Maria Nei

Dedicated educational leader and current district administrator with extensive experience in urban education, special education, and English language development. Passionate about preparing the next generation of educators by connecting research-based practices with real-world educational leadership and classroom experience. Expertise includes curriculum and special program development, instructional coaching, behavioral and classroom management, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and collaborative co-teaching models. Skilled at mentoring educators, leading systems-level improvement, and fostering inclusive learning environments that support diverse student populations. Committed to promoting culturally responsive practices and educator excellence through teaching, collaboration, and service.

Advanced Teacher

Preparations:

• Secondary Preparation
• K-12 SPED Preparation

Endorsements:

• Elementary & Secondary English as a New Language
• K-12 Special Education
• Self Contained K-4th Grade
• Self Contained Fifth - Eighth Grade
• Middle Level Learner
• K - 4th Grade English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Science
• 5th - 8th Grade English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Science
• Secondary Advanced Composition/Grammar & Advanced Literature

Advanced Administrator

Preparations: K-12 Principal Preparation

Endorsements: K-12 Principal

• Evaluating International Transcripts for Immigrant Students, Dakota TESOL Conference 2023.
• Presented and co-led PD for the staff at Sonia Sotomayor Elementary School for Peer Alliance and Gender Equity (PAGE). Professional development spanned 2016-2017 school year covering the issues of gender equality, race relations, understanding implicit biases, growth mindset, impact on teaching and learning.
• Designed and delivered professional development for general education staff on accurate special education documentation, progress monitoring, compliance requirements, and implementation of appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities.
• Planned and facilitated professional development for teachers, principals, and superintendents on best practices for supporting migrant and multilingual learners, including program implementation and instructional strategies for English Learners.
• Facilitated professional learning sessions for teachers and school staff on the Love and Logic framework, promoting proactive classroom management, positive behavior supports, and relationship-based instructional practices.

• Dakota TESOL Administrator of the Year, 2023.
• Dr. John W. Harris Teacher of the Year Nominee, 2018.
• Recipient of Light of Edison at Edison Middle School, 2015.
  Award for teaching & learning, collaboration, and responsiveness to student needs.
• Developed and designed Spanish immersion special education program for Sonia Sotomayor Elementary School, SFSD.
• A developer of the first developmental bilingual middle school program in MPS.
• Designed and established the first content-based EL program in a developmental bilingual program for Kindergarten in MPS.
• Piloted and helped develop the WIDA Standards and the ACCESS assessment.

• National Education Association (NEA)
• Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
• Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE)
• South Dakota Council of Administrators of Special Education (SDCASE)
• Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)
• School Administrators of South Dakota (SASD)
• Dakota TESOL (2021-2024)