Melanie Harrell
Radford
Summary
Educational leader with expertise in instructional coaching, data-driven decision-making, and community engagement. Demonstrated success in implementing strategic plans that close learning gaps and enhance student well-being. Aiming to utilize leadership skills in a principal or assistant principal role to promote a collaborative learning environment.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal
Price's Fork Elementary
Blacksburg
07.2021 - Current
- Direct daily operations of a Title 1 elementary school (PreK 3 - 5th grade) with an average enrollment of 460 students, effectively managing and evaluating a staff of over 100 professionals.
- Drove significant academic growth for Students with Disabilities (SWD), implementing targeted instructional strategies that increased SWD standardized testing pass rates from 12% (Spring 2023) to 34% (Spring 2024) and 37% (Spring 2025).
- Successfully implemented attendance interventions and family engagement initiatives that reduced chronic absenteeism year-over-year, dropping the rate from 15% (2022-2023) to 11% (2023-2024) and down to 8% (2024-2025).
- Facilitated Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to cultivate collaborative learning environment, focusing on data analysis, curriculum alignment, and best instructional practices.
- Developed and implemented continuous improvement plans targeting learning gaps, enhancing student well-being, and improving standardized testing outcomes.
- Directed operations of Title 1 elementary school serving 460 students, overseeing staff management and daily activities.
Assistant Principal
Price's Fork Elementary
Blacksburg
07.2016 - 06.2021
- Partnered with Principal to implement school's vision, oversee daily operations, and ensure safe, orderly learning environment.
- Managed student discipline using restorative practices and proactive behavioral interventions, significantly reducing office referrals.
- Coordinated testing logistics and managed assessment data to enable teachers to customize instruction effectively.
- Conducted classroom walk-throughs and formal observations to deliver actionable feedback, enhancing teaching practices.
Assistant Principal
Auburn Elementary
Riner
07.2014 - 06.2016
- Led professional development sessions for teachers on differentiated instruction and trauma-informed teaching practices.
- Coordinated special education meetings, including IEPs and 504s, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Cultivated relationships with students and families, fostering high attendance rates and community involvement.
- Assisted Title 1 initiatives, contributing to improved student performance.
- Provided primary administrative support for student conduct, attendance, and daily scheduling.
Teacher on Administrative Assignment / Instructional Coach / Child Study Chair
Preston Park Elementary
Roanoke
07.2008 - 06.2014
- Transitioned into building-level leadership through administrative assignment, assisting with school operations and leading Child Study team to establish multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) for at-risk students.
- Served as Instructional Coach, modeling effective teaching strategies, co-teaching, and mentoring peers to elevate instructional quality.
- Delivered rigorous, differentiated instruction as a Kindergarten and 4th-grade classroom teacher, consistently meeting and exceeding grade-level benchmarks.
- Award: Honored as the 2011 Teacher of the Year for outstanding instructional impact and dedication to student success.
- Facilitated Title 1 initiatives to expand student learning opportunities.
4th & 5th Grade Teacher
Southampton Elementary
Richmond
08.2006 - 06.2008
- Designed and implemented engaging lesson plans aligned with Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs), enhancing student engagement and understanding in upper elementary classes.
- Utilized formative and summative assessments to track student progress and adapt teaching methods, promoting individualized learning for diverse student needs.
- Supported Title 1 students through targeted interventions, fostering academic success and improving overall classroom performance.
4th Grade Teacher
Reid Park Elementary
Charlotte
07.2003 - 06.2006
- Delivered targeted literacy and math instruction in low-performing Title 1 school, enhancing student engagement and learning outcomes.
- Award: Recognized as a Pay for Performance Recipient for achieving outstanding, measurable gains in standardized test scores among an at-risk student population.
- Instructed diverse student population at Title 1 school in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, adapting lessons to meet individual learning needs.
Education
Master's Degree - Administrative Leadership
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VABachelor's Degree - Elementary Education
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KYSkills
- Educational leadership
- Program management
- Instructional coaching
- Data-driven assessment
- Crisis management
- Special education compliance
- Student behavior management
- Teacher evaluation
- Community engagement
Licensure And Certification
Virginia Postgraduate Professional License, 06/30/32, Administration and Supervision PreK-12, Elementary Education PreK-6
Timeline
Principal
Price's Fork Elementary
07.2021 - Current
Assistant Principal
Price's Fork Elementary
07.2016 - 06.2021
Assistant Principal
Auburn Elementary
07.2014 - 06.2016
Teacher on Administrative Assignment / Instructional Coach / Child Study Chair
Preston Park Elementary
07.2008 - 06.2014
4th & 5th Grade Teacher
Southampton Elementary
08.2006 - 06.2008
4th Grade Teacher
Reid Park Elementary
07.2003 - 06.2006
Master's Degree - Administrative Leadership
University of Virginia
Bachelor's Degree - Elementary Education
University of Kentucky