Rachel Dowell

About Rachel Dowell

I am an education leader who focuses on developing strong leaders and building the systems that allow schools to improve over time. As Chief Academic Officer for Harding Charter Preparatory School District, I work across multiple campuses to strengthen instructional leadership, develop school leaders, and implement the structures that support high-quality teaching and student success. My work centers on designing systems around curriculum, assessment, professional learning, and performance feedback that allow educators to collaborate, grow, and respond effectively to student needs.Throughout my career, I have worked at the classroom, school, and district levels, including roles as a Latin teacher, instructional leader, and assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. These experiences have shaped my belief that sustainable school improvement depends not only on strong instructional practices, but on leaders who know how to build and manage systems that support those practices.My leadership focuses on:• Developing instructional leaders who can coach teachers, lead collaborative teams, and strengthen classroom practice• Building sustainable systems for curriculum alignment, assessment, and instructional planning• Designing performance feedback and professional learning structures that support teacher growth• Using data systems to monitor student progress and guide targeted intervention• Strengthening collaboration among educators, families, and communities to support student successRecent work includes:• Designing and implementing a district-wide instructional model that provides clear expectations for lesson design, student engagement, and academic rigor• Developing a teacher performance review framework that supports meaningful feedback, coaching, and professional growth• Supporting school leaders in building collaborative instructional teams focused on student learning and continuous improvement• Expanding data monitoring systems that help schools identify students needing additional academic supportThese efforts have contributed to measurable improvements in school performance, including supporting a middle school improvement from D to C overall and B in academic achievement, and helping the high school achieve an A overall rating and A in academic achievement on the state report card.I am passionate about developing leaders, building strong instructional systems, and creating the conditions that allow educators and students to succeed.

Experience

1. Chief Academic Officer

   Harding Charter Preparatory School District

   Jul 2023 — Present · Oklahoma City, OK, US

   Provide instructional leadership and program oversight for a multi-campus college preparatory charter school district serving middle and high school students.Key areas of responsibility include curriculum alignment, instructional coaching systems, teacher evaluation processes, and monitoring student academic progress across campuses.Highlights:• Developed and implemented a district-wide instructional model focused on effective lesson design and student engagement• Designed and launched a teacher performance review system to support instructional improvement and professional growth• Built systems to monitor student performance data and identify students needing additional academic support• Collaborate with school leaders to support student attendance, discipline, and academic progress• Support program planning, course scheduling, and resource allocation across campusesResults:• Contributed to improved school accountability outcomes, including a middle school improvement from D to C overall and B in academic achievement• Supported district initiatives that resulted in the high school earning an A overall rating and A in academic achievement

Education

• Leadership Oklahoma City

  Signature Class 42

  2025

• University of Oklahoma

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Latin, Philosophy

  2006 — 2009

• University of Oklahoma

  Master of Education (M.Ed.), Educational Leadership and Curriculum Supervision

  2012 — 2015

Skills

• Teacher Training
• Staff Development
• Public Speaking
• Curriculum Development
• Classroom Management
• Educational Technology
• Educational Leadership
• Team Building
• Classroom
• Lesson Planning
• Tutoring
• Curriculum Mapping
• Teaching
• Curriculum Design
• Event Management
• Instructional Leadership
• Team Leadership