Dr. Michelle Fitzgerald is the Executive Director of Advocacy and Networking at Instructional Empowerment, bringing over 30 years of experience in education. Her career spans a wide range of roles, including area superintendent, assistant superintendent, curriculum director, building administrator, and middle school teacher. Dr. Fitzgerald has worked across diverse educational settings in three states, from suburban Chicago districts to the nation’s 7th largest school district in Tampa, Florida, and within fully urban districts. This variety has enriched her expertise in standards-based curriculum, best instructional practices, and data-driven assessment.  

In her leadership roles, Dr. Fitzgerald has been instrumental in developing instructional leadership among principals and assistant principals, focusing on building strong, data-informed systems that support impactful teaching and learning. Her commitment to instructional excellence led to significant gains in student achievement in several underperforming schools in Florida through close collaboration with instructional leadership teams, structured systems, and a clear focus on instructional quality.  

Dr. Fitzgerald holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Illinois State University, a master’s degree in educational leadership from Aurora University, and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from Northern Illinois University. Her dissertation, Student Involvement in the Formative Assessment Process, reflects her dedication to empowering students as active participants in their own learning through data-driven approaches.