Nikki Jones | Learning Facilitator & Leadership Coach

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Nikki Jones is a distinguished educational leader currently serving as Senior Principal of North Star Academy, one of the highest performing charter schools in New Jersey and a proud member of the Uncommon Schools network. Under her visionary leadership, the school maintains its position as the top-ranked institution within the network, consistently demonstrating remarkable growth and resilience in closing pandemic-related achievement gaps. 

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Throughout her illustrious career, Nikki has garnered numerous accolades recognizing her excellence in education. She received the Best Practices Award from Newark Public Schools in 2001 and 2003, was honored as the Newark Public Schools Teacher of the Year in 2011, and has been named Uncommon Principal of the Year for three consecutive years (2022, 2023, and 2024). In 2024 she received a Platinum School award from Leverage Leadership Institute (this award is for high performing principals and principal managers who serve in traditional and charter organizations from all over the world). Her leadership is characterized by a steadfast commitment to academic excellence, equity, and sustainability.

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With over two decades of experience in public education, Nikki’s journey began in 1999 with Newark Public Schools. She spent five years as a classroom teacher, excelling in English instruction—achieving 100% mastery on state assessments for two consecutive years. Her passion for student success and instructional excellence propelled her into leadership roles, including 11 years as a principal and four years as a principal and leadership coach. Since transitioning to school leadership in 2014, she has consistently driven high performance, with her schools attaining some of the highest scores within the network. Her strategic focus on data-driven instruction and targeted interventions has resulted in significant gains, notably during the pandemic recovery period, where her schools achieved double-digit growth.

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In her capacity as Senior Principal, Nikki excels not only in school improvement but also in cultivating leadership talent. She is widely recognized for her effective coaching and mentorship of aspiring and current school leaders, fostering a culture of continuous professional growth. Her expertise in leadership development enables her to empower others to excel, ensuring sustained organizational success across multiple schools and districts. She has also extended her influence beyond her immediate context through consulting roles with districts in North Carolina, Chicago, and Cincinnati, providing strategic guidance and leadership development.

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Prior to her principalship, Nikki spent over nine years as a curriculum developer and instructional leader, shaping instructional practices across various settings. Her comprehensive background includes delivering high-impact professional development, coaching educators, and refining curriculum standards to elevate teaching and learning outcomes.

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Nikki holds a teaching credential from Rutgers University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Montclair State University. Her dedication to educational equity, leadership excellence, and ongoing professional development makes her a transformative leader committed to inspiring others and advancing educational outcomes for all students.

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