What We Are Learning

We pride ourselves on our hands-on approach. We’re on the ground, immersing ourselves in the public education sector, surrounding ourselves with the people we can learn the most from: educators at all levels, as well as non-profit leaders who are finding success with their own organizations. While we don’t have all the answers, we’re committed to a process of constant learning, growth and improvement.

In our Worth Reading section, we invite you to peruse articles and resources we find relevant and thought provoking. Then, in Educator Express, enjoy quick downloads from some of our communities’ most notable trailblazers in public education. Check back often to see what we’re learning next.

LaTanya Pattillo

Teacher Advisor to the Governor, Office of Governor Roy Cooper

LaTanya Pattillo joined The Office of Governor Roy Cooper in 2017 from Columbus County Schools, where she was awarded Teacher of the Year. Her primary role is to serve as the voice of the practitioner in the Office of the Governor and inform the Governor’s policies and priorities. LaTanya has been able to impact education policy at a local, state, and national level. She graduated from American University and is a Kenan Fellow at NC State University.

Read More

Sonya Castellino

Deputy Director, Read Charlotte

Sonya Castellino joined Read Charlotte as Deputy Director in July 2018. She has worked as an educator in New York City, Eastern North Carolina, and in Charlotte. She has served a variety of roles, from classroom teacher to Resident Principal, since 2002. She’s coached teachers to improve instructional practices in grades K-12, with subjects ranging from Music to Chemistry. Most recently, she was a Curriculum Coordinator for Project L.I.F.T.

Read More

Brian Kingsley

Chief Academic Officer, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

Brian Kingsley was appointed Chief Academic Officer for CMS in August 2018. Brian had previously been the assistant superintendent of academics at Wake County Public School System.

Read More

Dr. Tisha Greene

Assistant Dean, Office of School and Community Partnerships, UNC Charlotte Cato College of Education

Tisha Greene is the Assistant Dean for School and Community Partnerships in the Cato College at UNC Charlotte. Tisha is a two-time graduate of UNC Charlotte, having received both a BA and MA in English and English Education in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and is a North Carolina Teaching Fellows alumna.

Read More

Dr. Cassandra Herring

President & Chief Executive Officer, Founder, Branch Alliance for Educator Diversity, Inc.

Dr. Herring’s passion about equity-driven education reform fuels her work. Her career spans all levels of education, with professional experiences in Head Start thru higher education and leading state education policy. She currently works as President, CEO & Founder of BranchED.

Read More

The Power of Place

The Power of Place: Assessing Whether Novice Teachers Benefit from Similarities in In-Service and Student Teaching Schools
July 2018
Authored by: Kevin Bastian and Kristina Patterson

Read More