David Kennington
Educator and School Leader
CV
Professional Summary
Dynamic educational professional with 24 years experience as a teacher and administrator at middle and high schools.
Proven leader with demonstrated success as an instructional coach, teacher-mentor, and evaluator. School leadership positions held at charter and traditional public schools.
Licenses
Teacher
Social Studies and English Certifications
CO #17101071
Principal
Secondary 6-12
CO #24372879
Work Experience
Odyssey Early Colleges and Career Options, Social Studies Teacher and Department Chair
2024-PRES
Co-instructor for university courses through National Education Equity Lab. Provides a robust educational experience in Economics, World Religions, and U.S. History courses.
Monument Academy High School, Principal
2022-2024
Hired as a transformational leader to complete the unfinished work of building a new high school. Energized the school community and formed wide partnerships with students, parents, and staff to successfully establish the first sustainable high school in the 27-year history of Monument Academy.
The Vanguard School, High School Assistant Principal
2018 - 2022
Provided servant leadership for 35 staff members and 300 students in a well-established and top-rated high school. Responsible for educator evaluations and professional development, student performance, MTSS and SPED liaison, student discipline and truancy. Led multiple teams charged with advancing the values, mission, and vision of the school.
Horizon Middle School, Assistant Principal
2016 - 2018
Administrator for 7th and 8th grades. School Assessment Coordinator, Leadership Team and Professional Learning Community (PLC) coordinator, Community Engagement Liaison, school security and EOP. Implemented Visible Learning school-wide improvement program.
Colorado Springs School District-11, Teacher and Administrator
2002 - 2016
English and Math teacher, East Middle School (2002-2004). International Baccalaureate History teacher and Department Chair, William J. Palmer High School (2004-2015). Interim Assistant Principal serving 2,000 students in grades 9-12 at Doherty High School (2015-2016).
U.S. Navy, Aviator
1992 - 2002
Skills
Educational Leadership
Track record of shaping school communities and empowering diverse teams of staff, students, and parents to advance the shared mission, vision, and values of the school.
Student Retention and Experience
Improved retention and expanded positive experiential opportunities for students. Inaugurated 'Experience Nights' for 8th graders to participate in high school academics and activities. Developed a program which achieved 96% retention between secondary schools, reducing what had been a traditional attrition rate of 20-25%.
School Renewal | Change Leader
Implemented a Tutoring Center at Horizon Middle to raise student achievement. This resulted in 1,400 student visits in one semester, which produced an expanded honor roll and significantly lower rates of failure in an academically at-risk school with 47% FRL.
Security and Emergency Operations
Led emergency operation planning and security teams at multiple schools. Selected by the Monument Academy School Board to oversee the new armed staff program and develop protocols for two campus locations, including elementary, middle, and high school staff.
Education
Old Dominion University
Masters of Science. Education. 2002
University of Colorado
Bachelor of Arts. History. 1992