Rebecca Mercer
Denver
Summary
Accomplished Administrator and instructional leader with extensive experience in educational leadership and a strong commitment to equity. Proven track record in developing mission-driven initiatives, implementing evidence-based instructional practices, and leading professional development. Expertise in fostering positive learning environments and enhancing school culture through innovative strategies for student engagement. Significant contributions to curriculum standards and continuous school improvement in previous roles.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Principal
Isabella Bird Community School
Denver
07.2020 - Current
- Awarded the Governor’s John Irwin Award for Academic Excellence, recognizing sustained high achievement and academic growth across all content areas.
- Attained Green Flag Status from National Wildlife Federation, highest recognition for school sustainability through collaborative leadership among students, staff, and parents.
- Elevated enrollment by 17% from 2022–2023 to 2024–2025 through inclusive programming, culture enhancement, and excellence reputation
- Elevated school performance from "Yellow" to "Green – Exceeds Expectations" in literacy, mathematics, and science (CDE School Performance Framework).
- Directed whole-child initiatives, achieving 99% of students feeling welcome and safe.
Facilitated strong communication regarding academic progress, with 96% informed. - Executed CAHN Fellows Leadership Lab, applying design thinking to spearhead equity-focused, innovative change aligned with student needs.
- Mentored aspiring principals through University of Denver Ritchie Program and Learn to Lead Residency, advancing leadership pipeline development.
- Orchestrated successful Innovation Renewal initiative, integrating school vision, operations, and programming to promote equity, inclusion, and whole-child development.
- Established and rolled out Gifted Magnet Program, conforming to NAGC standards while focusing on equitable access and excellence.
- Created and scaled a school-wide inclusive gifted model using cluster grouping, serving diverse learners with intentional supports.
- Acquired three-year CDE grant to enhance mental and behavioral health services through family and community collaboration.
- Navigated school through COVID-19 by implementing robust health protocols and continuity systems that protected student learning and well-being.
- Demonstrated leadership style of "high expectations and heart," cultivating a culture of care, excellence, and equity.
- Established data-driven MTSS framework, incorporating academic, SEL, and behavioral supports based on whole-child assessment.
- Fostered student agency and self-advocacy, ensuring students actively participate in learning and school climate initiatives.
- Cultivated dynamic family and community engagement, strengthening caregiver alliances in decision-making and enhancing student success.
- Advanced a visionary model of the school as a community anchor for equity, sustainability, and student-led transformation.
Design Committee Member
The Logan Learning Lab
Denver
08.2018 - 07.2020
- Develop, implement, and finance enrichment programs addressing needs of under-represented gifted learners using diverse-by-design model.
- Created strategic partnerships with Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Carson Foundation, and Denver Foundation for community development.
Partnered with ReSchool Colorado to advance educational reform initiatives.
Senior Team Lead/Gifted and Talented Teacher
Isabella Bird Community School
Denver
08.2014 - 07.2020
- Architect and launch gifted education initiatives prioritizing equity and increased access for marginalized student groups
- Conduct universal screening utilizing NNAT and Cogat, serving as DPS identification specialist leveraging CDE pathways.
- Guided and empowered group of educators through coaching, observation, and feedback, advancing professional learning and enabling collaborative team time to build capacity; PEBC cognitive coaching.
- Facilitate professional development units (PDUs) for educators focusing on depth and complexity, designing effective advanced learning plans, and addressing affective needs of gifted learners.
- Championed comprehensive OG training for all K-2 educators, achieving an 85% success rate in 2019 Early Lit data.
Directed professional learning sessions centered around mathematics standards progression. - Led implementation of data-driven instruction with an emphasis on equity.
Secured 64 median growth percentile for English Language Learning students in 2019 CMAS ELA assessment.
Achieved a median growth percentile of 72 for students of color in 2019 CMAS ELA. - Achieved remarkable 97% growth on iReady assessments in 4th grade DDI.
Coached and developed specialists for enhanced teaching strategies in the 4th grade team.
Realized 93% growth on ACCESS assessments, supporting English language development.
Facilitated ELA Interim data results, with 84% of students meeting or exceeding standards.
Increased ELA CMAS participation rates, achieving 70.7% met or above scores.
Elevated ELA CMAS FRL met percentage by 38% from previous academic year.
Gifted and Talented Teacher
Ashley Elementary School
Denver
08.2014 - 06.2015
- Engage community in understanding characteristics and identification of gifted children across various racial, linguistic, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds and strategies to address these distinct needs
- Develop website featuring extensive resources on gifted education
Behavior Specialist/Special Education Teacher
Tampa
08.2004 - 08.2006
- Support administrators at targeted schools throughout the district with creating behavioral systems to lower suspension data and support whole child efforts
- Analyzed district-wide discipline data to identify needs for behavioral response enhancement.
Targeted highest-need schools for implementation of school-wide behavior intervention (PBIS).
Conducted assessments to evaluate effectiveness of behavioral strategies across multiple schools.
Collaborated with stakeholders to customize PBIS frameworks based on specific school challenges. - Deliver evidence-driven professional development, instructional coaching, behavioral coaching, and technical assistance to enhance data-driven problem solving with school teams.
ESE Department Head/Special Education Teacher
Thomas E Weightman Middle School
Wesley Chapel
07.2002 - 06.2004
- Teach all core content in a self-contained affective needs classroom
- Facilitated data collection and implementation of Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) processes.
Chaired manifestation hearings to ensure compliance with regulations.
Implemented Positive Behavior Intervention Plan (PBIP) processes to support student behavior improvement.
Affective Needs Center Teacher
Benito Middle School
Tampa
07.2001 - 07.2002
- Design practical, significant, applicable, and stimulating cross-disciplinary educational experiences
- Facilitate data collection and execution of Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and Positive Behavior Intervention Plan (PBIP) processes.
Education
Principal Licensure Program - Educational Administration
Denver LEAD Today
Denver, CO05.2021
Master of Arts - Curriculum and Instruction- Gifted and Talented
Regis University
Denver, CO01.2014
Counseling Psychology -
St. Leo University
St. Leo, Florida06.2001
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of New Hampshire
Durham, NH07.1995
Skills
- Data-informed teaching
- Whole-child initiative
- Innovative programming
- Equity-focused leadership
- Gifted education design
- Mentorship and coaching
- Change management
- Relationship building and networking
- Verbal and written communication
- Budget administration
- Faculty training and development
- Community engagement
Certification
- CDE Professional Principal Licensure K-12
- CDE Professional Teacher Licensure with endorsements in Elementary Education, Gifted and Talented Specialist, Special Education Generalist
- National Board Certification Exceptional Needs Specialist (in process)
- DPS Gifted Identification Specialist Certification
References
- Dr. Tonda Potts, Interim Principal, Denver Public Schools, 303-249-3895, Tonda_Potts@dpsk12.net, Supervisor And Mentor
- Caleb Melamed, Principal, Nederland Elementary School, 303-570-9174, Caleb_Melamed@bvsd.org, Former Supervisor
- Cindy Miller, Interim Principal, Denver Public Schools, 303-618-5757, Cynthia_Miller@dpsk12.net, Former supervisor
- Dr. Robin Greene, Gifted Education Supervisor, greene_r@cde.state.co.us
Timeline
Principal
Isabella Bird Community School
07.2020 - Current
Design Committee Member
The Logan Learning Lab
08.2018 - 07.2020
Senior Team Lead/Gifted and Talented Teacher
Isabella Bird Community School
08.2014 - 07.2020
Gifted and Talented Teacher
Ashley Elementary School
08.2014 - 06.2015
Behavior Specialist/Special Education Teacher
08.2004 - 08.2006
ESE Department Head/Special Education Teacher
Thomas E Weightman Middle School
07.2002 - 06.2004
Affective Needs Center Teacher
Benito Middle School
07.2001 - 07.2002
Principal Licensure Program - Educational Administration
Denver LEAD Today
Master of Arts - Curriculum and Instruction- Gifted and Talented
Regis University
Counseling Psychology -
St. Leo University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of New Hampshire