded compensation
strategy.
• Developed a comprehensive Employee Recruitment and Hiring Handbook
and supporting documents.
2008 – 2012– Superintendent of Schools
School District of the City of River Rouge, River Rouge, Michigan
• Planned and executed essential leadership for increasing student
achievement, expanding learning opportunities for all students, managing
operations, balancing budgets, and overseeing a $14,000,000.00 budget.
• Lead a team of middle school professionals in sustainable adaptive work to
turn around a low performing school into a high performing middle school
that meets adequate yearly progress (Phase 0).
• Lead a team of elementary professionals in sustainable job embedded
professional development in the implementation of research-based best
practices that is directly aligned student achievement.
• Increased student achievement in grades 3-8 for those students who have
been enrolled in our district for three years or more by 6% in reading and
8% in mathematics as evidenced in our grades 3-8 trend data.
• Wrote the River Rouge School District’s Student Code of Conduct Manual
adopted by the Board of Education in the fall of 2009.
• Designed a cost-effective staffing model, by leveling classrooms,
outsourcing services, and hiring highly qualified staff.
• Involved board members and district administrators in the goal setting
process to design the District’s Blueprint for Success - 5 Year Strategic
Plan.
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8. • Wrote and received a $6 Million Dollar SIG II Grant to transform the River
Rouge District into a New Tech International Academy in May 2011.
• Wrote and received a $2.5 Million Dollar 21st
CCLC Grant in collaboration
with Wayne Metro to sponsor Project Achieve – an afterschool program
that has made a difference in improving attendance, reducing behavioral
problems and helping students make smooth transitions.
• Established a Successful Marketing Plan that brought 300+ new students
into the District every year.
• Developed an instrument to help teachers teach the Common Core non-
negotiable essential power standards effectively.
• Designed an administrative walkthrough process and evaluation instrument
to assist with daily classroom monitoring.
• Mentored and coached administrators through professional dialogue,
walkthroughs, cognitive coaching, and by providing on-site long- term
professional development opportunities through a performance
management approach.
• Collaborated with a District-Level Leadership Team in designing a
comprehensive high reliability Teacher Evaluation, Principal Evaluation,
Central Office Personnel Evaluation and Superintendent Evaluation
instrument that is directly aligned with a student growth model.
• Improved overall student safety by 100% by implementing student and staff
safety plans, district’s crisis management plan, REMS Training Grant,
Professional Development Initiatives, PBS, Emergency Guides, Daily
Security Staffing, Theft and Cameras, and Monitoring of District Security.
• Coordinated $3 million in budget reductions district-wide since 2009 while
staying as far away from the classroom as possible.
• Outsourced Custodial and Maintenance as a cost-saving measures and a
way to improve the quality of the cleanliness of our buildings.
• Negotiated a 3 year 15% reduction in Pay and Pay freeze, Health Care Cap,
and other concessions from our teachers.
• Explored cost-effective measures throughout the district (shared services,
privatization, staff reduction, delay spending, use of technology for
efficiency, making sound investments, etc.).
• Developed a budget within allocated funds that assures fiscal responsibility.
• Formulated decisions based on facts, input and data that support positive
student and community growth – decisions that are based on what is best
for all children.
• Maintained open and honest communication and build collaborative
relationships based on mutual respect and trust.
• Facilitated in the opening of the Walter White Community Resource
Center that offer early childhood services, health care services, adult
literacy and GED services, wraparound services and advocacy, and food
distribution to families in the City of River Rouge.
• Developed and provided annually, State of Our Schools, a presentation to
update our community and its business leaders on the District’s
accomplishments and its challenges.
• Implement a new Individualized Student Success Plan aligned with an RTI
system of support and interventions that has reduced the number of school
suspensions and expulsions.
2007 – 2008 – Deputy Superintendent
2005 - 2007 -- Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction,
Oak Park Public Schools, Oak Park, Michigan
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9. • Led a team of 100 district-wide professionals in adaptive work around
standards-based teaching that contributed to an overall increase of 10% in
our math test scores in two years helping our schools to meet adequate
yearly progress.
• Managed a budget of $47,000,000.00 and staff of 300 in seven (7) schools
in the Oak Park School District.
• Participated in the development of data monitoring and long range
planning for the Division of Curriculum, Leadership and School Quality.
• Coached, mentored, supervised, and evaluated a cadre of school and central
office administrators.
• Served as the Director for Specialized Student Services, Director of Title I /
School Improvement, and the Director of World Language / ESL Programs.
• Served as the Chief Negotiator for the Oak Park School District and
negotiated multiple contracts during the 2005-2006 school year.
• Served as the Human Resource Officer for eight months and was directly
responsible for laying off staff, developing a cost-effective staffing model,
staffing classrooms, and hiring highly qualified staff.
2002 - 2005 -- Divisional Director, Office of Bilingual Education and Related
Programs, Detroit Public Schools, Detroit, Michigan
2000 - 2002 -- Executive Director of Accountability for Student Michigan
• Supervised the daily operations and management of the district's Office of
Bilingual Education and Related Programs.
• Lead a cohort of 200 district-wide bilingual and ESL teachers through a
three year job-embedded professional development institute that prepare
urban teachers to learn how to teach cultural and linguistic students through
a standards-based approach.
• Increased district-wide bilingual and migrant student academic achievement
through teacher preparation in teaching and assessing the non-negotiable
power standards and using differentiated instruction.
• Supervised instructional leadership, professional development, classroom
practices and the implementation of the Open Court Reading Series for
10,000 English language learners.
• Monitored the Department's $2.5 million dollar budget, conducted quarterly
budget reviews to meet compliance, and coordinated after school
intervention opportunities for English language learners.
• Aligned the K-12 instructional program with state standards to help schools
meet Adequate Yearly Progress of their subgroups (40 high need bilingual
schools and 109 other schools servicing English language learners).
• Coordinated technology planning and implementation for the Migrant and
Refugee Technology Programs.
• Established a Parent Information Resource Center to facilitate an open
line of communication with parents.
• Mentored, supervised, and monitored a cadre of thirty (30) principals.
• Aligned all K-12 instructional programs with state standards, assessments
and the delivery of quality instruction.
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10. • Convened Pre-K-12 Constellation meetings to ensure vertical articulation
and open communication between schools.
• Championed the construction of the New Beard Elementary School in
Southwest Detroit. This included being responsible for all components of a
massive capital improving project (site selection, materials, design, and
cultural appropriateness).
• Implemented the following research-based initiatives: Thinking Maps,
Positive Behavior Support, Respond to Intervention, Inclusion, Writers’
Workshop, Grade Level Content Expectations, High School Content
Expectations, and other interventions that support student learning.
• Collaborated with Divisional Directors and Curriculum Department
Directors in designing, implementing, and providing principals with quality
leadership training.
• Supervised and evaluated all extra curricular activities including before and
after school, Saturday, and Summer Learning opportunities for at-risk
students.
1997 - 2000 -- Principal, Beard Elementary School, Detroit Public Schools,
Detroit, Michigan
1996 - 1997 -- Charter School Leader / Superintendent, Cesar Chavez
Academy, Detroit, Michigan
1994 - 1996 -- Assistant Principal, Beard Elementary School, Detroit Public
Schools, Detroit, Michigan
1990 - 1994 -- Bilingual / World Language Teacher (K-9th
) Detroit Public
Schools, Detroit, Michigan
1985 - 1989 -- University Instructor, College of Education, Wayne State
University, Detroit, Michigan and -- Teacher, Detroit Public Schools, Detroit,
Michigan
1979 - 1985 -- Early Childhood Educator, Merrill Palmer Institute, Wayne
State University, Detroit, Michigan
Other Teaching 1985 - 1989 Instructor - Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
Social Studies Methods Courses for Graduate Students
Early Childhood Methods Courses for Undergraduate Students
Parental Involvement and Multicultural Education Methods Courses for
Undergraduate and Graduate Students
Professional
Memberships
• Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
• Michigan Associations of School Administrators
• Michigan Association of School Boards
• Michigan School Business Officials
•
Other Bilingual - Fluent in English and Spanish
I believe that people do not care how much you know until they know how much you care. Relationships are the key to everything
– staff growth and development, student learning and school culture, and parent and community partnerships. Our students only
get one shot at school, and we must be devoted to giving them the best opportunities and experience as possible. I am committed to
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11. that vision – providing a relevant and challenging education, as well as positive school climate built on the foundation of
relationships.
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