Maria Nielsen

Maria Nielsen, educational speaker and author, specializes in supporting teachers and administrators in the areas of PLCs, RTI, school culture, curriculum design, the highly engaged classroom, and assessment systems. Her life’s work is to help schools build successful systems to ensure high levels of student learning.

Maria has more than 30 years’ experience as a teacher and administrator at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in Utah. As a principal, Maria helped Millville Elementary earn state and national recognition as a high-progress, high-achievement Title I school. Solution Tree named the school a national model PLC in 2012.

Maria was named the 2007 Utah Behavior Initiatives Principal of the Year. In 2010, she received the distinguished Huntsman Award for Excellence in Education.

Certifications

Priority Schools in a PLC at Work^®

Hand-selected and trained by PLC at Work champions our Priority Schools in a PLC at Work experts have proven success in leading the PLC at Work process and have specific experience with the unique challenges that face schools labeled as low performing. Work with them to identify and prioritize critical areas of growth to implement changes in a timely manner with a focus on student achievement.

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PLC at Work^®

PLC at Work® experts have proven success in leading the PLC at Work process in a school or district. Work with them to implement a focus on learning, build a collaborative culture, and create a results orientation that leads to sustained, substantive school improvement.

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RTI at Work™

RTI at Work experts focus on learning for all students and will empower you to build your own timely, targeted, and systematic intervention program. Work with them to implement a results-driven program that provides targeted instruction at all tiers of intervention.

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Presentation Titles

Presentations by Maria Nielsen

Uncommon Common Assessments
Positive Behavior Support Systems for Students
What Is a Professional Learning Community?
Engage Their Brains: Engagement Strategies for Student Learning
Culture as the Foundation

Reviews

“It is clear that you love education! Thank you for being so energized and welcoming! Such a good reminder of the energy we put out will make a difference as to what we are going to get back.”

Katie Martini, teacher, Renaissance High School, Idaho

“I loved the energy that Maria displayed throughout the presentation. It inspired me to go back to my classroom, and create that energy and engagement... Attending this breakout session, gave me the push I needed to go ahead and create a curious classroom.”

Samantha Purcell, teacher, Eagle Hills Elementary School, Idaho

“I appreciate Maria's passion and enthusiasm. We are lucky to have her at our school.”

Gary Allen, principal, Box Elder School District, Utah

“Our day with Maria was wonderful. Because of her experience from K–12, she was able to speak to every one of our teachers. She poured her passion and wisdom on us every moment of the day. It was a huge success.”

Dani Heathington, assistant superintendent, Muleshoe Independent School District, Texas

Events