
Our History
Engaging Learners inspires educators with professional learning solutions that set the stage for student literacy growth.
The result — confident readers, writers, and thinkers ready to thrive.
Since 2014, Dr. Katie McKnight has worked with educators all over the country, combining in-person coaching and workshops with virtual PD and live conference presentations.
In addition to research-based instructional practices and classroom-tested assessment strategies, Katie McKnight’s Engaging Learners quickly became known for:
Literacy & Learning Centers™ - Katie’s unique, centers-based approach to grade 4-12 instruction, was developed through her years of research and classroom experience. It has resulted in dramatic academic gains in every school that implements the model with fidelity.
Yes, And: Improvisation in the Classroom - Based on the book The Second City Guide to Improv in the Classroom: Using Improvisation to Teach Skills and Boost Learning, by Katherine McKnight and Mary Scruggs. (Jossey-Bass, 2008). Thanks to Katie’s work, teachers and administrators alike have discovered that improv is an ideal pedagogical strategy for teaching and learning because it has both inherent structure and flexibility. It links sensory-motor, cognitive, and social emotional experiences and provides the optimal setting for adolescent brain development and inclusive classrooms.
Recently, Katie has had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Jenny French and Dr. Dianna Beirne onto the Engaging Learners team. Jenny and Dianna’s expertise on The Science of Reading, Artificial Intelligence in Schools, Multilingual Learners, and School Administration has made it possible for Engaging Learners to help even more schools achieve their literacy objectives - especially for grade 4-12 learners..
Engaging Learners offers flexible solutions to address the spectrum of literacy needs.
If you want a peek at what we’ve we been up to, just take a look. Of course if you have questions about our work on a particular topic, or in a specific district, region, or state, send us a message. We’ll be glad to fill you in!
CVs are available on the presenters’ individual About pages.
Representative Conference
Appearances
July 21, 2025 | Mountain State ESC & West Virginia Department of Education, in Charleston, WV
topic: Science of Reading 101 for Administrators
June 10 –12, 2025 | Embracing Literacy Conference in Laramie, WY
topic: Bridging the Gap: The Science of Reading for Secondary Classrooms
March 13 - 14, 2025 | Illinois Reading Council Annual Conference in Springfield, IL
topics: Transformative Techniques for Content Comprehension
Supporting Multilingual Learners in the Content Classroom
Enhancing Literacy and Learning: The Role of Learning Centers for Students (Grades 4-12)
October 29, 2024 | Show-Me Curriculum Administrators Association Fall Conference in Osage Beach, MO
topic: The Science of Reading
October 22, 2024 | FIRST Educational Resources Conference in Naperville, IL
topic:
The Science of Reading for Gr 4-12: Unlocking Literacy for Adolescent Learners
March 14 - 15, 2024 | Illinois Reading Council Annual Conference in Springfield, IL
topics: Good Questions + Good Reading = Awesome Thinking (Grades 4-12)
The Science of Reading is Nothing Without the Science of Writing (Grades 4-12)
What Does the Science of Reading Mean for Content Area Teachers (Grades 4-12)
February 22-24, 2024 | Palmetto State Literacy Association Annual Conference in Hilton Head Island, SC
topic: What Does the Science of Reading Mean for Content Area Teachers (Grades 4-12)
February 8-10, 2024 | Wisconsin State Reading Association Conference in Milwaukee, WI
topic: Evidence-based Writing IS Critical Thinking (Grades 6-12)
January 19-21, 2024 | Florida Literacy Association Annual Conference in Orlando, FL
topic: The Science of Reading is Nothing Without the Science of Writing
November 3-4, 2023 | AMLE50 Fall Conference in National Harbor, MD
Association for Middle Level Education
topic: Short, Short, BIG!: Bring the Science and Research of Evidence-Based Writing to the Classroom
November 2, 2023 | Multilingual Learner Annual Fall Conference in West Lafayette, IN
Hosted by Wabash Valley Education Center
Presentations on the following topics:
Yes, AND: Developing Language and Literacy Skills with Strength-Based ELL Instruction
Building the Instructional Scaffold toward Grade-Level Reading and Beyond
Literacy & Learning Centers
October 26, 2023 | Florida ELA Supervisors Meeting: CLAS in Orlando, FL
topic:
The Science of Reading: What it IS and What it ISN’T
July 24, 2023 | ThinkCERCA Leadership Institute in Chicago, IL
topic: Closing the Implementation Gap
July 18-19, 2023 | California League of Educators 2023 Summer Institute in Indian Wells, CA
Presentations on the following topics:
The Science of Reading: What it IS and what it ISN'T (Keynote)
Do This, Not That to Improve Student Reading Comprehension, Grades 5-12
Centers, Stations and Rotations for Grades 4-12
Taking the Ambiguity Out of the Teaching of Writing: Short Writes, Big Gains
June 22-24, 2023 | National Schools To Watch Conference in Washington, DC
Presentations on the following topics:
Good Questions, Good Reading
Do This (Not That) to Raise Adolescent Reading Comprehension
November 19, 2022 | NAGC 2022 in Indianapolis, IN
National Association of Gifted Children
Presentations on the following topics:
Dealing with the Unpredictable: Using Improv with Twice-Exceptional & Gifted ELL Students
Teens Love to Argue: Guiding Gifted Students in Evidence-based Writing
August 15-18, 2022
| Engaging Literacy for the Big Kids Conference
Hosted by FIRST Educational Resources Literacy & Coaching Center
Presentations on the following topics:
Teaching Evidence Based Writing in the Disciplines
Help! My Students Don't Understand What They're Reading!
Hands-On Grammar and Vocabulary Instruction,
Literacy & Learning Centers™
June 23-25, 2022 | Schools to Watch National Conference in Washington D.C.
Hosted by The National Forum To Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform
topic: Teens Love to Argue: Guiding Students in Evidence-Based Writing
topic: Take the Ambiguity Out of Writing to Build Strong Thinkers
January 28, 2022 | International Conference on Education 2022, Pakistan
Riphah International University and Higher Education Commission, Pakistan
topic: Do What Matters Most for Educators
November 12, 2021 | NAGC 2021 in Denver, CO
National Association of Gifted Children
Katie McKnight, Ph.D. and Richard M. Cash, Ed.D.
topic: Using Creative Dramatics to Increase Self-Awareness, Confidence and Social Engagement
October 21, 2021 | Northwest District-LCMS in Seaside, OR
Presentations on the following topics:
Movement & Active Learning for Today’s Classroom,
To Grade or Not to Grade: Skills and Standards-Based Assessment,
Reading Strategies to Support Struggling Readers in All Content Areas,
Growth Mindset in a Collaborative Learning Model
October 2, 2021 | 3rd National IATEFL Slovenia Conference, Slovenia
Katie McKnight, Ph.D. and Richard M. Cash, Ed.D.
topic: Merging Literacy and Self-Regulation to Increase Achievement
Representative
Webinars
How to Talk to AI: The Art of Prompt Writing for Teachers
September 30, 2025 | Engaging Learners Fall Webinar Series
Dr. Dianna Beirne
See recording here.
Creating a Comprehensive AI Policy
September 16, 2025 | Engaging Learners Fall Webinar Series
Dr. Dianna Beirne
See recording here.
How to Teach Reading in Grades 6-12 (Fast!) - Even If No One Taught You How
June 26, 2025 | Engaging Learners Summer Kick-Off Webinar Series
Dr. Jenny French
See recording here.
Designing Secondary & Summer Intervention Programs That Actually Work
June 3, 2025 | Engaging Learners Summer Kick-Off Webinar Series
Dr. Jenny French
See recording here.
Stop Spinning Plates. Why Most School Change Fails.
May 13, 2025 | Engaging Learners Summer Kick-Off Webinar Series
Dr. Jenny French
See recording here.
The 6th-12 Grade Reading Mind: Unlocking Grade-Level Success
What does the brain look like as it’s learning to read?
November & December 2023 | ThinkCERCA 2-Part Webinar Series
Dr. Katie McKnight and Dr. Jenny French
See recording here.
Texas STAAR Redesign - Constructed Response Readiness
September 12, 2023 | Educational Resource Company and Short, Short, BIG! Author Webinar Series
Dr. Katie McKnight and Alan Sitomer
See recording here.
Science of Reading in Grades 6-12
Do This, Not That: School-level Strategies (Part 2 of 2)
May 24, 2023 | ThinkCERCA Boardroom to Classroom Webinar Series
Dr. Katie McKnight with Eileen Murphy
See recording here.
The ABCs of Evidence-Based Writing: Teaching Students to Use Evidence Effectively
April 20, 2023 | Educational Resource Company and Short, Short, BIG!
Dr. Katie McKnight and Alan Sitomer
Science of Reading in Grades 6-12
Science of Reading in Middle and Secondary Schools: District-level Strategies (Part 1 of 2)
April 14, 2023 | ThinkCERCA Boardroom to Classroom Webinar Series
Dr. Katie McKnight with Eileen Murphy
See recording here.
Literacy & Learning Centers for the Big Kids (Grades 4-12)
March 29, 2022 | Teachers’ Institute & School Counselor’s Institute
Katie McKnight, Ph.D.
See recording here.
Encouraging Critical and Creative Thinking Through Reading, Writing, and Speaking
September 30, 2021 |
Saddleback Educational Publishing Webinar Series
Katie McKnight, Ph.D. and Richard M. Cash, Ed.D.
See recording here
Setting Up Your Classroom for Productive Learning
July 28, 2022 |
Saddleback Educational Publishing Webinar Series
Katie McKnight, Ph.D. and Richard M. Cash, Ed.D.
See recording here
Representative Presentations & Workshops
What the Science of Reading Looks Like for Middle and High School
June 2025 | KINLCon 2025, IN
Harnessing the Power of Questioning to Spur Deep Reading
October 2024 | Wabash Valley Education Center, IN
Yes, And: Developing Social-Emotional Learning with Academic Skills
August 2024 | Bard Core Curriculum: Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, IL
Research-Based Instructional Practice to Support All Learners
September 2023 | Princeton Day School, NJ
Advancing Literacy Skills for All Students
August 2023 | Trinity Catholic School, Diocese of Columbus, OH
Short, Short, BIG! Evidence-Based Writing
August 2023 | Eagle Pass ISD, TX
Literacy & Learning Centers™
May 2023 | Union Local School District, OH
Using Assessment to Drive Instruction
March 2023 | Yucca Valley High School, CA
Literacy & Learning Centers™
October 2022 | Bering Strait School District, AK
Short, Short, BIG! Evidence-Based Writing
August 2022 | Greencastle Community School Corporation, IN
Engaging Literacy for the Big Kids
August 2022 | Maryville Joint Unified School District, CA
Advanced Reading Comprehension in all Content Areas
July 2022 | Nebraska Educational Service Unit, NE
Fundamental Skills for Evidence-Based Writing
June 2022 | Region 14 Education Service Center, TX
Literacy & Learning Centers™
June 2022 | Region 14 Education Service Center, TX
Literacy & Learning Centers™
October 2021 | Region 10 Education Service Center, TX
Developing Literacy in the Disciplines
October 2021 | Northern Maine Educational Collaborative, ME
Literacy & Learning Centers™
September 2021 | Terrell County High School, GA
Descriptive Feedback
August 2021 | The Pennington School Summer Institute for Educators, NJ
Representative
Partner Schools
Every school year, Engaging Learners leads a few school-wide and district-wide initiatives. By building yearlong (sometimes years-long!) relationships with educators, the Engaging Learners team is able to help schools, districts, professional organizations, and entire communities meet larger literacy goals.
Partners for 2025-2026 include:
American Heritage Schools in Plantation, FL
Big Hollow Middle School in Ingleside, IL
Bishop DuBourg High School in St. Louis, MO
McLean County Unit District No. 5 in Normal, IL
St. Johns County School District in St. Augustine, FL
Thea Bowman Leadership Academy in Gary, IN
2024-2025 | Warren County Public Schools in Front Royal, VA
focus: Science of Reading and Tier 1 Instruction
2023-2025 | Big Hollow School District in Ingleside, IL
focus: Literacy & Learning Centers™ and Science of Reading
2023-2025 | DeKalb Community Unit School District 428 in DeKalb, IL
focus: Literacy & Learning Centers™
2023-2025 | Wabash Valley Education Center in West Lafayette, IN
focus: Literacy and Science of Reading
2023-2024 | Marysville Joint Unified School District in Marysville, CA
focus: Literacy for the Big Kids
2023-2024 | Regina Dominican High School in Wilmette, IL
focus: ELA Curriculum Development
2022-2023 | Lake Geneva Middle School in Lake Geneva, WI
focus: Literacy & Learning Centers™
2022-2023 | Logan County Schools in Logan, WV
focus: Literacy & Learning Centers™
2022-2023 | Trotwood-Madison City Schools in Trotwood, OH
focus: Reading, Writing, and Literacy Instruction
2021-2022 | Omaha Public Schools in Omaha, NE
focus: Literacy & Learning Centers™
2021-2022 | Lake Mills School District in Lake Mills, WI
focus: Disciplinary Literacy
2021-2022 | Memorial Middle School in Eatontown, NJ
focus: Literacy & Learning Centers™
2021-2022 | Leyden Area Special Education Cooperative in Franklin Park, IL
focus: Differentiated Instruction
2021-2022 | Archdiocese of San Francisco in San Francisco, CA
focus: Literacy & Learning Centers™