Naima L. D.

About Naima L. D.

Dr. Naima Duncan is a Lead Educator (Assistant Principal) in Camden City, New Jersey. For over 25 years, she has provided mentorship to new teachers and professional development training throughout the United States and abroad. Her philosophy is rooted in providing quality instruction, rigor and high expectations to all students, no matter the background or challenges they may face. Dr. Duncan’s research entitled,\"Kindergarten Readiness Expectations and Challenging Behaviors in Preschool Children: Is There a Connection?\" examined state and federal policies that require preschool programs to meet new academic expectations and how they affect the primacy of social-emotional skill development in preschool classrooms.

Experience

1. Assistant Principal (Lead Educator)

   Camden City School District

   Sep 2017 — Present

   Develop, manage and implement school-level goals*Establish and communicate a shared, outcomes-driven mission and vision with a clear action plan for realizing school goals.*Consistently monitor progress towards goals and pursue continuous improvement*Work with Early Childhood Administrators including center directors, district program director, supervisors, principals, vice principals and lead educators to evaluate programs and practices.*Work with Early Childhood teachers and administrators to ensure that curriculum and instruction is aligned to the NJ Preschool Standards and Preschool Implementation Guidelines.*Assist in the development and implementation of a performance-based system for measuring and assessing skills and knowledge of the early childhood population (i.e, Teaching Strategies Gold, ECERS, SELA, PCMI, PRISM).*Assist in effectively collaborating with the Special Services Department to ensure coordination of services leading to maximized rates of inclusion of preschool-aged children in general education settings.(i.e, Least Restrictive Environment).*Summarize, interpret, and disseminate current developments in instruction, learning theory and cognitive research through the reading of professional journals, participation in professional development, and involvement in professional organizations.*Train, manage, supervise, and coach school-based staff with a focus on providing actionable, concrete feedback*Evaluate the progress of all school-based staff in accordance with state and district approved models and procedures*Provide assistance and strategies as well as professional development sessions designed to help teachers and other professionals implement developmentally appropriate practices and optimize children’s learning and development in all domains.*Recognize, maximize, and retain high-performing staff members while taking timely corrective actions and interventions with persistently low performers

Education

• Saint Elizabeth University

  Master of Education - MEd

• Montclair State University

  Bachelor of Arts (BA), Early Childhood Education and Teaching

  1994 — 1999

• Saint Elizabeth University

  Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Educational Leadership and Administration

  2011 — 2014