As an Elevate Academy Cohort Facilitator at GRREC, Kara supports educators across the state through research-based, job-embedded professional learning as they work toward rank change. Her work focuses on building educator capacity and supporting meaningful, sustainable growth in instructional practice. Kara holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Communications from Lindsey Wilson University, a Master of Arts in Learning and Behavior Disorders from Western Kentucky University, and earned her Rank I through Elevate Academy (during its early years as GRREC ED). With more than 20 years of experience in education, she has served in a variety of roles across elementary, middle, and high school settings in both general and special education, as well as in educational technology roles at the school and corporate levels.

GRREC has played a significant role in shaping Kara’s professional practice throughout her career, and she values the opportunity to now serve Kentucky educators through the same organization that has long supported her growth as an educator. Outside of her work at GRREC, Kara serves on the board of the Smile at Me Foundation and as a Children’s Ministry Coordinator at her church, in addition to supporting other ministry initiatives.

In her free time, you will find her soaking up the sun while taking a walk or reading a book, traveling, playing games, and spending time with her family and friends.

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