Kathleen Theodore
Program Associate
Kathleen Theodore is a Program Associate with SEDL's Education Systems Support (ESS) program. Ms. Theodore works with the Southeast Comprehensive Center (SECC) to build the capacity of state and regional agencies in assisting schools and districts with implementing the programs and goals of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. In this work, she focuses on curriculum and instruction, particularly the Common Core State Standards, effective literacy practices, early childhood education, and professional development to improve literacy outcomes in districts and schools.
Contact Information
You may contact Kathleen Theodore at 800-644-8671
- Early Childhood: Ms. Theodore’s work includes assisting school districts and state education agencies with best practices in language and literacy development. In addition, she has supported the implementation of an Early Reading First program by providing technical assistance and professional development.
- Reading and Literacy: Ms. Theodore works extensively with states and school districts to improve literacy outcomes by providing technical assistance and professional development in scientifically based reading instruction, effective interventions for struggling readers, and the implementation of the Common Core State Standards. She has also assisted states in her region with developing their preK–12 literacy plans.
- Professional Development: Ms. Theodore has presented at various conferences, such as the International Reading Association (IRA) Conference and the National Reading First Conference. In addition to national conferences, she has provided numerous professional development sessions on reading and literacy practices for state education agencies and school districts. Her expertise in designing and conducting professional development has led to increased professional learning opportunities for administrators, reading coaches, and teachers.
Prior to joining SEDL in November 2004, Ms. Theodore worked for the Louisiana Department of Education’s Region I Education Service Center, where she coordinated regional and statewide Reading First professional development activities and provided extensive follow-up through mentoring and coaching. Previously, she worked in the New Orleans Public Schools for 24 years. During her career there, Ms. Theodore served in various roles, including classroom teacher, staff developer, and district reading facilitator. Through her work as a staff developer and a district reading facilitator, she provided professional development, coaching, and mentoring to elementary, middle, and high school teachers. Education
Ms. Theodore holds a BA in learning disabilities, elementary education from Dillard University and an MA in curriculum and instruction from Xavier University of New Orleans, Louisiana.
Professional Development Sessions Presented by Kathleen Theodore
Kathleen Theodore teaches SEDL's professional development session, "What Does It Mean to Teach Reading Explicitly?," and another session, "Adolescent Literacy: How to Access and Comprehend Text."
- Teacher Preparation Programs: Research and Promising Practices: Texas Comprehensive Center Briefing Paper, Number 11 (2012)
- Beyond Adoption—Implementing Rigorous College- and Career-Readiness Standards: Southeast Comprehensive Center Briefing Paper, December 2011 (2011)
- Southeast Comprehensive Center eBulletin, Volume 5, Number 3: Improving School Readiness and Success for Children (2011)
- Southeast Comprehensive Center eBulletin, Volume 5, Number 1: Strengthening Literacy Programs and Instruction (2010)
- Southeast Comprehensive Center eBulletin, Volume 4, Number 2: Adopting Rigorous College- and Career-Ready Standards and High-Quality Assessments (2009)
- Rapid Response: Alignment of University Curricula for Preservice Teachers With Scientifically Based Reading Research (2008)
- Rapid Response: Alternate Reading Core Curriculum for Students with Disabilities (K–3) (2008)
- Rapid Response: Early Childhood Education Curricula and Programs for PreK Students (2008)
- Rapid Response: Multisensory Structured Language Programs for Students With Characteristics of Dyslexia (2008)
- The Journey: Voices from the Field, SEDL Letter, Volume XIV, Number 3 (2002)
