Kirsten Baesler

Kirsten Baesler is the state school superintendent and administrator of the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction. The superintendent and her 86-person team oversee the education of public and nonpublic school students in more than 480 buildings across the state. She was first elected to this role in 2012.

Before becoming superintendent, Baesler had a 24-year career in the Bismarck Public School system– the state’s largest school district - as a vice principal, library media specialist, classroom teacher, and instructional assistant. Superintendent Baesler also spent nine years as an elected member of the Mandan School Board, serving as the board’s president for seven of those nine years. She worked for a time as assistant director of the North Dakota School Boards Association. 

Baesler holds two associate’s degrees from Bismarck State College, a bachelor’s degree in education from Minot State University, and a master’s degree in library and information technology integration from Valley City State University. She has completed Harvard University’s graduate school educational leadership program. She has earned Valley City State University’s Distinguished Alumni Award and the Rising Star Award from Bismarck State College.