Rate My Professor Kelli Odden

Dr. Kelli Odden serves as Dean and Division Chair and Professor of Education in the Division of Education at Mayville State University. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Mayville State University in 2001, a Master of Science in Early Childhood Education from the University of North Dakota, and a Doctor of Education in Teaching and Learning from the University of North Dakota in 2015. Her doctoral dissertation, titled 'Secondary Social Studies Teachers’ Perceptions of Special Education Inclusion,' explored general and special education teachers' responsibilities through qualitative interviews with secondary social studies teachers, identifying themes such as expertise, communication, placement, Individual Education Plan summaries, and time constraints. Odden began her career at Mayville State University as an adjunct faculty member in the Early Childhood program, later joining as a full-time faculty member, progressing to Associate Professor, and now holding her current leadership position. She teaches courses in Early Childhood, Special Education, and Elementary Education, delivered both online and on campus.

Dr. Odden is deeply involved in professional leadership, serving as president-elect of the National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators (NAECTE), where she has also acted as Vice-President of Conferences, planning and emceeing annual national conferences in 2022 in Washington, D.C., and 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. She was elected for a second term as Region 8 Representative for NAECTE, representing North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah, contributing to policy work with the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s Power to the Profession. At the state level, she participates on the Early Childhood Standards committee and the Infant and Toddler Impact Grant committee. She advises the Student Education Association, fostering student leadership, and has led initiatives like the Para-to-Teacher Pathway and online professional development opportunities. In 2020, Odden received the inaugural Jeff Sieg Award for Teaching Excellence, recognizing her outstanding teaching, particularly during the transition to online instruction amid COVID-19 challenges. Through her roles, she promotes Mayville State University's early childhood programs nationally and internationally, collaborating with educators and institutions to advance teacher preparation and early childhood education.