Dr. Kelly Monson

Dr. Kelly Monson is a culturally responsive educator who has served at the elementary, middle, high school, and university levels. She has led in urban and suburban school districts as an Assistant Superintendent, Principal, Assistant Principal, Department Chair, and special education teacher throughout her educational journey. Dr. Monson holds a doctorate degree in Educational Administration, and master’s degrees in educational leadership and special education, and earned licensure endorsements in the Superintendent, General Administration (Principal), and LBS1 for Special Education. She is currently an Assistant Professor and Director of Graduate Studies at Rockford University where she established an Urban Education Leadership Graduate Program for Principal Certification in the state of Illinois. Dr. Monson also leads graduate students in a teacher leader preparation program and guides students though studies on Critical Social Justice, School Improvement, Equity Inquiry Cycles, and Action Research, concepts that she integrates into her mentoring and professional development. She has presented across the state and has published articles related to the new Illinois State Board of Education Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading (CRTL) standards. She coaches school leaders and educators through processes that incorporate authentic social emotional learning through the integration of restorative practices and cognitively engaging teaching strategies to help educators and leaders establish a sense of belonging in their schools and increase student achievement.