Dr. Kristen Craft

Dr. Kristen Craft has a wealth of experience in educational leadership. In 2003, they began their career as Assistant Principal of Emporia High School in Emporia Public Schools USD #253, where they developed a master schedule for 1000 students and supervised the women's athletic program. Dr. Kristen then moved to Maize USD 266 in 2007, where they served as Assistant Principal of Maize South Middle School and partnered with teachers, students and parents to address learning and discipline problems. In 2010, they became Principal of Derby Public School District, where they supervised 85 staff and 1000 7th and 8th-grade students, designed Student-Led Conferences increasing attendance to 98%, and implemented a New Teen Leadership curriculum. In 2011, they returned to Emporia Public Schools USD #253 as Executive Director of Secondary Education, where they organized professional learning for certified and classified district staff and coordinated the implementation of AVID school-wide secondary program. In 2021, they started their own business, Crafted Coaching, as an Educational Leadership Coach. Most recently, in 2022, they began working as an Education and Innovation Consultant for the Midwest Region of Generation Esports.

Dr. Kristen Craft obtained their Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership and Administration, General from Kansas State University between 2008 and 2014. Prior to that, they obtained their Master's Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration, General from Emporia State University between 2000 and 2002. Dr. Kristen also obtained their Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education and Teaching from The University of Kansas between 1990 and 1994. In addition, Craft holds two certifications from the Kansas State Department of Education: District Level Administration, obtained in March 2014, and Building Level Administration PreK-12, obtained in May 1995.