Dr. Kris Bryan Nielsen is a Professional Development Associate with The Leadership and Learning Center. She also teaches as an adjunct at the University of Minnesota in licensure program for school administrators. Currently, she teaches a Data Driven Decision Making class for aspiring school leaders.
Dr. Nielsen works with schools nationally and internationally on issues of school improvement, assessment, instructional strategies, planning, and the effective use of data to improve school processes and instruction. She coaches principals and teachers in effective planning and in quality implementation of research-based practices.
Dr. Nielsen’s experience includes tenure as the Executive Director of the Minnesota Administrators Leadership Forum, a project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. As part of her work for the project, she designed and implemented training for 1,600 Minnesota school administrators focused on improved technology leadership, data use, and student achievement. Additionally, she facilitated statewide data academies for the education faculty members in the Minnesota state college and university system and k-12 school teams.
Prior to her work with the Forum, Dr. Nielsen was a high school administrator in Northfield and Edina, Minnesota. Her other previous educational experiences include serving as a preK-12 staff development director, an elementary Title 1 and gifted/talented coordinator, and a teacher of English, language arts, composition, and humanities in Illinois and in Minnesota. Previous to her work in education, she worked for three years in corporate marketing.
Dr. Nielsen holds a doctorate in educational policy and administration, a graduate certificate in school technology leadership, and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota. She also has a Master of Arts in English from the University of Wisconsin.
When Kris is at home she most enjoys spending time with her family. She and her husband Craig, daughter Madeleine, and Pomeranian Mukki love to travel, cook, play and relax at their cabin. Kris enjoys challenging herself with Dressage riding on her horse, Alyxczar, reading and writing, and spending time with friends and extended family.
Video Introduction
Sorry, you need to install flash to see this content.
What Clients Say
“Kris was very welcoming and encouraging. Thank you!”
—Ione McCarney, Teacher, Lincoln Elementary, St. Cloud, MN
“Kris did a great job. She was very friendly and patient with the group.”
—Arron Rick, Teacher, Kern-Foothill High School District, CA
“Just as an FYI my secretary was in an elevator with 2 teachers who attended Kris Nielsen’s training sessions. They were discussing the session and agreed with each other that it was the best PD they had ever received. Thanks for everything.”
—Teresa Carroll, Bridgeport Public Schools, CT
