ALVERA LESANE
Durham
Summary
Dynamic executive leader with extensive experience in human resources and educational administration. Proven track record in enhancing HR processes and achieving significant improvements in student performance. Skilled in data analysis and employee relations, fostering continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement to drive organizational success.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Superintendent of Human Resource Services
Durham Public Schools
Durham
01.2021 - 12.2024
- Directed, trained, and coordinated personnel functions for nearly 5,000 certified and classified staff.
- Coordinated pandemic recovery efforts to uphold services for approximately 32,000 students, completing over 300 staff placements.
- Reviewed suspected violations and advised on appropriate responses, contributing to a reduction in claims against district, such as unemployment, grievances, and federal reporting.
- Enhanced efficiency of key HR processes, including recruitment, licensing, leave management, volunteer coordination, and retirement administration.
Associate Superintendent of Human Resource Services
Iredell-Statesville Schools
Statesville
10.2010 - 01.2021
- Directed, trained, and coordinated personnel functions for nearly 2,500 certified and classified staff.
- Optimized employment hiring processes through integration of online system processing.
- Implemented online ethics module to advance district vision.
- Created Aspiring Leaders Academy facilitating 3 of 12 members achieving principal roles during inaugural year
Adjunct Professor
The University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill
01.2010 - 05.2016
- Facilitated assigned courses for master's and doctoral students, focusing on Cultural Leadership.
- Supervised students enrolled in the Master of School Administration program.
- Participated in review team to assess qualifications of prospective professors for Educational Leadership.
Adjunct Professor
Gardner-Webb University
Boiling Springs
08.2011 - 05.2015
- Delivered courses as assigned by University.
- Mentored students through formulation and finalization of Capstone projects.
Sr Executive Director of Prof Growth & Development
Durham Public Schools
Durham
02.2006 - 10.2010
- Managed strategic planning and implementation of professional growth and development activities for alignment, evaluation, and effectiveness, incorporating district federal Title II plan.
- Established Assistant Principals Academy and Aspiring Principals Program, resulting in 5 out of 18 members securing principalships within first year
- Established online professional development tracking system to evaluate the effectiveness and ensure zero findings for Title II audit of $1.5 million budget
- Cultivated partnerships with local universities to provide onsite programs for advanced degrees.
Chief Quality Assurance Officer
Iredell-Statesville Schools
Statesville
07.2004 - 01.2006
- Participated in cabinet initiating process leading to district recognition as National Baldrige winner, NCAfE winner, and fully accredited school district.
- Enhanced school improvement planning process to align with continuous improvement initiatives.
- Oversaw implementation of district-wide Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) processes via Lead Teacher Model, resulting in elevation from slightly below state average to above in academic performance across all grade levels and subgroups.
- Orchestrated initiative emphasizing findings from Teacher Working Conditions Survey, playing a pivotal role in securing passage of $50 million bond referendum for renovation projects.
Principal
Troutman Middle School
Troutman
07.2002 - 06.2004
- Honored as School of Distinction for first time, attaining composite performance surpassing 80% proficiency in reading and math, with all subgroups achieving minimum 72% proficiency
- Spearheaded school efforts to achieve Adequate Yearly Progress with notable improvements in closing achievement gap between identified subgroups and white counterparts in reading, resulting in a difference of 3.6 percentage points for African Americans and 8.8 percentage points for the economically disadvantaged.
- Spearheaded school efforts to achieve Adequate Yearly Progress with notable improvements in closing achievement gap between identified subgroups and white counterparts in math, resulting in a difference of 11.6 percentage points for African Americans and 10 percentage points for the economically disadvantaged.
Assistant Principal
Statesville High School
Statesville
07.2000 - 06.2002
- Assessed teacher performance via classroom observations, analysis of lesson plans, and feedback from parents and students.
- Revamped scheduling process to enhance student access to programming.
- Analyzed and assessed repercussions of student behavior concerns.
Social Studies Teacher
Statesville High School
Statesville
08.1995 - 06.1999
- Implemented educational content required by state standards for Social Studies classes.
- Coordinated various extracurricular programs aimed at enhancing student development.
- Functioned in multiple leadership roles, including department chairperson.
Education
Doctor of Education - Educational Leadership
The University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, NC12.2008
Master of Arts - School Administration
The University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, NC05.2001
Coursework completed for Master of Arts - Education
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC08.1995
Bachelor of Arts - History Major, Women's Studies Minor
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC12.1993
Skills
- Leadership-Communication Skills
- Data Analysis
- Student Focus
- Continuous Improvement
- Project Management
- Human Resources
- Employee Relations
- Stakeholder Oriented
Accomplishments
- Served on executive cabinet leading the highest historical district performance composite and graduation rate and lowest dropout rate.
- Served on executive cabinet of district receiving two Race to the Top grants (2009 and 2012) totaling $24 million.
- Served on a cabinet leading the challenge of becoming a National Baldrige and North Carolina Award for Excellence winner.
- Served on a cabinet garnering an $18 million contribution by philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, resulting in our ability to create a scholarship for students to become teachers.
- UNC-Chapel Hill School of Education Outstanding Alumna Award (2005)
- North Carolina Principal Fellows (1991-2001)
- Jaycees Outstanding Young Educator of the Year (1997-98)
- Wake Forest University Master Teacher Fellow
- Wake Forest University Dean’s List
- Sallie Mae First Class Teacher Award Nominee and Finalist (1996)
Affiliations
- Empowered Parents in Community (EPiC) Board of Directors
- Durham CARES Mentoring Program Advisory Board
- Circle of Giving
- Rotary Club of Troutman – Executive Board – Membership Services Chairperson
- Dove House Children’s Advocacy Center Board of Directors
- North Carolina State Employees' Credit Union Advisory Board
- John Hope Franklin Scholars (Duke University) Coordinator, Teacher and Mentor
- AdvanceEd Special Review Team Member and Quality Assurance Review Team Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Team Member (Reviews: Indianapolis Public Schools, Duval County Schools, Clayton County Schools, Broward County Schools (2006), Palm Beach County Schools, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill MSA Revisioning Committee Member
- North Carolina Central University MSA Revisioning Committee Member
- Duke University MAT Revisioning Committee Member
- NCAfE Baldrige Examiner
- Diaknosis, Inc. Board of Directors
- Statesville Restoring Our Community (ROC) Board of Directors - Weed and Seed Effort
- North Carolina Teaching Fellows Screening Committee
- Women Harvesting Energy, Empowerment and Leadership (WHEEL)
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Assistant Superintendent of Human Resource Services
Durham Public Schools
01.2021 - 12.2024
Adjunct Professor
Gardner-Webb University
08.2011 - 05.2015
Associate Superintendent of Human Resource Services
Iredell-Statesville Schools
10.2010 - 01.2021
Adjunct Professor
The University of North Carolina
01.2010 - 05.2016
Sr Executive Director of Prof Growth & Development
Durham Public Schools
02.2006 - 10.2010
Chief Quality Assurance Officer
Iredell-Statesville Schools
07.2004 - 01.2006
Principal
Troutman Middle School
07.2002 - 06.2004
Assistant Principal
Statesville High School
07.2000 - 06.2002
Social Studies Teacher
Statesville High School
08.1995 - 06.1999
Doctor of Education - Educational Leadership
The University of North Carolina
Master of Arts - School Administration
The University of North Carolina
Coursework completed for Master of Arts - Education
Wake Forest University
Bachelor of Arts - History Major, Women's Studies Minor
Wake Forest University
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