2026 ISBE Career Connections Conference

Jason Klein is the Senior Director of Learning Partnerships at Northern Illinois University (NIU). This role includes work in both the NIU College of Education and the NIU Division of Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development. In this role, Jason co-facilitates the Illinois P-20 Network and coordinates partnerships with school districts, community colleges and other organizations for both degree programs and other professional learning. Additionally, at NIU, Jason has worked as a member of the P-20 Research and Data Collaborative and with the Illinois Interactive Report Cards office. Prior to working at NIU, Jason served for nearly 25 years in demographically diverse Illinois public school districts as a teacher, principal and assistant superintendent. His instructional focus has been on transforming learning opportunities for all students so that they benefit from differentiated and challenging authentic problem-based learning. Jason has focused on implementing democratic models of school improvement informed by modern principles of project management, and he has been a leader in using technology to innovate assessment and instruction. Jason has a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a master's degree and Ph.D. in educational administration from Illinois State University, and an Ed.S. in educational administration from NIU.