Veena Hari
Newton,MA
Summary
Passionate and dedicated educator committed to fostering creativity and motivation in students. A proactive advocate for evolving education, I believe in unveiling untapped opportunities for young minds. Committed to enhancing diversity in educational systems, drawing from my Indian heritage to enrich students' lives with varied cultures. My goal is to provide a solid academic foundation that empowers students to wholeheartedly pursue their aspirations.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Director of Enrollment Management
The Chestnut Hill School
08.2023 - Current
- Toured and interviewed prospective families.
- Organized and helped run playgroup assessments for our Early Childhood program.
- Organized events for recruitment and ran fall and spring Open House, Admissions Information Sessions, and Zoom Family Coffees with Head of School.
- Ran Admissions Committees for Lower and Upper School students.
- Created all assessments and assessed all prospective applicants in math, reading and writing.
- Advisor for 6th grade students.
- Sat on the Enrollment and Financial Aid committees and helped run the Enrollment Committee.
- Managed Ravenna database system - keeping track of prospective families and touch points to applicants.
- Worked with marketing and communications to advertise and market our school through our school website, social media and events. Helped with branding.
- Created contracts for accepted families.
- Ran accepted families events.
- Ran all admissions fairs in the fall for recruitment purposes.
- Attended AISAP workshops and conference.
Admissions and DEI Coordinator
Brookwood School
07.2022 - 07.2023
- Increased admissions over 5% by networking with nearby hospitals and other businesses. Organized school tours, Open Houses and admissions events.
- Interviewed families and assessed all prospective students in pre-K to 8th grades using the Brigance, Wechsler and in classroom assessments.
- Compiled and analyzed data around retention and attrition especially with families of color. Made recommendations that increased enrollments of families of color by more than 25%.
- As Director of the school DEI program, I created social justice curriculum and oversaw training and implementation of the program.
- Created and ran 4 affinity groups for students of color.
2nd Grade Lead Teacher
Brookwood School
07.2021 - 07.2022
- Created and implemented curriculum in math, literacy, social studies, and project based learning.
- Developed a global citizenship model in students through studies of heroes and activists around the world. This exposed students to the diversity of cultures and adversities encountered around the world. For example, opportunities to connect with students in other parts of the world using FaceTime and Zoom technology were provided.
- Formed great partnerships with families through weekly communications, empathy and an open door policy. This impacted admissions and enrollment very positively.
- Conducted workshops to educate families in the stages of development for literacy and mathematics. This helped families understand and support students during the school year and over the summer.
- Member of the hiring and DEI committee. Screened and objectively evaluated candidates for key leadership positions.
3rd Grade Lead Teacher
Brookwood School
08.2020 - 07.2021
- Along with teaching core subject areas, I created an extension math and literacy curriculum for students seeking more challenges.
- Created a writers' workshop that incorporated a young author's program and newscasters workshop. Each student created a chapter of a book “My life in a Bubble” that was published for the 3rd grade.
- Member of the DEI committee and helped facilitate meetings.
3rd Grade Teacher
Atrium School
08.2016 - 08.2019
- Primary support for Director of Recruitment. Assisted with interviewing prospective families (Phase 1) and screening students.
- Created parent ambassador program that engaged parents in outreach efforts. This included school tours, community events and open houses. The following year, admissions increased by over 10%.
2nd/3rd Grade Teacher
Headwaters School
08.2015 - 06.2016
2nd Grade Teacher
Chestnut Hill School
08.2014 - 06.2015
Early Childhood Teacher
Kingsley Montessori School
06.2013 - 06.2014
Co-Teacher
Healthy Beginnings Montessori House
08.2012 - 06.2013
Intern/Assistant Teacher
Children's Montessori Center
08.2011 - 06.2012
Education
Master of Arts - Education
Lesley University
Cambridge, MA07.2020
Masters in Early Childhood - Education
Lesley University
Cambridge, MA06.2015
No Degree - Montessori Education - Early Childhood
Northeast Montessori Institute
Wenham, MA08.2012
Bachelor of Arts - General Education
Missouri Southern State University
Joplin, MO05.2011
Skills
Proficient with:
Microsoft Office Suite
Mac products and software
Google products
Ravenna Admit software database
Veracross database
Written and verbal communication
Bilingual
- Student Recruitment
Additional Information
Conferences/Workshops Attended:
POCC (People of Color Conference) - 3 years
Literacy Conference - 4 years
AISNE Diversity Conference - 3 years
Lucy Calkins Reading and Writing Workshop - 2 years
Trained in:
Orton Gillingham
Singapore Math
Investigations Math
Responsive Classroom
References
Nancy Evans - Former Head of School at Brookwood School
nyevans2@gmail.com
(216)925-2420
Lindsay Murphy - Director of Admissions at Brookwood School
lmurphy@brookwood.edu
(914)826-3535
Jen Cunningham - Director of Intern Program and former co-teacher
jcunningham@brookwood.edu
Moira Smith - Former Head of Lower School at Brookwood School
(978)578-5413
Timeline
Associate Director of Enrollment Management
The Chestnut Hill School
08.2023 - Current
Admissions and DEI Coordinator
Brookwood School
07.2022 - 07.2023
2nd Grade Lead Teacher
Brookwood School
07.2021 - 07.2022
3rd Grade Lead Teacher
Brookwood School
08.2020 - 07.2021
3rd Grade Teacher
Atrium School
08.2016 - 08.2019
2nd/3rd Grade Teacher
Headwaters School
08.2015 - 06.2016
2nd Grade Teacher
Chestnut Hill School
08.2014 - 06.2015
Early Childhood Teacher
Kingsley Montessori School
06.2013 - 06.2014
Co-Teacher
Healthy Beginnings Montessori House
08.2012 - 06.2013
Intern/Assistant Teacher
Children's Montessori Center
08.2011 - 06.2012
Master of Arts - Education
Lesley University
Masters in Early Childhood - Education
Lesley University
No Degree - Montessori Education - Early Childhood
Northeast Montessori Institute
Bachelor of Arts - General Education
Missouri Southern State University
Similar Profiles
Ella ValElla Val
STEM Summer Camp Teacher at Chestnut Hill SchoolSTEM Summer Camp Teacher at Chestnut Hill School
Jennifer PanicoJennifer Panico
Preschool Teacher at Chestnut Hill Nursery SchoolPreschool Teacher at Chestnut Hill Nursery School
Brandi RobertsBrandi Roberts
Environmental Services Housekeeper at Chestnut Hill Hospital-Philadelphia, PAEnvironmental Services Housekeeper at Chestnut Hill Hospital-Philadelphia, PA