Laura R.

Nelson
741 East State Street – Belle Plaine, MN 56011 – 605-929-4395 – lauranelson5577@gmail.com
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Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all. –Aristotle

Objective: To lead a school that embraces the diversity of students and staff, believes in educating the
whole child, values a culture of trust, positivity, empathy, collaboration, innovation, creativity, and
respect, and understands the purpose of education is to create life-long learners who want to be change
agents in this wide world.

Education
Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership
Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN - Completed May 2018

Master of Arts in Education

Saint Mary's University, Minneapolis, MN – GPA 4.0 - Completed May 2008

Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education

Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN - GPA 3.96 - Completed May 2005

High School Diploma

Pipestone-Jasper High School - Completed May 2001

Educational Leadership Experiences

Administrative Support for Excelsior Elementary (K-5 English, Chinese Immersion, Navigator) – present
PreK-3 Principal Leadership Series Attendance – 2017-2018
Social Thinking Pilot Program Coordinator – 2017-2018
Peer Observation Integration – 2016-2017

Teaching Experience
Minnetonka Public Schools – Excelsior Elementary – TOSA/Administrative Support (.5) – 9/2017-present
 Social Thinking Pilot Program Coordinator, Junior Coaching Coordinator, Behavior Referral Specialist,
Schoolwide Behavior Committee Lead, Leadership Committee Member, Happiness Advantage Staff
Development, Human-Centered Design for Learning Participant

Minnetonka Public Schools – Excelsior Elementary – Second Grade Teacher (.5) – 9/2017-present
 Responsive Classroom, Social Thinking, Everyday Mathematics Curriculum, Making Meaning
Curriculum, PLC Lead, Code.org Curriculum Integration, Rubric Grading of Summative Assessments

Jordan Public Schools – Jordan Elementary – First Grade Teacher - 2010-2011, 2013-2017
 Balanced Literacy, PBIS Team Member, SMART Training, SMART Board Technology, Infinite
Campus, Schoology, Google, Flexible Seating, Mindful Schools Curriculum, Yoga in the Classroom,
Standards Based Instruction, Guided Reading, Staff Development Team Member, PLC Leader and
Member, Common Assessments aligned to MN/Common Core Standards, Project Lead the Way,
Morning Meeting, Daily 5 Reading, Daily 3 Math, Student Teacher Mentor, Peer Review Team, Book
Study Leader, Culturally Responsive Teaching Team, Education Minnesota Grant Recipient
Belle Plaine Public Schools – Chatfield Elementary – First Grade Teacher - 2011-2013
 Responsive Classroom, Morning Meeting, Blue Ribbon School Award, PLC Member, SMART Board
Technology, Guided Reading, Standards Based Instruction

Waseca Public Schools – Hartley Elementary – Third Grade Teacher - 2005-2010

 Love & Logic, Teacher Advancement Program (TAP), RtI Team Member, PBIS Team Member, PLC
Member, Blue Ribbon School Award, Peer Coaching, Mentored Student Teachers and Clinical Students

Related Teaching Experiences

Book Buddies Coordination – Jordan Community Education - Summer 2015, 2016
 Created a summer reading program for youth and adult mentors.
 Coordinated a kick off and end of summer reading celebration.
 Designed summer buckets filled with reading activities for participants.

Kids Yoga and Mindfulness Instructor – CYKT 200 – 2012-present

 YogaKids International Certification 2012
 Mindful School Foundation and Educator Essentials Training 2016
 Instruct yoga classes at a local yoga studio, community education, and summer Kids Company program.

EFCE Instructor – Belle Plaine Public Schools – 2013-2014

 Lead teacher for age 3-5 evening class.
 Early literacy and numeracy activities through stations and whole group circle activities.

ECFE Yoga Instructor – Belle Plaine Public Schools – 2016-2017

 Co-teacher for Mind, Body, Books class for 2.5-5 year olds.
 Used story-based yoga to teach early literacy and numeracy skills through yoga poses.

References
Stacy DeCorsey, Principal  Excelsior Elementary School
441 Oak Street, Excelsior, MN 55331 (952) 401-5650

Melissa Barnett, Principal  Jordan Elementary School

815 Sunset Drive, Jordan, MN 55352 (952) 492-2336

Kimberly DeWitte, Principal  Chatfield Elementary School

330 South Market Street, Belle Plaine, MN 56011 (952) 873-2401

Michelle Krell, Director of Teaching and Learning  Owatonna Public Schools

515 West Bridge Street, Owatonna, MN 55060 (507) 444-8600