Michael Lewis Lefko, Ed.D
Matthews
Summary
Dynamic Exceptional Children’s Program Specialist, school leader and educator with a proven track record excelling in instructional coaching. Successfully enhanced capacities of teachers, staff and administrators while fostering strong relationships with staff, families and advocating for student needs. Skilled in data analysis to drive educational improvements.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Exceptional Children’s Program Specialist
Rowan- Salisbury Schools
Salisbury
07.2023 - Current
- Carry the banner of the vision and mission for the Exceptional Children’s Department in my work supporting the Exceptional Children’s programs in my assigned schools.
- Support and ensure compliance of Exceptional Children’s records and service delivery for students with IEPs.
- Coached and mentored Exceptional Children’s teachers on compliance and effective service delivery, enhancing program implementation.
- Collaborated with school-based administrative teams to ensure effective operation of Exceptional Children’s programs, fostering student success.
- Increased the capacity of Exceptional Children’s teachers to enhance their instructional practices to provide effective service delivery for students’ Individual Education Programs (IEPs).
- Developed the capacity of Exceptional Children’s teachers and staff to facilitate professional learning communities (PLCs) analyzing student performance data to adjust service delivery to maximize student growth.
- Co-facilitate and support the school support team coordinating specialists within the district in support of Exceptional Children’s Teacher professional development.
- Work with school Exceptional Children’s teams modelling the effective facilitation of professional learning community (PLC) meetings.
- Serve and support the Exceptional Children’s Department in the delivery of district-based professional development for Exceptional Children’s certified and classified staff.
- Design and Implement training and recruitment for surrogate parents within the district.
- Increased the number of trained surrogate parents serving the district in IEP meetings where required.
- Developed capacity of school administrators to manage special education programs effectively, improving support for students with IEPs.
Exceptional Children’s Teacher
Union County Public Schools
Indian Trail
08.2017 - 06.2023
- Design curriculum and teach study skills curriculum to at-risk exceptional students to teach them self-advocacy skills and skills for school success.
- Developed and implemented curricula addressing academic, functional, and social needs of students with disabilities to enhance their learning experiences.
- Identify children's collective and individual learning needs to plan, prepare, and deliver instruction designed to maximize individual learning and capture interest.
- Co-taught 8th grade math, science, and social studies. Teach self-contained class with students with Autism.
- Led Special Education Team as Chairperson, facilitating professional learning community (PLC) meetings and mentoring teachers to uphold compliance in special education documentation.
- Advocated for students and parents to secure appropriate services and supports, fostering student success in school.
- Ensured compliance of Exceptional Children’s files by organizing and maintaining accurate documentation for headcount.
- Guided beginning teachers in navigating essential skills for success as an EC teacher.
Director for Student Support Services
Pioneer Springs Community Charter School
Huntersville
06.2016 - 08.2017
- Hired in consultative capacity in May 2016 to resolve compliance issues in service delivery and management of exceptional children's folders, leading to improved adherence to regulations.
- Supervised and managed Exceptional Children's Department, 504 Program and ELL services.
- Oversaw and guided teachers in planning, instructional strategies, and management of exceptional children's documentation.
- Managed and monitored the department budget to ensure financial accountability and resource allocation.
- Conducted interviews and selected instructional staff to build a qualified and effective teaching team.
- Facilitated the school getting out of Department of Public Instruction audit for Exceptional Children’s paperwork compliance.
- Developed clear processes and timelines for evaluation referrals to ensure timely responses and better communication with families.
Exceptional Children’s Teacher
China Grove Middle School
Salisbury
01.2016 - 06.2016
Exceptional Children’s Department Coordinator
Langtree Charter Academy
Mooresville
01.2013 - 12.2015
- Directed, supervised, and mentored team of six Exceptional Children's Teachers instructionally and in area of Special Education Compliance.
- Ensured compliance of Exceptional Children's Program with student services and official paperwork requirements.
- Ensured students received appropriate services in Least restrictive Environment.
- Facilitated successful resolution of Department of Public Instruction audit regarding Exceptional Children’s paperwork compliance.
- Organized exceptional children's paperwork compliance.
- Advocated for parents and families navigating Special Education process.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents and families during special education process, enhancing overall satisfaction.
- Co-taught inclusion classes and resource pull out classes in Language Arts and Math.
- Contributed to school leadership team by participating in decision-making processes.
Academic Director
The Academy at S.O.A.R.
Balsam
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Led school improvement initiatives by planning, coordinating, and implementing initial accreditation process, enhancing institutional credibility.
- Accomplished Academy at SOAR becoming AdvancED/Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) accredited private school.
- Created and planned individualized curricula for students in grades 6 – 12 with learning disabilities and ADHD.
- Consulted with prospective and current parents to develop most effective educational programs for students.
- Hired qualified licensed teachers to implement viable curriculum, transforming adventure-based camp into accredited academic academy for grades 6-12.
- Coordinated school's first academic achievement testing for students grades 6-12 utilizing Stanford 10 in reading and mathematics.
- Established baseline data for new school to guide testing and data analysis, enabling informed future academic decisions.
- Collected and Disaggregated Data to amend school improvement plan addressing stakeholder concerns.
- Budgeted and allocated resources and funds including ordering supplies, instructional materials, and classroom equipment for the school.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents and families and colleagues.
Exceptional Children’s Teacher
Pinewood Elementary School
Charlotte
01.2009 - 01.2010
Assistant Principal
Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools
08.2005 - 06.2009
- Analyzed student performance data as a member of the leadership team focusing on subgroups in need of interventions to improve student achievement ensuring that subgroups identified participate in targeted interventions to improve adequate yearly progress (AYP).
- Facilitated the implementation and enforcement of school and district disciplinary systems and procedures according to the student code of conduct.
- Collaborated with an administrative team to enhance the school culture at a Title I middle school.
- Collaborated with the administrative team to manage operations and functions in Title One corrective action.
- Facilitated teacher reflection on practices, through dialogue, collaboration, and data analysis.
- Observed and mentored teachers utilizing countywide performance instrument and 3-Minute Classroom Walk-Thru model.
- Supervised Social Studies department, English as a Second Language department, Exceptional Children's department and various grade level teams up to 60 staff members.
- Ensured that staff duty schedules were created, up to date and implemented in an equitable and effective way.
- Coordinated essential activities to support effective school operations.
- Managed field trip logistics to ensure that staff had the information and resources necessary for scheduled field trips.
- Oversaw and managed acquisition, organization, tracking and distribution of textbooks for the school.
- Assisted teachers ensuring proper delivery of special education services for students and maintenance of legally compliant special education paperwork.
- Supported Exceptional Children’s teachers in maintaining compliant paperwork and delivering appropriate services for students.
- Established community business partnerships for donations that supported behavior management program, contributing to decreased suspensions and instructional disruptions.
- Developed and fostered strong relationships with faculty and staff as well as parents and community partners.
- Supervised rising 6th grade orientations for feeder elementary schools.
Assistant Principal Intern
Guilford County Schools
Greensboro
08.2004 - 06.2005
- Determined allocations of funds for classroom supplies and materials, authorizing purchases.
- Referred to student performance data to set educational goals and standards.
- Partnered with teaching staff to develop and improve curriculum offerings for students.
- Observed teaching methods and examined learning materials to determine areas needing improvement.
- Observed teachers under classroom conditions to track professional abilities and identify areas in need of improvement.
- Oversaw day-to-day work of classroom teachers, administrative staff and school personnel to expertly serve students' needs and meet district and state standards.
- Enforced school rules for attendance, discipline and honesty.
- Cultivated positive relationships with parents and staff to facilitate school operations and student success.
- Resolved various situations to cultivate strong student and parent relationships.
- Visited classrooms to evaluate teacher instructional techniques as part of annual evaluation cycle.
- Guided instruction by mentoring teachers to improve leadership and teaching effectiveness.
- Instructed teachers on classroom management, behavior and instructional strategies.
- Developed positive relationships with school students, teachers and local community.
- Supervised faculty meetings to ensure that all staff members were informed of school initiatives.
- Collaborated with other administrators to develop, review, and implement school policies and procedures.
- Conducted classroom observations to evaluate teacher performance and provide feedback accordingly.
- Implemented various methods of communication between administrators, parents, teachers, and students in order to foster strong relationships across stakeholders.
- Monitored student discipline referrals and implemented appropriate disciplinary actions when necessary.
- Maintained a safe learning environment by monitoring hallways, cafeteria, playgrounds, restrooms. during lunch periods and after school hours.
- Developed strategies for improving overall school climate through positive reinforcement techniques such as rewards systems and incentives programs.
- Analyzed data from standardized tests results in order to identify areas of improvement for curriculum design.
Exceptional Children’s Teacher
Welborn Middle School
High Point
01.2001 - 01.2003
Exceptional Children’s Teacher
Shadybrook Elementary School
High Point
01.1993 - 01.2001
Exceptional Children’s Teacher
North Garner Middle School
Garner
01.1991 - 01.1993
Education
Doctorate of Curriculum and Instruction -
Gardner-Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC02.2023
Master of School Administration - North Carolina Principal Fellows Class 10
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, North Carolina05.2005
Bachelor of Science - Special Education
State University of New York at Geneseo
Geneseo, NY06.1991
Skills
- Special education training
- Data analysis
- Curriculum development
- Advocacy strategies
- Instructional coaching
- Professional development
- Relationship building
- Leadership skills
Timeline
Exceptional Children’s Program Specialist
Rowan- Salisbury Schools
07.2023 - Current
Exceptional Children’s Teacher
Union County Public Schools
08.2017 - 06.2023
Director for Student Support Services
Pioneer Springs Community Charter School
06.2016 - 08.2017
Exceptional Children’s Teacher
China Grove Middle School
01.2016 - 06.2016
Exceptional Children’s Department Coordinator
Langtree Charter Academy
01.2013 - 12.2015
Academic Director
The Academy at S.O.A.R.
01.2011 - 01.2013
Exceptional Children’s Teacher
Pinewood Elementary School
01.2009 - 01.2010
Assistant Principal
Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools
08.2005 - 06.2009
Assistant Principal Intern
Guilford County Schools
08.2004 - 06.2005
Exceptional Children’s Teacher
Welborn Middle School
01.2001 - 01.2003
Exceptional Children’s Teacher
Shadybrook Elementary School
01.1993 - 01.2001
Exceptional Children’s Teacher
North Garner Middle School
01.1991 - 01.1993
Doctorate of Curriculum and Instruction -
Gardner-Webb University
Master of School Administration - North Carolina Principal Fellows Class 10
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Bachelor of Science - Special Education
State University of New York at Geneseo