Classroom positions

I have taught third grade through college students and adults; created lessons to meet the needs of diverse learners; built team as grade-level chair; served as lab classroom for teachers to visit; elected to school and regional leadership teams; served on intervention team; published school newspaper; supervised summer curriculum writing team.

• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Charlotte, NC, 1979-93:Intermediate Teacher or Chapter 1 Teacher: Hornets Nest Elementary, Dilworth Elementary, Tryon Hills Elementary, Hidden Valley Elementary, First Ward Elementary, Thomasboro Elementary. 
• South-Western City Schools, Grove City, Ohio, 1976-79: 3rd/4th grade, Kingston Elementary; 7th/8th grade, Language Arts, Park Street Middle School.
• West Seneca Central Schools, Buffalo, NY, 1974-76: 5th grade, Ebenezer Elementary School, West Seneca, NY, 1974-1976.

College-level positions

• Teacher Research Co-Director, University of North Carolina at Charlotte Writing Project, 1998-present.
• Adjunct Reading Professor, READ 6474-003, Advanced Practicum in Teaching, Learning, and Leadership, spring 2008.
• Co-Director of Summer Writing Institute, National Writing Project at UNC Charlotte, 1996-2000, 2002, 2005-07. 
• Co-Director for Presenters’ Collaborative, the National Writing Project at UNC Charlotte, 2003-2007.
• Co-Teacher of course Writing for Reading Majors, with Dr. Lilian Brannon, Reading Department, Read 6252, 2001.
• Adjunct Writing Professor, UNC Charlotte, "Introduction to the Writing Process," 1985. 
• Writing Researcher, First Ward Elementary research site, UNC Charlotte Writing Project, 1984. 

Literacy facilitator for N.C. public schools

Much of what I offer today as an educational consultant, and how I present it, grew out my decade of work as a literacy facilitator in N.C. public schools. In this position I collaborated with principal and administrative teams, teachers, and staff to coordinate efforts to best serve students, improve performance, and make goals.

Typical responsibilities included: matched data, information and resources with teachers and students in need; assessed and taught teachers to assess students’ needs; analyzed formative and summative assessment data with teachers; modeled in classrooms; observed teachers upon request; supervised and placed assistants; supervised after-school teachers and created sessions for remediation; provided new-teacher and assistant support; taught volunteer workshops and maintained volunteer schedules; published a newsletter of best-practices, teaching ideas; supported portfolio development; advised leadership team (FLT); broadcast a weekly closed-circuit television spot highlighting students and teachers’ innovations; attended conferences and read widely to support 21st century teaching and learning; and maintained central storage.

• W.M. Irvin Elementary, Cabarrus County Schools, NC: Title One Intermediate Lead Teacher and Literacy Facilitator for 17 teachers; supervised 12 literacy assistants; Principal Dr. Katherine (Kelly) Propst, 2002-2007.
• Nathaniel Alexander Elementary at the Governor's Village, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, NC: Literacy Facilitator for 40 teachers and 12 literacy assistants; Principal Nancy Hicks; 1996 - 2002.
• Hornets Nest Elementary, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, NC: Literacy Specialist; Principal Vencie Dunham, 1994-1996.

ABOUT KAREN