Kathy Norris

Dr. Kathleen Norris is a contributing faculty member in educational leadership at Walden University, where she has served since 2013. She teaches courses across Master’s, Education Specialist, and doctoral programs and serves as a committee chair for Doctor of Education candidates. With more than 40 years of experience as a teacher, professional development leader, and building administrator, Dr. Norris brings extensive expertise in student-centered instruction, leadership development, and applied educational practice.

At Walden, Dr. Norris is actively engaged in supporting both student and faculty success. She serves as an elected member of the Curriculum and Academic Policy Committee, contributing to faculty governance related to curriculum development, academic policy, and program quality. She has also served as a moderator for the Intellectual Discussion program, the Student Academic Achievement Success seminar series, and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Emotional Intelligence and Mental Health Committee, reflecting her commitment to fostering inclusive and supportive learning environments. In addition, she contributes to student retention and mentoring initiatives. In 2023, she was part of a faculty team that developed and facilitated a three-phase dialogue series designed to strengthen faculty connection and collaboration. Grounded in principles of belonging, community of care, community of inquiry, and social determinants of health, the series demonstrated the impact of structured dialogue in enhancing faculty engagement and resilience in virtual academic environments.

Dr. Norris’s primary areas of expertise include student-centered teaching, problem-based learning, instructional leadership, and faculty development. Her work emphasizes the use of research-based strategies to support student persistence, engagement, and academic success, particularly for adult learners in online environments. She is also interested in fostering communities of inquiry that promote collaboration, reflection, and meaningful learning experiences.

Prior to joining Walden, Dr. Norris served for 12 years as the principal of a large kindergarten through eighth grade school, where she led the development and implementation of a problem-based learning science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics curriculum that received state recognition. Under her leadership, the school earned National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence designations in 2013 and 2019. She also served as a statewide project manager for a teacher professional development initiative in West Virginia, where she designed the Integrating Strategies and Technologies in Education Practice model. This initiative supported more than 10,000 educators in implementing technology-rich, constructivist teaching practices through a problem-based learning framework.

Additional professional accomplishments include designing and delivering professional development programs for kindergarten through twelfth grade science and mathematics educators, developing graduate-level coursework, and supporting teachers pursuing National Board Certification. In recognition of her contributions to teaching, service, and student success, Dr. Norris received the 2023 Faculty Excellence Award from the Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences.

Education

PhD, Capella University

MEd, Ohio University

BS, Ohio University