Maria Freeman

Proven educational executive with 20 years of experience committed to learning acceleration, student growth, and rigorous academic excellence; cultivating a sense of belonging, safety, restorative practices, and operating a school-hub to foster strong community partnerships.

Director of School Improvement at School Organization (2023-01 – Present)

• Served as the primary data administrator for a school organization
• Shared a robust understanding of a variety of academic and operational data sources for the organization
• Use various tools to lead analysis among school and organizational leaders
• Present data analysis to a variety of stakeholders
• Support the network and campuses across the region to increase the capacity among leaders to improve their practice of using a variety of assessment and related data to inform decisions
• Analyze and shared snapshot of trends in student achievement
• Measure students' performance levels relative to meeting Illinois Learning standards
• Inform strategies and opportunities for growth
• Predictor of college and career readiness
• Inform capacity building, professional development needs, resources, and macro-micro level results to 'inform strategic plan and instructional practices and efforts'
• Communicate a shared collaboration and reflective indicator for high growth-high achievement

Mentor Principal at CICS - Loomis-Longwood High School (2019-07 – Present)

• Develop and implement an 80/20 Strategic Plan with intentional focus on Aspirational & Constructive Environments, Black Belt Teaching, Data Driven Culture, Change Management, and High Performing team to improve school rating (from 'comprehensive support' to 'commendable') and (SY22-23 honored guest and featured at the Accelerate Impact Event)
• Create instructional coherence through vision setting, goal alignment, curricular alignment & internalization processes, and instructional walkthrough & coaching systems (co-led professional development for Chicago Public Schools with TNTP- July 2022)
• Coordinate Data-Driven-Instruction through professional development, data meetings, lesson plan rehearsal, and action planning to produce P/SAT growth (average growth of 90 points/student/year surpassing the national average of 60 points/student/year, 100% of staff strongly agree that the purpose, expectations, and data utilization was clearly articulated, 95% of staff use data to differentiate instruction and are supported in the data analysis process)
• Cultivate a constructive educational environment (97% of staff agree or strongly agree that the expectations and behavior management systems support high levels of academic productivity and decreased Out of School Suspension rate by 85%)
• Provide ongoing coaching to leadership team members, aligned to tracking and monitoring teacher progress, choosing the right action steps and implementing effective coaching practices
• Manage external partnerships to develop a guided coalition to improve the Whole Child Approach and MTSS processes in collaboration with TNTP
• Served as an Athletic Director for 6-12 grade student-athletes, committed to provide an opportunity for student-athletes, to fully develop their academic and athletic potential, through practice, training and competition, empowered the Coaches and trainers to build relationships with students and colleges

Assistant Principal at Acero - Roberto Clemente (2016-09 – 2019-09)

• Established a consistent pattern of behavior of understanding student achievement criteria and data. Consistently communicates about data clearly and strategically, ultimately resulting in teacher independence and leadership related to understanding and acting on student achievement Increasing student achievement through curriculum, instruction, and assessment
• Redefined the academic model: curriculum, assessment and instruction, rigor to increase the school's SQPR from Level 2 to Level 1
• Established and implemented school wide compliance, practices, and polices

Culture and Climate Specialist at CICS - Loomis-Longwood High School (2010-08 – 2016-08)

• Assuring integration with academic life and encouraging student personal growth and development: planned, controlled and directed the overall activities for the school, students, staff, and community; staff recruitment, development and evaluation; fiscal management and records; student discipline program initiatives to helped shape the tangible and intangible attitudes, behaviors, and practices that make up life in High School
• Develop and coordinate policies and procedures relative to all student activities, student code of conduct, and oversees annual production of Student Handbook and other documents
• Empowered and led staff to establish a student culture where diversity is encouraged and where students learn to respect difference
• Assist classroom teachers with various instructional models, classroom management, lesson plan development
• Demonstrate skill in conflict resolution with administrators, parents, teachers, staff, and community; through Restorative Practices
• Mentored educators in the creation and implementation of Well-Managed classrooms, school wide activities and events, lesson plans and student assessment in conjunction with state learning regulations
• Developed and implemented a Restorative Practices model

Academy Director and Instructor Leader at CICS - Loomis-Longwood High School (2000-08 – 2010-06)

• Serve as a key member of the school leadership team which formulated, planned, and implemented best practices, evaluated pedagogy strategies, and set learning goals for instructors and students
• Provided leadership that led to dramatic gains in standardized test results and admission to selective enrollment Chicago schools
• Title 1 Coordinator- Performed special projects, analyzed activities, balanced a school-wide budget, and researched discrepancies to ensure fidelity and quality with the school
• Parental Involvement Chairman- Planned, implemented, developed structured workshops and activities for parents on a school-wide basis
• Community Schools Coordinator- Managed before and after school enrichment programs for students. Balanced the budget, and researched discrepancies to ensure fidelity and quality with the school
• Math Curriculum Coordinator- Evaluate and provide leadership for the elementary and middle school instructional program. Responsible for the effective and efficient operation of the campus, which includes curriculum and staff development. Coordinate the campus program for gifted and talented students. Collaborate with staff to encourage community and parent activities

Ed.D in Educational Leadership – University of St. Francis

MA in Educational Administration – Saint Xavier University

MA in Elementary Education – National Louis University