Nina McLean is a 2025-2026 Teach Plus Illinois Affinity Group Facilitator and elementary school assistant principal at Officer Elementary School in East Saint Louis, Illinois. She focuses on English language arts curriculum, student growth, and data analysis. Nina leads her school’s attendance improvement team, behavior team, mentoring groups, and Multi-Tiered System of Supports/Child Study Team. She was named Southern Illinois Region’s Teacher of the Year (2025-2026), Salute to Excellence in Teaching Awardee (2024-2025), Education to Action Awardee (2024-2025), and Ameren Excellence in Teaching. Nina is also a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Reserve. She earned her BA in education from Western Illinois University, MA in educational administration and leadership from McKendree University, and is pursuing a PhD in education from Edwardsville University.
