Maria Nielsen

Maria Nielsen

Maria Nielsen has served as a teacher and an administrator at every level of K–12 education for more than 30 years. As an elementary principal, she helped her school earn state and national recognition as a model professional learning community. Maria has served and furthered the progress of districts nationwide with her expertise on PLCs, academic standards, and assessment.

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

She received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in education from Utah State University and an administration certificate from Idaho State University.

Assessment Center

Assessment Center experts have proven success in developing and implementing sustainable assessment practices that garner hope through achievement. Work with them to create assessment systems that provide accurate, meaningful, and actionable information to drive student learning.

Learn more

Common Core

Common Core experts will work with you to ensure you have the capacity and know-how to embed the standards throughout your practice. Work with them to unpack standards and align instruction and assessment practices to the Common Core standards across content areas.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

PLC at Work™

Richard DuFour, Robert Eaker, Rebecca DuFour, Mike Mattos, Anthony Muhammad, and Tim Brown, the champions of PLC at Work™, are among the foremost authorities on applying PLC principles in the real world of schools. They consult with state departments, professional organizations, and school districts worldwide on strategies for improving schools.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

Transforming School Culture

Transforming School Culture experts will help you examine the assumptions, beliefs, expectations, and habits that comprise your school’s culture, to ensure a productive and functional environment. Work with our experts to develop the ability to properly respond to challenges and adversity.

Learn more

Unstoppable Learning

Unstoppable Learning experts have deep expertise in instructional practices that lead to student achievement. Work with them on topics like academic vocabulary, close reading, gradual release of responsibility, and other practices that directly increase teacher effectiveness in the classroom.

Learn more

Presentation titles 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

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

“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.”