Liz Bryant

Senior Specialist, Midwest

lbryant@niet.org

Liz Bryant has been working in education in Indiana since 2016. She earned her degree in Elementary Education from Indiana University and holds two master’s degrees, one in Curriculum and Instruction and another in Educational Leadership. Liz began her career as a second-grade teacher and later transitioned to teaching English Language Arts to high-ability learners in grades four through six. She also served as the district’s High Ability Coordinator, designing and implementing programs that challenged and supported advanced learners in grades K-12.

Her leadership journey continued when she became the Master Teacher at the elementary school in her hometown, Hagerstown, Indiana, during its first year of partnership with the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET). From there, she moved into a district-level role as Director of Learning. In each of these roles, Liz has implemented and supported NIET’s instructional frameworks, giving her a comprehensive understanding of the organization’s impact from multiple vantage points. Her combined classroom and administrative experience has given her a well-rounded and practical lens for leading instructional improvement and supporting educators at every level.

Throughout her career, Liz has remained passionate about building teacher capacity and student success. Her ability to apply NIET’s structures across various contexts allows her to provide insightful and actionable support to schools and districts.

Why are you passionate about working at NIET?

I am passionate about working at NIET because I believe deeply in the power of strong instructional systems to transform teaching and learning. What excites me most is seeing how intentional structures, when implemented well, create a ripple effect that leads to tangible student success. NIET provides a framework that not only supports educators at every level but also builds the capacity of leaders to sustain meaningful improvement.

What accomplishment are you most proud of through your work at NIET?

One accomplishment I am most proud of is the collaboration with our district’s superintendent to create a system for weekly principal coaching. Through this effort, we provided consistent, targeted support to principals in developing high-quality ILT meetings. This work not only strengthened leadership across our schools, but also directly impacted the quality of instruction in classrooms, which ultimately benefited our students. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that the support structures we built are continuing to drive growth long after they were first implemented.

What was your favorite subject in school and why?

When I was in school, history was always my favorite subject because it encouraged thoughtful discussion and the exploration of multiple perspectives. I was fascinated by the way historical events shaped societies and influenced the present. Studying history taught me to think critically, ask questions, and understand the complexity of human experiences; skills that have carried over into my work in education. I loved connecting past events to current realities and reflecting on how decisions, actions, and leadership can create lasting impact.