Kathy Norris

Since joining Walden University in 2013 as a contributing faculty member, Dr. Norris has served as a committee chair for EdD candidates in educational leadership and has taught various courses in the same discipline. Her involvement on multiple Walden committees, including the Moderator Panel for the Intellectual Discussion program, the Student Academic Achievement Seminar, and the DEI Emotional Intelligence/Mental Health Committee, underscores her commitment to fostering student and faculty success.
In 2023, Dr. Norris contributed as a faculty team member that developed and implemented a three-phase dialogue series grounded in the principles of belonging, community of care, community of inquiry, and social determinants of health. This initiative highlighted the impact of structured social interactions in virtual academic settings to enhance collegiality and resilience among higher education faculty. Her dedication to Walden University was recognized in 2023 when she received the Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences Faculty Excellence Award.

Outside of her role at Walden, Dr. Norris retired in 2019 after serving 12 years as the principal of a large K-8 elementary school. During her tenure, she spearheaded developing and implementing a K-8 Problem-Based Learning STEAM curriculum, which received state recognition. Under her leadership, the school earned National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence designations in 2013 and 2019.

Dr. Norris also has a decade of experience as a West Virginia project manager for a statewide teacher professional development program. She designed the Integrating Strategies and Technologies in Education Practice (InSTEP) model, which empowered over 10,000 teachers to incorporate technology and constructivist teaching strategies into their practice through a problem-based learning framework. This initiative blended face-to-face and online formats to engage educators in solving real-world problems and fostered transformative, student-centered teaching methods.

Additional highlights of her career include:
Designing and implementing professional development curricula for West Virginia K-12 Science and Math teachers.Launching the InSTEP online workshops in three phases (I, II, III) and expanding them to a fourth phase.Developing a Problem-Based Learning-focused master’s program at Wheeling Jesuit University.Writing online courses for Ohio and West Virginia teachers pursuing National Board Certification. Dr. Norris brings her extensive expertise and collaborative spirit to the Curriculum and Academic Policy Committee. She is confident that her experience and dedication to academic excellence will support the committee’s mission to advance curriculum development and policy initiatives that benefit a diverse learning community.

Education

PhD, Capella University

MEd, Ohio University

BS, Ohio University