Kristi Alexander

Kristi Alexander serves as Professor and Coordinator of Educational Specialist programs (EdLead K-12, Superintendency, Generalist, and Superintendent/Central Office Certification) in the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education at Northwest Missouri State University's School of Education, where she has contributed since 2003 through teaching, program development, and scholarly leadership.

Her academic preparation includes:

• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from University of Missouri-Columbia
• Ed.S. Superintendency from Northwest Missouri State University
• M.S. in Elementary/Middle School Administration from Northwest Missouri State University
• B.S. Elementary/Middle School Education with Mathematics minor from Northwest Missouri State University

Professor Alexander's research investigates legal frameworks in public education, middle school pedagogy, and evidence-based teaching methodologies, with particular focus on mitigating teacher shortages through innovative clinical partnerships. Her scholarship consistently addresses the intersection of policy implementation and practical leadership challenges in K-12 settings, emphasizing solutions for resource-constrained districts.

Her publication record demonstrates sustained engagement with critical educational challenges, especially teacher recruitment/retention crises and school law applications, while driving programmatic innovations in leadership certification through state-approved curriculum redesigns and accreditation documentation.

Key recognitions include:

• CITE Fellowship Grant for course development
• Google Technology Grant for instructional innovation

As Educational Specialist Program Coordinator, she mentors cohort-based administrative candidates while providing university service as 49th Faculty Senate President and contributor to School of Education tenure/promotion criteria. Her operational impact extends to faculty evaluation system design and accreditation narratives for NCATE.

Her pre-academic career as Superintendent, Principal, Special Education Director, and Science/Math teacher provides grounded perspective for developing leadership curricula responsive to real-world school challenges.