About Me
CHANGING ACADEMIC CULTURE
Hi, I’m Suzanne Morris-Sherer, a 30 year educational veteran, with proven experience in building a strong academic culture, as well as building a positive staff/ student culture. My 14 years as a successful principal, 3 years at the district level as an instructional superintendent, and my 2 years as an adjunct professor at Denver University, have given me the insight, experience and skillset to support other leaders in achieving their goals.
I’VE WALKED IN YOUR SHOES
I know the challenges you are going through today, because I’ve faced them too. We have to strategically plan for the unknown. I can help you get on top of the chaos.
I’ve led 3 schools to high levels of academic success. I have been successful in creating positive school culture, developing a strong data culture and improving student achievement. My work and efforts paid off starting with the first school that I led. Side Creek Elementary was recognized in 5280 Magazine as one of the best elementary schools in the metro area, in my first year there. In my time there we were recognized by the Governor's Office for school improvement three times in the 6 years I was principal.
At Thomas Jefferson High School, I was again successful in creating a positive school culture, developing a strong data culture and improving student achievement. In my first year, I took TJ from Yellow/Approaching to Green/ Effective, as indicated on the Colorado State Performance Framework metric. Over the 3 years I was at TJ, it continued to be a high growth school.
The last school I led was McAuiffe Manual Middle School. This is a school that has a high trauma population and a student population of 81% majority minority students. The pandemic hit mid year of my first year there. Despite the pandemic, my team and I were able to revamp and improve student and staff culture. We worked to create a culture where there was a deep belief in our students, and also a culture where students believed in themselves and took pride in their achievements. During the 2021-2022 school year, McAuliffe Manual went from Yellow/Approaching to Green/Effective. With the implementation of an Expeditionary Learning (EL) focus, the school will continue to grow.
In my time as an Instructional Superintendent, I supported systemic growth on the district level. In 3 years I supported five, 6-12 schools and later I also supported eight traditional high schools. In all these schools I was able to put my skill set to work as I supported leaders to help them achieve the goals they had for their schools.
I have also supported adult learners working towards administrative positions as an Adjunct Professor at Denver University in the Morgridge School of Education. In the 2 years I was an Adjunct, many of my interns became either Principals or Assistant Principals in DPS or other large Metropolitan districts. I have a proven record of success at many levels.