HELLO! I’M LAURA STANFORD
Welcome! I’m thrilled you’re here. Please take a moment to explore my site, where you’ll find details on my background, experience, skills and more.
ABOUT
As a driven and enthusiastic leader, my passion for learning has inspired me to view modern education through a lens of creativity and innovation. I enjoy approaching complex problems from a unique angle and collaborating in a team environment to support students and their families. I am a solutions-oriented administrator who is committed to the success of our community's schools.
Throughout my career as an educator, I have dedicated myself to achieving mastery in all facets of instructional leadership. My administrative experiences in elementary, middle, and high school education have helped to shape my leadership platform. As a principal, I am devoted to inspiring young learners to grow and develop into leaders who demonstrate compassion for others and always strive for success.
DIRECTOR OF STUDENT EXPERIENCE
Hodges University
2019 - 2020
ACADEMIC ADVISING
Director of both the Naples and Fort Myers campuses, Supervise two teams of academic advisors for all Undergraduate, Graduate, and Certificate programs for all Schools in the University including: Business, Health Sciences, Technology, Liberal Studies, Professional Studies, and English as a Second Language.
DATA ANALYSIS
Leverage quantitative and qualitative data analysis to diagnose opportunities for improvement and then activate proven strategies to drive strategic organizational improvement. Extract and analyze data to generate enrollment projections, trends, and comparatives. Apply research-based approaches to activate improvements in student retention, success, persistence, and graduation rates.
MASTER SCHEDULE
Conceptualize, design, and build the first-ever institutional master schedule for all programs, schools, and campuses. The master schedule improves the student experience, eliminates course cancellations, increases financial efficiency, and improves overall university operations.
UNIVERSITY COMPLIANCE
Direct and ensure all compliance standards for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 mandates by serving as the Disability Support Services Officer for the University. Oversee the University Due Process cases for Student Discipline, Student Grievances, and Student Accommodations Grievances. Oversee and ensure FERPA, HIPPA, and GDPR regulations and safeguard sensitive data by providing institution-wide compliance training and support.
STUDENT SERVICES
Manage Student and Alumni Career Services, Felony Appeals, Stakeholder Communications, SAP Appeals, Academic Petitions, and Conflict Resolution. Author and edit relevant sections of the University Catalog, Student Experience Policies and Procedures Manual, Student Handbook, Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual, Job Descriptions, and University Terms and Conditions.
INNOVATION AND REPORTING
Leads the institution in supporting student success by presenting results and recommendations in a variety of visual formats to university leaders, administrative departments, and the university Board of Directors. Presented and implemented university-wide action plans to support organizational improvement and professional development.
MY EXPERIENCE
Background & Expertise
PRINCIPAL
​
LEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
2016 - 2018
K-8 school leader managing a $14 million budget, 200+ employees and 1,600+ students. Led grant projects to develop the Beyond the Classroom program for socioeconomic support for students. Facilitated community partnerships and led teams in leadership development, instructional coaching, strategic planning, and quantitative & qualitative data analysis for organizational improvement.
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
​
LEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
2012 - 2016
Conceptualized, implemented, and evaluated school-wide curriculum and instructional plans, which resulted in a 10% increase in overall graduation rates. Established first ever on-site dual enrollment and teacher academy programs, collaborating with local colleges to support academic rigor and college preparation. Led strategic planning and organizational improvement through instructional leadership and master scheduling for 2200+ students and 100+ teachers.
TEACHER
​
LEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
2004 - 2012
Taught English Language Arts to high school students with expertise working with the lowest quartile of learners and struggling readers. Adult Education teacher for English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) in an evening school environment. Served as a technology support specialist for teachers and administrators, committee representative for student incentives, and dance coach.
MY PROJECTS
CROSS-CURRICULAR READING PROGRAM
Standards-Based Instruction, Reading Across the Curriculum, & Professional Learning Communities
State reading assessments are a significant barrier to high school graduation. During the CCRP Program implementation (2013-2015), overall graduation rates increased 10%. Most notably, African-American At-Risk students' graduation rates increased by 23%Â points.
EDUCATION
DOCTOR OF EDUCATION
EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP & POLICY STUDIES
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
2015 - 2018
MASTERS OF EDUCATION
EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP
FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY
2005 - 2007
BACHELOR OF ARTS
MAJOR: ENGLISH LITERATURE
MINOR: POLITICAL SCIENCE
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
2001 - 2003
SAINT MARY-OF-THE-WOODS COLLEGE
1999 - 2001
CERTIFICATIONS
PROGRAM EVALUATION
Florida State University
This graduate level certificate qualifies me to evaluate programs in both the private and public sectors. My specialization covers both quantitative and qualitative methodologies.
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR
Florida Department of Education
School Principal
Educational Leadership K-12
English Grades 6-12
Social Studies 6-12
MY SKILLS
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Collaborative partnerships with community businesses and organizations are critical to the success of our schools. My experience as a school administrator has afforded me the opportunity to work with some amazing professionals in our area. I have spearheaded projects with budgets ranging from $500 to $150,000 - all with great success. Each project required a diverse collection of resources, products, and services - the vast majority of which I was able to secure in the form of grants and donations.
DATA ANALYSIS FOR ORGANIZATIONAL IMPROVEMENT
My education and experiences have given me the opportunity to conduct both quantitative and qualitative research projects in my field. I have a commanding level of expertise in analytical problem-solving, school grade improvement strategy, programmatic design and evaluation, and organizational development. These skills serve as a component of my overall leadership style, which focuses on individualized support models and student-centered instructional delivery.
GRANT WRITING & LITERACY EVENTS
As an experienced grant writer, I have worked with teachers and administrators to fine-tune our teams' skills in securing important grant funds for our largest projects. My experience and interests in grant writing include: socioeconomic support programs, beautification and facilities projects, hands-on learning projects, technology grants, garden projects, project-based learning, and literacy projects. My relationships with published authors in the children's and young adult literature markets make me a valuable asset for organizations seeking to create unique literacy events like the one I conceptualized in 2013 - the Riverdale Literacy Festival. This event has served as a model for other similar festivals in and around our county.
ACADEMIC RIGOR & RESULTS
Rigorous instructional delivery begins with the belief that all students are capable of great intellectual growth. By activating a student's higher-order thinking skills and supporting an assessment model that centers around application and analysis, we can prepare students for a variety of academically challenging curricula. As an instructional leader, I specialize in powerful questioning techniques, rigorous analysis, and teacher-facilitated classroom models where students think critically and creatively to solve complex problems.
"I believe every child can and will learn in a safe and secure learning environment. It is our responsibility as educators to give every student the best opportunity to succeed. In order to truly serve our community, we cannot look away when the dismissal
bell rings."
Dr. Laura Stanford, Principal
