Michelle Di Ponio-Barsh, Ed.S.

2699 Katie Lane, Milford, Michigan 48380

bbarsh@comcast.net | Cell:(248) 660-5770 | @MichelleBarsh

CAREER OBJECTIVE AND PERSONAL BELIEF

Objective: To further my skills as an Elementary Principal and Lead Learner. I strive to provide servant leadership
to faculty, staff, students, and families. I aspire to meet the needs of the entire school community; assisting in the
personal and professional growth of each member of the organization while collaborating toward a shared vision and
a culture of success.

Personal belief: Leadership must be joyful, collaborative, and courageous. Leaders must be trustworthy, forward
thinking, competent, and inspiring; striving to ensure success for all. I passionately role model and help build a
culture of learning, collaboration, and innovation; all the while, giving back and leaving the profession better than I
found it.

I am a dedicated, passionate, goal driven, elementary school principal with more than 23 years of
professional experience. I am passionate about learning, leading, and growing my skills.

EDUCATION
Educational Specialist in Leadership, Ed.S., 2015-2017, GPA 4.0
Oakland University, Rochester MI: K-12 Administrator Certificate

Galileo Leadership Academy, 2015-2017

One of three teachers representing Huron Valley Schools in a two-year cohort to promote Teacher Leadership.

Master of Education, Early Childhood, M.Ed., 1994-1996, GPA 3.87

Oakland University, Rochester MI: ZA Endorsement

Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education (K-8), B.S., 1989-1993, GPA 3.55

Oakland University, Rochester MI: 6-8 Language Arts BX, K-12 Reading Specialist BR
Michigan Professional Certificate

ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE

Clarenceville School District – 2017 to Present – Livonia, MI

Grandview Elementary School Principal: Pre-school, GSRP, K-5
Responsibilities include all areas of building oversight; including academic, social, and emotional leadership of 410
students, their families, and 53 staff members.

ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS

Michigan Adequacy Study-School Finance Research Collaborative, January 12, 2018
One of 52 principals in Michigan chosen to examine the resources needed for students, teachers, schools, and
districts to meet Michigan’s academic standards on the Professional Judgment Panelist for Small Districts.
NAESP – Michigan PreK-3 Literacy Leadership Academy, 2018-2019
One of 28 principals in Michigan in the first cohort of a PreK-3 Leadership Academy designed to partner with
NAESP to provide a high quality professional learning and resource program to elementary principals in Michigan.

Highlighted Administrator accomplishments:

 Developed K-2 reading partnership with local church for weekly volunteers to read to at risk students.
 Implemented school-wide positive behavior program integrating The Positivity Project, RULER, monthly
Mustang Assemblies, Mustang Meet-ups, and Monthly Principal’s Breakfast
 Assisted staff in implementation of Reading Workshop and the 10 Essential Literacy practices
 Reviewed and revised MTSS program for behavior and social emotional growth by implementing the
district’s first Student Support Coach in elementary and developing its mission and vision
 Reviewed and revised MTSS program for intervention by implementing bi-weekly check-ins; presented
and was approved to purchase F&P’s Leveled Literacy Intervention (LLI) program for district adoption
 Professional Learning: Reading Workshop, NPDL, 10 Essential Literacy Practices, Facilitated School
Improvement, RULER, Illuminate, MRA and MACUL
 Awarded Education Foundation Principal’s Grant
 Computer Competency: Google, MiStar, AESOP, Moodle, Atlas, AdvancEd, Assist, Frontline Illuminate,
BAA, EDirect, Danielson Trained

TEACHER EDUCATION EXPERIENCE

Huron Valley Schools, 1998 -2017, Highland, MI
Elementary Instructional Specialist/Literacy Coach: Grades K-5, 2014–2017
Heritage Elementary School – Highland, MI
Teacher: Grades K, 1, 2, 1998–2014

Clarkston Community Schools, 1993-1998, Clarkston, MI

Teacher: Grades K, 2, and 3

TEACHER LEADERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS

Huron Valley Schools New Teacher Orientation and Mentor/Mentee Program, 2016-17
Responsible for planning and implementing the district New Teacher Orientation program, and Mentor/Mentee
program in collaboration with HVS Deputy Superintendent and HVEA president.

Huron Valley Schools ELA K-12 Alignment, Summer 2015, 2016

Summer 1: MAISA Reading and Writing unit work, Summer 2: cross checked CCSS to MAISA Reading and
Writing units, supplemented units, and integrated Word Study and Grammar into current units of study.

Cultures of Thinking, 2013-2016

Participated in Year 1, 2, and 3 Cultures of Thinking training with Ron Ritchhart. Implemented building-wide
Cultures of Thinking Professional Development for staff integrating with building Leader in Me program.

The Leader in Me, 2010

Trained in Franklin Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective people, implemented Leadership Habits in classroom and
school, served on school Lighthouse Team, attended annual Leader in Me Symposium in Pennsylvania; school was
honored with Lighthouse Status from Franklin Covey.

All Day, Alternate Day Kindergarten, 1998-2000

Implemented all aspects of the program in collaboration with Dr. Nancy Coratti; researching, observing, piloting,
implementing, and educating the community on the All Day Alternate Day Kindergarten Program in Huron Valley
Schools.
Highlighted Teacher Leadership accomplishments:

 MTSS Tier 2: Implemented Tier 2 intervention program with a team of 4 para-educators.

 Analyzed, documented and tracked intervention data for 125 students based on intervention criteria
 Tier 2 Fidelity: Scheduled grade level intervention blocks into master schedule and assisted teachers in
planning in addition to instruction during blocks.
 Identified bottom 30% in student achievement by cross-referencing district ID students with district and
state assessments to ensure intervention for all; resulting in school rating of a Yellow to a Lime measured
by the State of Michigan.
 Completed and submitted yearly Program Evaluation Tool
 Instructional Coaching Leadership: Modeled and team taught best practices in Literacy, Reading
Workshop, Cultures of Thinking, Leader in Me, and provided BAS Third Edition and F&P training.
 Created job embedded learning opportunities: Classroom Labs, in-school EdCamp
 Implemented Throwback Thursdays: Before school Professional Learning
 Building Leadership: School Improvement Steering Committee, Cultures of Thinking, School Culture,
Reading Month, Staff Lighthouse Team/Leader in Me, MStep building testing coordinator, WIDA building
testing coordinator, School Crisis Team.
 District Leadership: ELA K-12 Alignment, HVS Choice Day presenter, HVS New Teacher Orientation
Leader, HVS Mentor/Mentee Leader, and Monthly HVS Twitter Chat #HVSPROUD co-moderator

PRINCIPAL RESULTS-STAFF SURVEY

“Our principal is a genuine leader. She is positive and supportive and looks for the good in every person and
circumstance. She wants everyone to be the best they can be and provides guidance and opportunities to help us
be our best selves.”

“Michelle is sincere, honest, and hardworking. Her willingness to listen to the staff, understand our concerns, appreciate where
we have been and where we wanted to go and be willing to lead us, not simply where SHE wanted, but where WE wanted is
truly appreciated. She is an excellent leader.”

“It is not unusual to see Michelle spending a quiet moment with a student building relationships with them. I feel
very supported by her. If I need help, I am confident Michelle would help in any way.”

“The results of the parent survey speak for themselves. A family atmosphere came up time after
time. The little notes and gifts are a positive too.”

“There is nothing I would change. She should keep up with all of the awesome things she has implemented
(Principal’s Breakfast, consistent assemblies, Mustang groups). I know she will keep up her positive
approach to everything because it’s contagious!”

“Michelle’s many years of experience show and she gives amazing feedback that makes you want to become a
better teacher!”

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITY INITIATIVES

ASCD, MEMSPA, MRA
Oakland University Alumni Ambassador - School of Education
Community and Church Service Projects and Outreach

INTERESTS
Spending time with my husband, three children, extended family, and friends,
Exercise, Health
Reading and researching Evidence Based Practices in Education
Walt Disney World - The Disney Institute - Disney Organizational Leadership
Travel Favorites: Naples, Florida, Walt Disney World, Sant’Elia Fiumerapido, Italy; my Italian Culture and Heritage