Agenda Item
d. PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATION FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION
Summary: Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources , 678.676.1200
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the hiring recommendation of Dr. Sean Tartt as our new Deputy Chief Academic Officer for the Division of Curriculum and Instruction.
Details: Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources , 678.676.1200
Contact: Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources , 678.676.1200
Effective: Upon Board approval
~ PROFESSIONAL RESUME ~
Sean R. Tartt, Ed.D.
Professional Summary
Education Administrator specializing in leadership, instructional planning, data analysis, school/district
operations, school improvement, and executive coaching. Highly skilled and accomplished instructional,
operational, and environmental leader with proven expertise in disaggregating school/district data to maximize
instructional opportunities for students and improve competencies of staff. Excellent leadership, presentation,
communication, computer, and analytical skills. An innovative leader and resourceful team player committed
to the development of students and staff on multiple levels.
Professional Strengths
Continuous Improvement Planning Process Improvements
Climate Improvement TKES/LKES Monitoring Support
Data Analysis Organizational Effectiveness
Testing and Assessments District Cluster Building
School/Regional/District Operations & Logistics Response to Intervention
Teacher/Administrator Professional Development Performance Evaluation
Conflict Resolution & Crisis Management Principal Professional Development
Team Building & Coaching Parent and Community Relations
Professional Experience
District Administrator, Curriculum & Instruction 2023 –Present
Region III Superintendent 2018 – 2023
DeKalb County Stone Mountain, GA
• Collaborates with divisions, departments, and schools to design and build out the Superintendent’s vision
for Academic Skills Centers, Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), Student Success Skills
Showcase, special programs, and instructional initiatives
• Collaborates with divisions and departments to support Horizon schools
• Partners with the MTSS district-level coordinators to develop the framework for progress monitoring for
the Academic Skills Centers
• Supervised 17 schools with over 14,000 students inclusive of elementary, middle, and high schools
• Supervised members of the micro cabinet that include facilities, transportation, professional learning
facilitators, and instructional technology
• Managed all local school, region, and ESSER/CARES budgets to ensure compliance
• Served as a contributing member of the Superintendent’s Senior Cabinet
• Serves as the liaison between the DeKalb County Commissioners and DeKalb County School District for
community engagement projects during Christmas
• Served as the Regional liaison for Operations and Curriculum and Instruction
• Served as a key member of the Superintendent’s Redistricting/SPLOST, Summer Leadership, Leadership
Development Planning Committees
• Led 2 of 4 (50%) Region 3 high schools to increased graduation rates in 22-23 and one site above 98%
• Led 14 of 17 (82%) Region 3 schools to no designation on any state improvement list
• Facilitated 2 of 3 schools being removed from the state’s school improvement list in 21-22
• Decreased discipline incidents by 732 incidents in the first semester of 18-19
• Increased high school graduation rates of four high schools within the region in a single year and led
the district in 18-19
• Facilitated 5 schools being removed from Georgia’s school improvement list in 18-19 and two more
in19-20
• Increased College and Career Readiness Performance Index (CCRPI) scores in 11 of 17 schools in
18-19
• Increased the CCRPI Climate Score for 7 schools in 18-19
Principal 2007 – 2018
Narvie J. Harris Traditional Theme School Decatur, GA
• Met or exceeded district/state academic requirements for 10 consecutive years
• Recognized by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement for being a Beating the Odds school
• Served as a district model for community, staff, student, and PTA engagement
• Served as Region 4’s Principals’ representative
• Served on Title I Steering Committee to revitalize Title I
• Served as a trainer and mentor for new principals with TKES/LKES
• Served on the Summer Leadership Conference Committee
• Managed the Title I Program both regular and extended day
• Created the master schedule and constructed effective instructional blocks
• Earned as many as 4 additional instructional allotments based on strategic master scheduling
• Monitored and implemented CCGPS/Common Core/Georgia Standards of Excellence
standards/benchmark assessments
• Planned, monitored, and hosted data instructional review meetings
• Managed budgets averaging $1.5 million (ASEPD, Title I, Local/State)
• Interviewed, secured, and retained highly effective local/district staff
• Supervised and monitored all extracurricular activities
• Created and maintained successful behavioral standards for students
• Designed and monitored the district’s largest “Deep Diving Dolphin” after school extended day program
(ASEDP), which challenged and helped students sharpen their academic knowledge
• Developed a plan that allowed for curriculum integration in special area/connections classes
• Devised and implemented a safe school plan and safe transportation procedures/rubrics for students and
bus drivers
• Planned, implemented, and monitored weekly professional development for all grade levels and content
area
• Modeled lessons and instructional strategies for grade level teachers weekly
• Analyzed a variety of data (standardized, benchmark, attendance, discipline, etc.) to inform instructional
decisions
Assistant Principal 2003 – 2007
Lithonia Middle School Lithonia, GA
• Co-created the master schedule and constructed effective instructional blocks
• Served as the primary administrator for 572 sixth grade students and oversaw the connections department
• Designed and maintained the target assisted and schoolwide Title I program
• Monitored the Teacher Evaluation process, Student Support Team, Peer Mediators, Counseling, and
Student Behavior Management
• Supervised and monitored all extracurricular activities
• Created and maintained successful behavioral standards for students
• Designed the “After the Bell” tutorial program
• Served as Site Administrator for Saturday School and Saturday Detention
• Built a plan that allowed for curriculum integration in special area/connections classes
• Devised a safe school plan that was tailored specifically to the needs and resulted in a decrease of school
discipline
• Constructed and implemented safe transportation procedures/rubrics for students and bus drivers
• Served as Summer School Site Facilitator and Testing Coordinator
• Served as Athletic Director and Transportation Liaison
• Founded and Sponsored “Men of Lithonia Middle School Mentoring Program”
• Served as Student Relations Tribunal Hearing Officer
• Served on Middle School Assistant Principals Advisory Instructional Committee
Health & Physical Education Teacher/Department Chair, Pre-K – 5th 1999 - 2003
Narvie J. Harris Traditional Theme School Decatur, GA
• Designed and implemented a structured health and physical education program that promoted good moral
character and curriculum integration
• Designed and implemented a healthy habits school-wide initiative for students, staff, and parents
• Designed an after-school program that challenged and promoted high student achievement in physical
education
• Taught science and math in the after-school program
• Designed and organized an annual Field Day program involving students, parents, and the community that
serve as a district model
• Served as the “Voice of the Chorus” and Master of Ceremony of special programs
• Served as the Special Area Department Chair
• Spearheaded the local school health index committee
Head Boys’ Junior Varsity & Assistant Varsity Boys’ Basketball Coach 2001-2002
Tucker High School Tucker, GA
• Built player character, improved player talent levels, and showcased player talent for collegiate
scholarship opportunities
• Assisted and managed player grade point averages and Georgia High School Association eligibility
• Designed and managed tryouts, pre-season, regular season, and holiday practices/tournaments
• Assisted with the ordering of team clothing/paraphernalia packages
• Developed, implemented, and adjusted the teams’ offensive and defensive strategies
• Scheduled transportation, pre-game meals, and team banquets
• Completed the Junior Varsity season with a 11-1 record
Summer Intern, Substitute Teacher/Textbook & Warehouse Clerk DeKalb County School
District Sam Moss Service Center 1996-1998
Stone Mountain, GA
• Taught kindergarten, 2nd, and 3rd grades in all subject areas
• Created curricula for summer school safety net program
• Created hands-on, engaging activity to motivate struggling learners
• Prepared, filled, and filed textbook orders
• Prepared, filled, and filed office supply orders
• Maintained grounds and restored damaged items
Presentations and Professional Development
AdvancED/COGNIA Review Team Presenter
Differentiation & Scaffolding
TKES/LKES Navigation & Portal Management
Creating Fun and Creative Classrooms
How to Integrate Technology in the Classroom
Prioritizing the Principalship
How to Build Instructional Capacity
How to Build Teacher Capacity
The Key to Building Teaching Leaders
Building and Maintaining a Positive School Culture
Designing Lessons for all Learners Using the Appropriate DOK
Incorporating Arts into the Curriculum
Multi-Tiered System of Support Implementation
Special Education: What is My Role and How Do I Get the Job Done?
Effective Co-Teaching Models
Planning with a Purpose (1.0 Lesson Planning and 2.0 Delving into the Data)
Paraprofessionals: What is My Role in the Instructional Process?
2023 Treasure Hunt Conference: Superintendents’ Cadence Panelist on Educating and Engaging Male Students
Honors and Awards
Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for Outstanding Community Service 2020
Congressman Hank Johnson
NAACP Education Award Runner Up 2019 and 2021
DeKalb County Chapter of the NAACP
Principal of the Year, Region IV 2014
DeKalb County School District
Principal of the Year Runner Up, Region IV 2013
DeKalb County School District
Governor’s Outstanding Contribution to Education 2009
Governor Sonny Perdue
Proclamation for Outstanding Service, Scholarship, and Leadership 2009
United States House of Representatives
Outstanding Citizen Award 2009 and 2018
Secretary of State
GA PTA Visionary Award 2007-2018
GA PTA District Director
DeKalb County Community Service Award 2002
Commissioner Larry Johnson
Education and Certificates
Academy of Creative Coaching Class of 2022 2022
Academy of Creative Coaching Lawrenceville, GA
Leadership DeKalb Class of 2020 2020
DeKalb County Decatur, GA
Doctorate Educational Leadership 2008
Argosy University Dunwoody, GA
Educational Specialist Educational Leadership 2005
Argosy University Dunwoody, GA
Master of Education in Educational Leadership 1999
Argosy University Dunwoody, GA
Bachelor of Science in Health & Physical Education 1998
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Tallahassee, FL
State Certifications
Georgia Professional Leadership Certificate (Educational Leadership)
Georgia Professional Teacher’s Certificate (Health & Physical Education Grades K-12)