Sandra L. Jimenez

EDUCATION

Administrator II Certification, University of Maryland College Park
Master of Arts, Education (Emphasis in ESL), University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Bachelor of Arts, English, University of Kansas

EXPERIENCE

2009-Present
Prince George's County Public Schools
Parent Involvement Specialist

Accomplishments:
Worked to make connections between schools and community members (including parents, as well as non-profit organizations, government agencies, and for-profit businesses) to increase and improve parent involvement in schools; worked with Central Office Personnel to improve communication with Spanish speaking parents; developed training and outreach program for Spanish speaking parents; developed training and outreach programs for Spanish speaking parents; provided simultaneous interpretation for Superintendent of Schools, Dr. William Hite, Jr; developed press releases and public service announcements for Spanish radio and television; provided training to principals, counselors, parent liaisons, nurses, and school faculties on utilizing the Spanish language resources in the county.

2008-2009
Buck Lodge Middle School, Hyattsville, MD
Principal

Accomplishments:
Significantly improved academic performance of a middle school designated as being in "Alternate Governance", i.e. ineffective for 5 years; reduced student truancy; improved parent and community involvement; integrated data to improve quality of instruction; effectively managed the school, including fiscal, curricular, instructional, personnel, parent, and student concerns.

2002-2007
Langley Park McCormick Elementary School, Hyattsville, MD
Principal

Accomplishments:
Led lowest performing school in Prince George's County to meet academic standards (AYP) for five out of six consecutive years; increased parent involvement; implemented parent training; developed comprehensive network support programs for parents and families, such as health care, food, clothing, coats, counseling, medical insurance, rental assistance, etc.

1996-2002
Buck Lodge Medical School, Adelphia, Maryland
Vice Principal

Accomplishments:
Supervised all daily activities of approximately 950 students, including discipline, attendance, parent contacts, scheduling, conflict resolution, etc. Also assist Principal, other Vice Principal, and teachers in establishing and maintaining contact with Hispanic parents.  Develop Hispanic outreach program and workshops for parents on a monthly basis. Implemented PG County pilot Saturday Alternative to Suspension Initiative (sponsored by department of Safe and Drug Free Schools).  Serve as University of Maryland team leader as a Professional Development School site. Nominated by Principal for Milliken's Principal's award.

PUBLICATIONS

• "Co-teaching in a Sheltered Model: Maximizing Content and Language Acquisition for Beginning Level English Language Learners", a chapter in the Publication Content Based Instruction in Primary and Secondary School Settings, Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc., 2005.

• Journal for Education Policy, "Educating Underschooled Immigrant Students in Secondary Schools", 1999

• ESL Magazine: Becoming an Advocate for Your ESL Students, May/June 2000.

• Sentinel of Montgomery County, freelance article on the impact of crowd particpation in the Redskins playoff game, 1999.

AWARDS, HONORS:

Nominated for Milliken Principal's Award, 1999

G. Richard Tucker Fellowship, Center for Applied Linguistics, 1996

CIVIC, VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

1998-Present --Action Langley Park, member, Board of Directors. This is a community group representing the needs of the Langley Park community, which is largely composed of Hispanic and other immigrant populations.

2002-2007 --Monthly Food and clothing distributions to the community, provisions of school supplies, coats, et. to school and community members, enhanced academic and sports programs in summer and after school (based on assistance form multiple business, non-profit, and religious organizations who have begun associations with us.)

1999-2002 --Prince George's County Community Action Committee, a court-ordered citizen advisory board to the Board of Education, making recommendations on issues that impact the community, especially those involving the federal desegregation decrees, magnet schools, and boundary issues.

1999-2002--Advisory Board for Hispanic Affairs for Major James Hunt, Commander, District 1, Prince George's County Police

1999-2003 --Active member of Iglesia Mayor Gracia a bilingual church in Langley Park where I participated in translation, music groups, translation for University classes in theology, and other volunteer outreach activities.

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

Spanish:  Native fluency, reading, writing, speaking