Nicole Couri-Malson, Ph.D.
Metamora,IL
Summary
Accomplished Executive School Leader recognized for leveraging strong team leadership and development to drive forward progress. Highly organized, detail-oriented leader skilled in directing high-performing teams to develop solutions and solve operational and technical problems. Success implementing systems across multiple operations with superior organizational and communication skills.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Director of Schools
Peoria Public Schools District 150
Peoria, IL
07.2018 - Current
- Supervise 11 building principals and all operations for schools including Pre-K programming, K-4 buildings, and K-8 buildings.
- Provide leadership and development for all 15 primary schools, 5,435 students within Peoria Public Schools regarding curriculum, development, and programming
- Responsible for all pipeline development work in Peoria Public Schools including New Principal and Assistant Principal Cohorts, Aspiring Administrator Cohort, New Teacher Mentoring Program, and Rockford Partnership for Principal Preparation and MA in Urban Education
- Serve as lead facilitator for principal leadership development, growth and training for all school administrators across 29 buildings
- Serve on Superintendent's Executive Cabinet
Executive Director
Quest Charter Academy
Peoria, IL
07.2015 - 06.2018
- Lead urban charter school of over 600 students fifth through twelfth grade with a staff of 67 located across 2 campuses, pursuing the goal of 100% college acceptance for each graduating class.
- Execute directives from 14 member Board of Directors
- Provide leadership in development and implementation of strategic goals, ensuring compliance with academy initiatives
- Oversee performance of all school personnel
- Uphold ultimate responsibility for services and actions orchestrated under auspices of Quest Charter Academy
- Set organizational goals and objectives to guide and direct academy focus and achieve mission fulfillment.
- Built relationships with donors, government officials and other organizations to secure funding and support for organization.
- Exercised appropriate cost control to meet budget restrictions and maximize profitability.
- Represented organization to local public by giving presentations and speeches and participating in community events.
Executive Director, Curriculum and Instruction
Agora Cyber Charter School
King Of Prussia, PA
10.2014 - 06.2015
- Developed then executed instructional plan focused on student achievement
- Designed control strategy for Agora "NextGen" instructional model
- Senior Executive Leadership Team
- Provided supervision to all instructional staff
- Prepared board reports and presentation
Executive Director of Leadership
Edison Learning (merged To Catapult Learning)
New York, NY
07.2011 - 03.2014
- Developed intellectual property for leadership in collaboration with partners within the United Kingdom, US National Strand Leadership and Executive Directors of Research
- Led the US National Leadership Strand Lead Academy to advance expertise and knowledge of leadership, sharing best practice and support of implementation across all campuses
- Responsible for all professional development and conferences across the EdisonLearning network
- Provided support to national field curriculum specialists to ensure high quality work
- Collaborative Quality Analysis (CQA) Lead Facilitator which included organizing and training field team on quality assurance tools in the CQA process (360 quality tool for schools). In addition, led several teams across the state of Hawaii and in the Midwest to conduct the CQA week-long process and generated the reports and portfolios of data-driven evidence with school district leaders and school board members
Principal, Northmoor-Edison Primary School
Peoria Public Schools District 150
Peoria, IL
07.2002 - 06.2011
- Served as instructional leader for kindergarten through fifth grade school with a population of over 500 racially and economically diverse students and supervised a staff of 60
- Networked with school district administration and the EdisonLearning network to manage the execution of the Edison contract and delivery of services
- Led the school to radically close the achievement gap, winning the prestigious distinction of the US Department of Education Blue Ribbon Status, and EdisonLearning's highest achievement of Double-Five Star Award for Academics and Financial Management
- Served as a mentor to new principals in the State of Illinois and in the entire EdisonLearning network of schools
- Presided as President and Vice President of the Peoria Area School Administrators professional organization
Kindergarten Teacher, Northmoor-Edison Primary
Peoria Public Schools District 150
Peoria, IL
07.1999 - 06.2002
- Kindergarten Lead Teacher, member of the Leadership Team
- National Trainer for Early Learning at EdisonSchools
Education
Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy, Superintendent Endorsement
Illinois State University
Bloomington, IL12.2006
Master of Science - Educational Administration
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL05.2002
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education And Early Childhood Education
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL12.1998
Chief School Business Official Certification
Illinois State University
Normal, IL 08.2024 - 05.2025
Skills
- Leader in professional development of teachers and school leadership
- Ability to maximize academic program through results driven accountability that yields student achievement growth
- Manager of district finances and resources
- Supervision of school personnel
- Strong communicator within all aspects of community
- Strong use of research based strategic planning and accountability to drive school and district achievement
- Strong representation in local media
- Implementation of federal and state statutes
- Development of reports of progress for school board, investors and staff
Accomplishments
- Waterford Early Learning Senior Advisory Council Member (2006 - present)
- Presenter for AASA and LUDA (2026)
- Those Who Excel, Illinois State Board of Education, Administrator Award (2025)
- Peoria Public Schools Administrator of the Year (2025)
- 40 Leaders Under 40, Peoria, IL (2014)
- National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, US Department of Education (2008)
- Those Who Excel, Illinois State Board of Education, Administrator Award (2008)
- EdisonLearning 4-Star Achievement Award (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)
- Edison Learning 4-Star Financial Achievement Award (2007, 2008)
- EdisonLearning 5-Star Achievement Award (2009, 2010)
- EdisonLearning Double 5-Star Award for Achievement and Financial Management (2009, 2010)
- EdisonLearning Golden Apple Award for Outstanding Customer Service (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)
- EdisonLearning Technology Principal of the Year (2008)
- 25 Women in Leadership, Peoria, IL (2005)
- Adjunct Professor, Bradley University (2009-2012)
Timeline
Chief School Business Official Certification
Illinois State University
08.2024 - 05.2025
Executive Director of Schools
Peoria Public Schools District 150
07.2018 - Current
Executive Director
Quest Charter Academy
07.2015 - 06.2018
Executive Director, Curriculum and Instruction
Agora Cyber Charter School
10.2014 - 06.2015
Executive Director of Leadership
Edison Learning (merged To Catapult Learning)
07.2011 - 03.2014
Principal, Northmoor-Edison Primary School
Peoria Public Schools District 150
07.2002 - 06.2011
Kindergarten Teacher, Northmoor-Edison Primary
Peoria Public Schools District 150
07.1999 - 06.2002
Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy, Superintendent Endorsement
Illinois State University
Master of Science - Educational Administration
Eastern Illinois University
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education And Early Childhood Education
Eastern Illinois University