Title: Director of Leader Development
Company: IDEA Public Schools
Location: McAllen, Texas, United States
Michele M. Peckinpaugh, Director of Leader Development at IDEA Public Schools, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements and leadership in education.
Ms. Peckinpaugh has dedicated over three decades to the field of education, demonstrating a profound commitment to fostering leadership and development within academic institutions. Currently serving as the director of leader development at IDEA Public Schools in McAllen, Texas, since 2017, she plays a pivotal role in coaching assistant principals across various campuses, ensuring they are well-prepared for principal roles. Ms. Peckinpaugh’s responsibilities also include managing a team of regional content coaches, further underscoring her expertise in educational leadership.
Affiliated with IDEA Public Schools for over 15 years, Ms. Peckinpaugh previously excelled as an instructional coach from 2014 to 2017. In this capacity, she honed her skills in mentoring educators and enhancing instructional strategies. Between 2012 and 2014, Ms. Peckinpaugh served as a program manager, where she specifically coached assistant principals and was instrumental in their leadership development, aligning it with the school’s mission and goals.
Ms. Peckinpaugh’s journey with IDEA Public Schools also included serving as an assistant principal in 2011, a role she held for a year, during which she focused on coaching and managing teachers at the IDEA Mission Academy and supporting them in their professional growth. Previously, she served as an academic coach for over five years, starting in 2006. This foundational role included coaching teachers at the IDEA Quest Academy and College Prep.
Headquartered in Weslaco, Texas, IDEA Public Schools celebrates its 25th year serving students. Since 2000, it has grown from a small school with approximately 150 students to a significant academic institution comprising a network of tuition-free, K-12 public charter schools with locations across Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and Ohio.
Before joining IDEA, Mr. Peckinpaugh’s career in education at McAllen Independent School District included serving as a literacy coach from 2003 to 2006. Concurrently, she served as a mathematics consultant and facilitator at Yellowstone Academy in Houston between 2004 and 2005. Earlier, Ms. Peckinpaugh taught second- and fourth-grade students at McAllen Independent School District from 2001 to 2003, after initially teaching first-, second-, and third-grade students, as well as multilingual classes, at Rio Rancho Public Schools in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, between 1992 and 2001. Her extensive experience in the classroom was instrumental in her subsequent roles in educational leadership.
Ms. Peckinpaugh’s academic background is equally impressive. She received a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education with a minor in psychology from Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado, and a Master of Arts in elementary education and teaching from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. She received both degrees in 1992. Furthermore, Ms. Peckinpaugh received credentials as a nationally board-certified teacher over two decades ago, recognizing her dedication to lifelong learning and maintaining a growth mindset.
Throughout her career, Ms. Peckinpaugh’s passion for helping others become their best selves has been evident in her work. Among her accolades, she received an Employee of the Month award, reflecting her commitment and excellence in her field. Looking ahead, Ms. Peckinpaugh aims to establish a life coaching business, further extending her impact by helping individuals reach their full potential through personal development and growth strategies.
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