Professional Development
Professional Learning That Connects to Your Classroom
Teachers need time to think about instruction, understand what students are showing them, and make thoughtful decisions about what comes next. Professional learning should support that work and leave teachers ready to apply what they’ve learned.
That’s where I come in.
I’m Catherine Reed, the educator behind The Brown Bag Teacher. My experience spans kindergarten, first, second, and fifth grade classrooms, district literacy coaching, and regional professional learning. Teaching combination classes and supporting students through intervention shaped the questions I still ask: What does this student understand? What support would help? How can we make that support manageable?
Today, I work with educators through Elevate Academy at Green River Regional Educational Cooperative, supporting professional growth through coaching, action research, and instructional improvement. I also supervise teacher candidates through Western Kentucky University.
Previously, my district and regional roles included partnering with teachers, instructional coaches, and school leaders across more than forty Kentucky districts. That work connected literacy instruction, HQIR curriculum implementation, and systems of support to the daily decisions happening in classrooms.
I hold master’s degrees in Literacy Education and Principal Leadership, along with an Advanced Certificate in Structured Literacy from the International Dyslexia Association. My specialized preparation includes LETRS, LETRS for Administrators, and the Kentucky Center for Mathematics Numeracy Project.
What We Can Work On Together
- Building mathematical thinkers: Number sense, counting on, making 10, place value, and routines that help students explain their reasoning.
- Making math instruction manageable: Purposeful centers, number talks, small-group instruction, and structures that build independence.
- Strengthening literacy instruction: Connecting reading research to explicit instruction, meaningful practice, and responsive support.
- Teaching how words work: Using morphology to build vocabulary and help students make connections across subjects.
- Supporting writers: Planning routines, scaffolds, and feedback that help students communicate their ideas.
- Turning professional learning into practice: Using student work, assessment, and classroom observations to plan, implement, and refine instruction.
Our time together includes clear explanations, classroom examples, opportunities to practice, and space to plan. We’ll connect the learning to your instructional materials, your students, and the realities of your school day.
Let’s Plan Together
Tell me about your team, your instructional priorities, and what you hope teachers will leave ready to do. Together, we can shape professional learning with a clear purpose and practical next steps.
Structure first. Confidence follows.
Contact Me