LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT BRYCE NIEMAN

Chief Communications Officer

What was your first job out of college and how has it shaped the way you perform your current position?

My first “real” job out of college was covering high school sports for a weekly newspaper. My “actual” first job after college was working the front desk at a hotel while I was trying to figure out what to do career-wise. It wasn’t my first time working in hospitality, but that line of work always provides great customer service experience while practicing humility and patience, some key traits for my current role. Working at the newspaper allowed me to further hone my writing, editing, and design skills, while working in a deadline-oriented environment.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received? Who was it from?

A sign along the highway once reminded me that “The left lane is for passing only,” and I’ve never forgotten that. It’s something we should all really remember.

If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in something, what would it be?

Maybe home repairs. I love fixing things, but every home repair or DIY project turns into quite the chore – looking up how to do it, then messing it up 2-3 (or 4-5) times before I get it right.

I’m jealous of the know-how and confidence of contractors, electricians, plumbers, and the like.

If you could offer one piece of advice to the students of Keller ISD, what would it be?

It sounds simple, but be comfortable being you. Society likes to place labels on people – it helps our lazy brains process things quicker – but you’re your own person. While we have things we share in common, no one’s experience is exactly like yours, so embrace that you have a unique role to play, and don’t waste time worrying if you don’t quite fit the label someone else tries to affix to you. However, once you feel that you’ve achieved your personal definition of “successful,” feel free to label yourself “A Product of Keller ISD.” We’re going to be proud of you.

Which sports team is your favorite?

Just one? I’m a big sports fan, so I have so many favorites, but above all of them, I’m an Oklahoma Sooners football fan. We’ve had season tickets for 25 years now (extending back before I was even a student there) and I’ve only missed two home games over that span. I’ll also travel to several of the away games each season. I’m pretty passionate about all of OU’s athletics programs. I also love the Texas Rangers, the Mavericks, the Stars… all the local pro teams with one “giant” exception – I don’t care for the local NFL team. I’m a big New York Giants fan. I enjoy watching Premier League soccer, too – Up the Villa!

What is it like to have grown up in Keller ISD and now work in the District?

It’s almost like I never graduated! But seriously, I attended Keller ISD from Kindergarten at Parkview Elementary School through graduation from Fossil Ridge High School, and so I love that I’ve had the opportunity to come back and serve the school district that was such a large part of my life growing up. As much as Keller ISD has grown, it’s also fun to see familiar faces of teachers who are still working here from my days as a student, and then to see others I went to school with come back to teach (shoutout to all of those KISD teachers from the FRHS Class of 2001).