Ellina Zong Xiong

1479 Maywood Street, Saint Paul, MN 55117 | 612.240.6793 | xiong173@umn.edu

PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
§ Eight years of active involvement in building and district leadership teams.
§ Completed 320 hours of an administrative leadership internship.
§ Experience with integrating culturally responsiveness and equity frameworks into school practices and
procedures.
§ Ability to translate research into practice, specifically multi-tiered system of support and, behavioral and
academic interventions.
§ Experience with training and coaching staff on using data to make instructional decisions.

EDUCATION
University of Minnesota, College of Education and Human Development
Doctor of Philosophy, Special Education Program Expected completion August 2019
Education Specialist Certificate, School Psychology Program June 2012
Master’s of Arts, School Psychology Program May 2011

Macalester College, Saint Paul, MN

Bachelor of Arts May 2009
Psychology Major

EXPERIENCE
Graduate Research Fellow, University of Minnesota- Twin Cities August 2015 – Present
Leadership Training Grant- Office of Special Education Programs
§ Conduct and support research focused on culturally responsive academic and behavioral interventions and
assessments.
§ Actively conducted and led school data collection, analysis, and interpretation of educational formative,
summative and engagement data.
§ Provided coaching to school teams in implementing multi-tiered system of support (MTSS).
§ Designed and piloted a Hmong phonics intervention to examine cross-linguistic transfer of reading skills
and promote bilingualism.
§ Designed and provided professional development training to staff on the use of data to guide decision-
making and promote equitable practices.
§ Designed social emotional educational tools aligned with American Indian culture and values.

Multi-tiered System of Supports Data Specialist, Minneapolis Public Schools July 2017 – June 2019
Department of Research, Evaluation, Assessment, and Accountability
§ Co-led the elementary multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) district work group to support district-wide
implementation.
§ Collaborated with team members and composed the District MTSS Guidebook.
§ Developed data literacy guides and implementation tools to support MTSS initiatives such as Microsoft
Excel companion guides, and FASTbridge teacher training guides.
§ Developed data resources and provide professional development training to guide instructional planning,
decision-making, and promote equitable practices.
§ Supported with developing research questions, and collecting and analyzing data for the Equity and
Diversity Impact Assessment.

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§ Developed and maintained data dashboards using Tableau to display and summarize attendance data and
data pertaining to English Learner outcomes.
§ Led and participated in data collection, analysis and interpretation of departmental priorities and
evaluations.
§ Led and facilitate focus groups to collect feedback from stakeholders and district staff pertaining to
MPS’s strategic plan.

Administrative Intern, Minneapolis Public Schools March 2019 – May 2019

Hmong International Academy
§ Led the development of a school-wide learning walk observation form to enhance effective instruction
and school climate.
§ Supported with developing personalized academic, behavioral, and social-emotional plans to promote
student success.
§ Participated in school budget processes and decision-making.
§ Participated in teacher observations as part the teacher evaluation process.
§ Participated in teacher licensure achievement of tenure committees.

Administrative Intern, Saint Paul Public Schools March 2019 – April 2019
Washington Technology Magnet
§ Participated in student re-admission meetings pertaining to student discipline.
§ Supervised community service student programming.
§ Supervised bus arrival and dismissals.
§ Participated in inter-disciplinary team meetings to monitor and develop success plans for students.
§ Participated in professional learning communities to support effective instructional practices.
§ Participated in Pupil Problems Committee to develop support plans for students.

Administrative Intern, Saint Anthony-New Brighton Schools September 2018 – March 2019
Saint Anthony Middle School
§ Supported with developing World’s Best Workforce goals and benchmarks.
§ Participated in the Student Assistant Team (SAT) to collect data and develop intervention plans to support
student achievement and socio-emotional well-being.
§ Supported in promoting a positive school climate for staff and students by collecting data to inform
decision-making and developing resources to support teachers.
§ Led data analysis and evaluation of the alternative delivery of specialized instructional services (ADSIS).
§ Assisted in implementing and evaluating continuous improvement plans to promote student achievement
and improve equitable instructional practices.

Parent Facilitator, Minneapolis Public Schools June 2013 – June 2015

Department of Talent Development and Advanced Academics
§ Co-developed gifted education curriculum for the Advanced Learner Parent Group.
§ Co-facilitated weekly discussions related to the social-emotional needs of advanced learners.
§ Coordinated with community partners to provide reliable transportation and childcare services.
§ Recruited parents and maintained weekly communication with families and community agencies.

School Psychologist, Minneapolis Public Schools August 2012 – June 2015

§ Conducted special education evaluations in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act and Minneapolis Public School District policies.
§ Led RTI/MTSS implementations of academic, behavioral, and social-emotional interventions.

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§ Led building-wide special education team meetings in planning evaluations, responding to student and
staff concerns and facilitating communication between general education, special education staff and
families.
§ Led in-service professional development trainings on classroom management, playground safety, and
instructional supports for English Learners.
§ Developed lunch and recess supervision safety plans.
§ Developed building-wide discipline protocols to establish response systems and maintain consistent
decision-making.
§ Actively participated in site-based management and decision-making regarding school improvement
plans, school safety and school finances.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS/HONORS
MN Administrative License Expected completion July 2019
MN preK-12 School Psychologist License Active
Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) Active
Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG) Certified Parent Facilitator Active
National Association of School Psychologist Minority Scholar 2011

COURSES TAUGHT & ASSISTED

University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
EPSY 5015: Teaching Students with Special Needs in Inclusive Settings
EPSY 5618: Specialized Interventions for Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities in Reading and Written
Language

RELEVANT PAPERS, PRESENTATIONS & PROFESSIONAL TRAININGS

Xiong, E.Z. (2019). Data Literacy for Equity: Layering questioning lenses for more comprehensive data-
based solutions. Oral presentation at the Hawaii International Conference on Education, Honolulu,
HI.
Xiong, E.Z. & Henery, Rob. (2018). A roadmap for MTSS implementation in schools. Poster
presentation at the Office of Special Education Program Director’s Conference, Arlington, VA.
Xiong, E.Z. (2017-present). Data Literacy Series for MTSS School Psychologists. Lead
Presenter for Minneapolis Public School District school psychologist data series in-service,
Minneapolis, MN.
Xiong, E.Z. (2016, October). RTI from the ground up. Guest Lecturer for EPSY 5657:
Interventions for behavioral problems in school settings. University of Minnesota.
Xiong, E.Z. (2016, March). Working with ELL, refugee and immigrant students and families.
Guest Lecturer for EPSY 5851: Engaging Diverse Students and Families. University of Minnesota.
Xiong, E.Z. (2016, January). Positive behavior and de-escalation strategies. Invited Speaker
for Hmong International Academy behavior in-service, Minneapolis, MN.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)
National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
University of Minnesota Educational Psychology Student Diversity and Equity Committee

OTHER SKILLS
Computer: Tableau, R, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Language: Fluent in speaking, writing and reading Hmong

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