Quick Facts

  • Global Leadership: Over 25 years of experience improving learning in the U.S., China, and Puerto Rico.

  • Current Executive Experience: Currently serving as a Director of Learning & Teaching for a school district in Minnesota.

  • Academic Excellence: Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) with research focused on multilingual learner success; M.A. in ESL and M.Ed. in Educational Leadership.

  • U.S. Licensing: Four professional Minnesota (USA) licenses: Superintendent; K-12 Principal; English as a Second Language (ESL), K-12; Elementary Education

  • Systemic Language Impact: 16+ years directing multilingual policy, programs, and practices, including extensive experience with English Language Development and Dual Language Immersion. 

  • Teaching Foundation: Elementary and high school teacher in Minnesota, U.S., and Puerto Rico.

  • IB Expertise: Former Vice Principal in an IBPYP international school, specializing in student inquiry, agency, and framework implementation.

  • Linguistic Roots: Native speaker of English, Proficient in Spanish, and a beginner in Mandarin

Kristie O’Brien, Ed.D | Founder and Lead Consultant

A Note from Kristie:

Leadership is a series of complex decisions, but ensuring the success of your multilingual learners shouldn't be a solitary burden. I founded Radiance Consulting to be the partner I sought during my years as an administrator—a partner who understands that systemic excellence requires both a global vision and a practitioner's pulse.

A Career Rooted in Multilingual Excellence

I am a seasoned educator and current U.S. Director of Learning & Teaching with a 25-year legacy of serving multilingual communities. From my start as a classroom teacher in the diverse schools of St. Paul, Minnesota, to my work in English immersion in Puerto Rico and leadership in an International IB World School in China, I have spent my entire career at the intersection of language, literacy, and leadership.

As a former IB Administrator and EAL Coordinator, I specialize in the "Empowering Design" of systems that bridge high-level policy, curriculum development, and classroom instruction. My dual-market expertise allows me to seamlessly navigate the IB Continuum (PYP, MYP, DP) alongside U.S. Common Core, UDL, and MTSS frameworks.

I hold a Doctorate of Education with a dissertation focused on multilingual learner success, a Master of Arts in ESL, and a Master of Education in Leadership. My work is defined by a "structured inquiry" approach that advocates for student agency and a deep commitment to the radiance of every learner. I build school capacity through relationship-driven partnerships, ensuring that every system I help you design is as sustainable as it is impactful.

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