Kelli Dean
Westfield
Summary
Visionary educational leader with over 12 years of administrative experience, specializing in systems thinking, leadership capacity building, and comprehensive school transformation. Proven expertise in designing Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) that integrate academic excellence with social-emotional learning initiatives. Committed to mentoring aspiring administrative candidates and fostering a culture of collaborative, data-driven instruction that drives measurable growth in student achievement. A strategic thinker dedicated to creating innovative solutions that enhance educational outcomes and empower educators and students.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal
Richford Elementary School
07.2019 - Current
- Cultivated Distributed Leadership: Developed and empowered multiple teacher-led teams to drive professional learning, school culture initiatives, and comprehensive data analysis, building leadership capacity across the building.
- Instituted Leader in Me Framework: Introduced and lead the ongoing integration of the Leader in Me model (Year 4), organizing school-wide systems to foster student agency and adult leadership.
- Engineered Advanced MTSS Framework: Designed a comprehensive school-wide MTSS for both academics and SEL, resulting in a significant reduction in behavioral incidents and a steady five-year increase in Math and Reading scores.
- Established Student Support Team: Designed and implemented a dedicated Student Support Team (Assistant Principal, Counselor, Social Worker, Behavior Consultant, and Planning Room Coordinator) that meets weekly to analyze behavior data and plan for schoolwide and classroom implementation of expectations and student agency. This proactive framework preemptively mitigates behaviors as they arise and fosters the social-emotional learning of students.
- Strengthened Family Engagement: Added a Family Engagement Coordinator to lead critical outreach, support student attendance, and serve as a vital bridge between home and school; pioneered "Pre-K/Kindergarten Family Fridays" as a cornerstone initiative to establish strong school-family partnerships at the start of the educational journey.
- Launched Instructional Teaming: Designed and implemented a weekly extended teaming structure where classroom teachers and instructional specialists co-plan to ensure high-leverage instruction at all levels.
- Provided Administrative Mentorship: Mentored four principal candidates through their administrative coursework and licensure, providing hands-on coaching in school leadership.
Instructional Innovation Coordinator
North Country Supervisory Union
2016 - 01.2019
- Advanced Authentic Assessment & Student Agency: Directed a multi-year district initiative to move beyond traditional report cards toward a comprehensive reporting model. Established the use of "multiple means" of evidence—including e-portfolios and student-led conferences—to empower students to own their learning story and provide families with a deeper view of student growth.
- Facilitated Committee Leadership: Led district-wide committees that developed systems for evaluating positive learning environments and the strategic use of technology for learning.
- Expanded Professional Capacity Building: Designed and led district-wide PD on PBL and student-centered shifts; chaired committees to establish systems for positive learning environments, technology integration, and union-wide PBL implementation.
- Developed Alternative Program Redesign: Led the initial redesign of the NCSU Alternative Program, transitioning the curriculum to a Project-Based model through on-site coaching and collaborative project development.
Principal
Holland Elementary School
01.2013 - 01.2019
- Created a School-Wide Inquiry Model for Instructional Innovation: Transformed the instructional model through Project-Based Learning (PBL), utilizing intensive coaching and PD to pivot from traditional delivery to student-centered, inquiry-based education.
- Cultivated Cultural Transformation: Cultivated a multi-year, school-wide implementation of Responsive Classroom through extensive professional development; transformed school climate by equipping staff with the expertise to foster student social-emotional growth and proactive behavioral self-regulation.
- Systematized Interventions: Established a school-wide, team-based intervention framework that aligned student assessment analysis with specific instructional planning to ensure targeted support and close achievement gaps.
- Launched Data-Informed Instructional Cycles: Formalized school-wide data cycles, securing expert-led coaching to build teacher capacity in analyzing assessments and leveraging data for timely, high-impact instructional planning.
Assistant Principal / Principal Intern
Barton Graded School
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Developed Behavioral Framework: Introduced and structured a school-wide discipline framework, establishing a consistent, tiered approach to student behavior that provided staff with a clear, equitable roadmap for interventions.
- Facilitated District PLC Leadership: Led the District Middle School Humanities PLC and co-developed a common K-12 district-wide assessment plan to ensure vertical alignment and consistent standards across all schools.
- Evaluated and Developed Staff: Accelerated staff supervision and growth by leading the professional development of new educators through targeted evaluations and high-frequency instructional walk-throughs focused on actionable feedback.
Teacher
St. Paul's Catholic School | North Country Union HS | Adult Basic Education
01.1995 - 01.2011
- Classroom Educator: 15+ years of experience in middle/secondary education and alternative education for at-risk youth.
- Leadership Roots: Led faculty in curriculum alignment and served as co-coordinator for NEASC accreditation.
Education
Endorsement - Director of Curriculum And Assessment
Upper Valley Educators Institute
Lebanon, New Hampshire 01-2016
Master of Arts - Educational Leadership
Upper Valley Educators Institute
Lebanon, New Hampshire 01-2012
Administrative License - Administration
Upper Valley Educators Institute
Lebanon, New Hampshire 01-2012
Bachelor of Arts - History
St. Anselm College
Manchester, New Hampshire 01-1990
Skills
- Building Leadership Capacity
- Systems Framework Design
- Data-Informed Decision Making
- Strategic Improvement Planning
- Authentic Community Partnership
- Sustainable School Transformation
Timeline
Principal
Richford Elementary School
07.2019 - Current
Principal
Holland Elementary School
01.2013 - 01.2019
Assistant Principal / Principal Intern
Barton Graded School
01.2011 - 01.2013
Teacher
St. Paul's Catholic School | North Country Union HS | Adult Basic Education
01.1995 - 01.2011
Instructional Innovation Coordinator
North Country Supervisory Union
2016 - 01.2019
Endorsement - Director of Curriculum And Assessment
Upper Valley Educators Institute
Master of Arts - Educational Leadership
Upper Valley Educators Institute
Administrative License - Administration
Upper Valley Educators Institute
Bachelor of Arts - History
St. Anselm College