Kia A. Billingsley, Ed. D.
EXECTUTIVE SUMMARY
Strategic and equity-driven district leader with 20+ years of instructional leadership experience,
including service as Executive Administrator for High Schools, Middle Schools, Elementary
Schools, Regional Coordinator, and Principal in one of Georgia’s largest and most diverse school
districts. Proven ability to lead large-scale instructional transformation, strengthen Tier 1
instruction, design districtwide professional learning systems, and support principals to
accelerate student achievement. Deep expertise in closing achievement gaps, implementing
high-quality instructional materials, and developing leaders through coaching, data-driven
decision-making, and continuous improvement frameworks.
Recognized for building strong cultures of learning, mobilizing communities, and driving strategic
initiatives aligned to district goals, including The Six Systems Framework, MIRACLES Framework,
Collaborative Calibration Visits, and strategic plan development. Champion for equitable access,
early literacy, multilingual learners, gifted, and high-quality curriculum and instruction.
EXECUTIVE INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
DeKalb County School District, Stone Mountain, GA July 2025 – Current
Executive Administrator, Middle Schools
DeKalb County Middle School Area: 16 Middle Schools (Grades 6-8)
o Middle School Area Instructional and Supervisory Responsibilities
8 Middle Schools
2 IB Schools
1 magnet school
Designed and implemented Extended Learning Time (ELT) Framework for the Middle
School Area
Supported the implementation of the Middle School Area’s Tiered Plan of Support
Implementation of feedback to leaders through Grow Level Data
Facilitated and supported the Curriculum and Instruction cross divisional collaboration for Job
Alike restructuring
Curriculum and Instruction liaison for the Division of Schools and Leadership
Organized and led consistent data professional learning for the Middle School Area
Designed and Co-presented “Instructional Planning for ELA” for all middle school principals
Support and assists planning professional development and help school leaders address
academic and other challenges to support student success
Engage in meaningful dialogue with Principals to address instructional, social and emotional,
and other needs of students and families
Assist principal and school leadership teams to expand their repertoire of instructional
strategies to ensure deeper leaning
Complete performance evaluations of Principals as requested by Area Superintendent
Support parents, students, families, and community members in resolving conflicts
Identify recurring obstacles to student success through the study of common causes of
discipline problems and works with school leadership to address these problems with
particular attention to the achievement gap
Collaborate with school teams to develop innovative, evidenced-based practices to support
effective teaching and learning
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Support a positive culture and climate in schools that is conducive to learning by providing
professional development and developing positive parent and community relationships
DeKalb County School District, Stone Mountain, GA July 2024 – July 2025
Executive Administrator, Area 3 Elementary Schools
DeKalb County Area 3: 11 Elementary Schools
o Area 3 Elementary School Instructional and Supervisory Responsibilities
8 Elementary Schools
1 magnet School
1 STEM School
2 Literacy Lead School recipients
1 1 Lead Math School recipient
Developed Area 3 SharePoint for effective communication and a repository of instructional
resources to support Area 3 principals, leaders, and teachers.
Developed and implemented workshop for Area 3 leaders on the implementation of effective
Professional Learning Communities
Designed and implemented workshop for rising leaders in DeKalb at the DeKalb Leadership
Institute on leveraging Reality Checks and CCVs to maximize impact on instruction
Organized and facilitated cross-divisional session to write and implement the DCSD
Professional Learning Community Framework
Developed and implemented the Executive Administrator Progress Monitoring Tool to
maximize instructional impact and results
Coach and supervised principals at the elementary level in schools to achieve higher
achievement levels for students with an emphasis on closing gaps
Focus on using multiple sources of data to assist principals in determining strategies to
support student success; identifies professional development needs based on data indicating
schools’ needs.
Support and assists planning professional development and help school leaders address
academic and other challenges to support student success
Engage in meaningful dialogue with principals to address instructional, social and emotional,
and other needs of students and families
Assist principal and school leadership teams to expand their repertoire of instructional
strategies to ensure deeper leaning
Complete performance evaluations of principals as requested by Area Superintendent
Support parents, students, families, and community members in resolving conflicts
Identify recurring obstacles to student success through the study of common causes of
discipline problems and works with school leadership to address these problems with
particular attention to the achievement gap
Developed and supported the implementation of district programing and goals including but
not limited to The Six Systems, the Strategic Plan, uniform master scheduling process and
procedures, DCSD Reality Checks, Learning Walks and Collaborative Calibration Visits in
Area 3
Collaborate with school teams to develop innovative, evidenced-based practices to support
effective teaching and learning
Support a positive culture and climate in schools that is conducive to learning by providing
professional development and developing positive parent and community relationships
DeKalb County School District, Stone Mountain, GA September 2023- June 2024
Executive Administrator, High Schools
DeKalb County High School Area: 22 High Schools and Centers
o High School Area Instructional and Supervisory Responsibilities
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8 high schools, centers, principals
1 school for exceptional education K-12
3 specialty schools
1 charter school
Achieved a historic overall graduation rate 79.1%
Achieved gains in every subgroup including Blacks and Hispanics for graduation rates.
Coach and supervised principals at the high School level in schools to achieve higher
achievement levels for students with an emphasis on closing gaps
Focus on using multiple sources of data to assist principals in determining strategies to
support student success; identifies professional development needs based on data indicating
schools’ needs.
Support and assists planning professional development and help school leaders address
academic and other challenges to support student success
Engage in meaningful dialogue with Principals to address instructional, social and emotional,
and other needs of students and families
Assist principal and school leadership teams to expand their repertoire of instructional
strategies to ensure deeper leaning
Complete performance evaluations of principals as requested by Area Superintendent
Support parents, students, families, and community members in resolving conflicts
Identify recurring obstacles to student success through the study of common causes of
discipline problems and works with school leadership to address these problems with
particular attention to the achievement gap
Work with the director of Strategic Planning to support the district strategic planning process
for 2024
Developed and supported the implementation of district programing and goals including but
not limited to The Six Systems, the Strategic Plan, uniform master scheduling process and
procedures, DCSD Reality Checks, Learning Walks and Collaborative Calibration Visits in
the inaugural High School Area
Collaborate with school teams to develop innovative, evidenced-based practices to support
effective teaching and learning
Support a positive culture and climate in schools that is conducive to learning by providing
professional development and developing positive parent and community relationships
Organized all the community input sessions for the implementation of the DCSD 2024-2029
Strategic Plan
DeKalb County School District June 2023- September 2023
Region IV Coordinator
DeKalb County Region IV Schools
o 17 schools, centers and principals
o Approx. 12,800 students in grades PreK – 12
o 2 comprehensive high schools
o 2 specialty schools
o 1 GNETS High School Center
o 3 middle schools
o 8 traditional elementary schools
o 1 GNETS elementary school center
Provided coaching and support to principals, assistant principals, leadership teams,
instructional coaches, department chairs, and teachers to develop capacity in improving
instruction through coaching, and professional learning communities
Assisted with analyzing national, state, and local assessment data as it relates to school,
individual student achievement, and the improvement of instruction
Built instructional coherence in the implementation of the District and State Performance
Standards and curriculum frameworks
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Assisted in the development and implementation of a well-articulated professional learning
plan to help school-based leadership to better understand the use of qualitative and
quantitative data to improve instruction and increase student achievement
Supported the implementation of strong Professional Learning Communities
Supported schools as they conduct grade and content level data-drive instructional meetings
on a continuous basis
Participated in core instructional content professional learning to bridge the gap between
district and school level expectations
Served as a liaison between the regional office and various stakeholder groups including
School Councils, Parent Community groups and organizations
Served as a regional representative in cross-division collaboration with DCSD
divisions/departments and state federal agencies that support teaching and learning
Collaborated with school leaders in leading instructional staff through the change theory
process to support student achievement
Remained up to date on exemplary practices through self-study, conferences, and other
capacity-building programs
Supported the development of the Regional Improvement Plan while facilitating the review of
the school’s CSIPs
Monitored the development of master schedule and instructional data reporting
SCHOOL BASED INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
McLendon Elementary, Decatur, GA January 2014- May 2023
Principal
Established high quality instructional program with effective interventions to close
achievement gaps and increase student achievement throughout each grade level
Established intervention programs which resulted in the removal from Georgia Focus List to
become High Progress Reward School in 2017
Provided support for all schools in Region 2 (27 schools) in planning and implementing the
Continuous School Improvement Process as the Continuous School Improvement Liaison for
Region 2 in DeKalb County School District
Established multiple corporate partnerships throughout the community including Publix,
Walmart, Tyler Perry Studios and State Farm resulting in over $30,000 in grants and
donations
Established community partnerships with local non-profit organizations including The
Gathering, Greater Baptist, and the Ismaili Community to provide more equitable
opportunities for a diverse school environment
Established partnership with DeKalb County Police Department to build positive relationships
with elementary students and local law enforcement agencies
Established programming for a diverse population of students while closing achievement gaps
through the following programs: Girls Who Code, STEM for Every Child and ESOL Science
Club
Foster the success of all students by facilitating the development, communication,
implementation, and evaluation of a shared vision of teaching and learning that leads to
school improvement
Promote the success of all students by developing, advocating, and sustaining an academically
rigorous, positive, and safe school climate for all stakeholders
Effectively gather, analyze, and use a variety of data to inform planning and decision-making
consistent with established guidelines, policies, and procedures
Foster the success of all students by supporting, managing, and overseeing the school’s
organization, operation, and use of resources
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Foster effective human resources and management through the selection, induction, support,
and retention of quality instructional and support personnel
Fairly and consistently evaluate school personnel in accordance with state and district
guidelines and provide them with timely feedback focused on improved student learning
Foster the success of students by demonstrating professional standards and ethics, engaging in
continuous professional development, and making contributions to the profession
Foster the success of all students by communicating and collaborating effectively with
stakeholders
Idlewood Elementary, Tucker, GA October 2012-January 2014
Midvale Elementary, Tucker, GA February 2011- June 2012
Assistant Principal
Coordinated scheduling for all students in accordance with state and district guidelines
Planned, updated, and monitored the implementation of the Consolidated School
Improvement Plan
Created and implemented professional development according to student, staff, and
community needs including but not limited to Writer’s Workshop, RTI, Teacher Performance
Standards, CCGPS, and Math Differentiation with MRESA
Created discipline referral form to help monitor and reduce suspensions
Used local, system and state data to make decisions at the school level to increase student
performance
Supported teachers and paraprofessionals with implementing state curriculum and instruction
Coordinated and monitor all state testing
Established Mustang Tutorial Program and provided Math Coach books for all students
grades 1st – 5th
Established cohesive Response to Intervention procedures
Supported the International Baccalaureate Reauthorization process and implementation of the
IB curriculum
Evaluated and confer with teachers on an individual basis to ensure teachers receive the
support needed to provide optimal instruction
Supported parents on an ongoing basis to provide support their children’s instructional and
behavioral concerns
Established an authentic instructional leadership team at Midvale to support and engage all
teachers in the instructional process
Idlewood Elementary, Tucker, GA August 2012 – October 2012
Success for All Facilitator
6th Avenue Elementary Charter School, Los Angeles, CA
Title I Coordinator July 2005 –June 2007
Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA August 2005- 2006
Part-time Faculty
Planned and created course syllabus for Cultural Paradigms course
Facilitated learning of diverse issues in education i.e. racism, classism, sexism, gender,
NCLB, and Special Education
Evaluated student work at the graduate level
Provided leadership for students
Provided guidance in lesson planning with respect to classroom demographics and thematic
units
DeKalb Library Foundation January 2020 – January 2022
Board of Directors
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Leadership DeKalb, DeKalb County, GA June 2018
Graduate
EDUCATION
Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA
Doctorate in Education August 2007
Leadership and Social Justice
Master of Arts in Education May 2002
Literacy and Language Arts
Xavier University, New Orleans, LA May 1995
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Minor in Biology
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