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 teachers all over the world, combining virtual PD with in-person coaching and live presentations. When she welcomed Dr. Jenny French and Dr. Dianna Beirne onto the Engaging Learners team, their expertise in Science of Reading, AI in Schools, Multilingual Learners, and School Administration Support, made it possible for Engaging Learners to help even more schools achieve their literacy goals.
Dr. Katie McKnight
Dr. Jenny French
Dr. Dianna Beirne
This page lists a representative sample of our work. We can’t list everything – because that would just be silly. But 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 or state, send us a message and we’ll be glad to fill you in.
Conferences
October 2, 2021 | 3rd National IATEFL Slovenia Conference
Katie McKnight, Ph.D. and Richard M. Cash, Ed.D.
topic: Merging Literacy and Self-Regulation to Increase Achievement
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
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
January 28, 2022 | International Conference on Education 2022
Riphah International University and Higher Education Commission, Pakistan
topic: Do What Matters Most for Educators
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
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™
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
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
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
July 24, 2023 | ThinkCERCA Leadership Institute in Chicago, IL
topic: Closing the Implementation Gap
August 2, 2023 | Bard Core Curriculum: Chicago Shakespeare Theatre in Chicago, IL
topic: Yes, And: Developing Social-Emotional Learning with Academic Skills
October 26, 2023 | Florida ELA Supervisors Meeting: CLAS in Orlando, FL
topic:
The Science of Reading: What it IS and What it ISN’T
ovember 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
November 3-4, 2023 | AMLE50 Fall Conference (Association for Middle Level Education) in National Harbor, MD
topic: Short, Short, BIG!: Bring the Science and Research of Evidence-Based Writing to the Classroom
January 19-21, 2024 | Florida Literacy Association Annual Conference in Orlando, FL
topic: The Science of Reading is Nothing Without the Science of Writing
February 8-10, 2024 | Wisconsin State Reading Association Conference in Milwaukee, WI
topic: Evidence-based Writing IS Critical Thinking (Grades 6-12)
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)
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)
October 22, 2024 | FIRST Educational Resources Conference in Naperville, IL
Dr. Katie McKnight and Dr.Jenny French on the topic:
The Science of Reading for Gr 4-12: Unlocking Literacy for Adolescent Learners
October 29, 2024 | Show-Me Curriculum Administrators Association Fall Conference in Osage Beach, MO
topic: The Science of Reading
March 13 - 14, 2025 | Illinois Reading Council Annual Conference in Springfield, IL
topics: From Reading to Understanding: Transformative Techniques for Content Comprehension
Every Language is a Pathway to Knowledge: Supporting Multilingual Learners in the Content Classroom
Enhancing Literacy and Learning: The Role of Learning Centers for Students (Grades 4-12)
June 10 –12, 2025 | Embracing Literacy Conference in Laramie, WY
Dr. Jenny French presenting on the topic:
Bridging the Gap: The Science of Reading for Secondary Classrooms
July 21, 2025 | Mountain State ESC & West Virginia Department of Education, in Charleston, WV
Dr. Katie McKnight presented on the topic:
Science of Reading 101 for Administrators
Professional Development
Whether you’re looking for district-wide professional development, a dynamic keynote speaker, a one-day workshop, or long-term coaching, Dr. Katie McKnight and Dr. Jenny French will ensure that your teachers and staff walk away from each session with implementable strategies and tools that can be used in their own classrooms the very next day. In addition to sharing expertise in the latest research-based methods, Katie and Jen empower teachers to reach all students, achieve measurable results, and make real and lasting change in their students’ literacy development and in their futures.