Karen Thomas Brown
4094 JFSB | 801-422-8170 | [email protected]
EDUCATION
M.Ed. Brigham Young University, Educational Leadership & Foundations Graduated April 2012, 4.0 GPA
B.S. Utah State University (English/Math), 1979-1983 Graduated Magna Cum Laude, 3.89 GPA
Endorsements ESL (Brigham Young University) Reading (Brigham Young University) Math Level 3 (Utah State University)
PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
2017-20 Assistant Professor of English Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah Deborah Dean, Supervisor
2014-17 Principal Provo High School, Provo, Utah Keith Rittel, Supervisor
2011-14 Assistant Principal Provo High School, Provo, Utah Jeff Schoonover, Supervisor
2004-11 District Literacy Specialist Provo School District, Provo, Utah Ray Morgan, Supervisor
2009 Teacher, CLSS 1170 (Advanced Critical Thinking and Reading) Utah Valley University, Orem, Utah Elaine Peterson, Supervisor
2004-08 Teacher (Reading and American Literature) Provo High School, Provo, Utah Sam Ray, Supervisor
2006 Teacher, English 378 (Teaching Reading) Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah Joyce Nelson, Supervisor
2001-04 English Teacher (English 11 Honors and Reading) Provo High School, Provo, Utah Sam Jarman, Supervisor
2004 Teacher, English 377 (English Teaching Methods) Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah Joyce Nelson, Supervisor
1990-01 English Teacher (English 11 Honors and English 12) Provo High School, Provo, Utah Patti Harrington, Joe Matthews, Supervisors
1995-98 English Education Teacher and Student Teacher Supervisor English Education Substitute Teacher (English 377 and 378) Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah Joyce Nelson, Supervisor
1991-92 Algebra Teacher Provo High School, Provo, Utah Mel Twitchell, Supervisor
1983-90 English Teacher (English 9,10 Honors, 11 and Creative Writing), Provo High School, Provo, Utah Ronald Last, Supervisor
1980-82 Writing Lab Instructor, Utah State University, Logan, Utah Joyce Kincaid, Supervisor
CONFERENCE AND WORKSHOP PRESENTATIONS
Facilitator, New Teacher Panel, UCTE Annual Conference, Virtual, November 13, 2020.
Presenter, “Writing Your Way Into Reading,” UCTE Annual Conference, Sandy, Utah, November 8, 2019.
Facilitator, “The Future is Now: Exploring 21st Century Teaching Ideas with the Next Generation of English Teachers,” NCTE National Convention, Baltimore, Maryland, November 22, 2019.
Facilitator, “The Future is Now: Exploring 21st Century Teaching Ideas with the Next Generation of English Teachers,” NCTE National Convention, Houston, Texas, November 18, 2018.
Presenter, “High Impact Strategies for Secondary Classrooms,” Provo School District PD, Provo, Utah, September 2017-May 2019.
Facilitator, “Teaching a Growth Mindset,” Provo School District PD, Provo, Utah, September 2016-May 2017.
Presenter, “Hanging in There: Promoting Student Resiliency in Writing and Reading Spaces,” NCTE National Convention, Atlanta, Georgia, November 20, 2016.
Presenter, “Simultaneous Teaching: Struggling Readers and Pre-Service Teachers Working in a Common Classroom,” NCTE National Convention, Minneapolis, Minnesota, November 20, 2015.
Presenter, “Roping in Reluctant Readers,” Family Literacy Symposium, Provo, Utah, January 22, 2011.
Presenter, “Teachers are from Mars, Students are from Venus: Fostering Literacy Learning Through Relationships in the Secondary Classroom,” NCTE National Convention, Orlando, Florida, November 19, 2010.
Presenter, Second Language Acquisition & Second Language Literacy for TELL Facilitators, Provo, Utah, June 16-17, 2010.
Facilitator, CITES Associates, “The Moral Dimensions of Teaching,” 2005-2011.
Presenter, “TELL Literacy” (Teaching English Language Learners), New Teacher Training, Provo, Utah, 2004-2011.
Certified Trainer, STAR (Student Tutoring Achievement for Reading), Utah State Office of Education, 2005-2009.
Presenter, “Inspiring All Readers (and Capturing the Reluctant Ones, Too)!” Forum on Children’s Literature, Utah Valley University, March 20, 2008.
Presenter, “Great Books and How to Use Them with Students,” Paraeducator Conference, Provo, Utah, March 6, 2007.
Presenter, “Environment for Learning and Teaching to the Core,” EYE 2, Provo, Utah, October 19, 2006.
Presenter, “Comprehending Difficult Texts,” CITES Secondary Literacy Conference, Willowcreek Middle School, June 22-23, 2006.
Presenter, “Deeper Reading,” BYU ARC Grant & Literacy Specialists, Provo, Utah, March, 2006.
Presenter, “Using Books to Teach Writing,” Provo School District Paraprofessional Conference, BYU, January 12, 2006.
Presenter, “Teaching Struggling Readers,” Nebo School District Secondary Reading Specialists, Springville, Utah, March 7, 2005.
Presenter, “No Child Left Behind in Reading,” GEAR UP National Leadership Summit, Washington, D.C., July 25-28, 2004.
Presenter, “Moving in the ‘Write’ Direction: Making Connections Between Reading and Writing,” Forum on Children and Literature, Utah Valley State College, Provo, Utah, March 19, 2004.
Presenter, “Lesson Planning and Design,” Student-Teaching Seminar, Brigham Young University, January 26, 2004.
Presenter, “We All ‘Don’t Get It’ Some of the Time: Helping Struggling Readers Comprehend Their Texts,” Provo School District Standards Conference, Provo, Utah, August 15, 2003.
Presenter, “No Child Left Behind in Reading,” GEAR UP National Leadership Summit, Washington, D.C., July 23, 2003.
Presenter, “Read-alouds in the Secondary Language Arts Classroom: A Killer of Time or an Engaging Teaching Strategy,” Forum on Children and Literature, UVSC, March 21, 2003.
Presenter, “Literacy in the Secondary Classroom,” Utah Association of Secondary School Principals Conference, St. George, Utah, February 4, 2003.
Presenter, “Teaching Reading and Writing in the Content Areas,” Provo High School Faculty, August-March, 2002-3.
Presenter, “Six Traits Writing Instruction,” Utah Writing Project, Provo, Utah, June, 2002.
Presenter, “Read-Alouds in the Secondary Language Arts Classroom,” West Coast Literacy Conference, Palm Springs, California, May, 2002.
Presenter, “You Don’t Have to Give Up the Literature You Love to Teach the Core,” Utah Council of Teachers of English Annual Convention, Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, Utah, October 13, 2001.
Presenter, “Teaching Six Traits Writing–Ideas,” Provo School District, Provo, Utah, September, 2001.
Presenter, “Six Traits of Writing: Ideas, Word Choice, and Voice,” Third Annual Conference on Standards and Benchmarks, Provo School District, Provo, Utah, August 15-16, 2001.
Presenter, “Literature, Language Arts, and Core Planning,” UCIRA Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, March 2-3, 2001.
Presenter, “How to Plan Using the State Core Document,” Second Annual Conference on Standards and Benchmarks, Provo School District, Provo, Utah, August 17-18, 2000.
Presenter, “Into, Through, and Beyond Reading,” 18th World Congress on Reading, sponsored by the International Reading Association, Auckland, New Zealand, July 2000.
Presenter, “Connecting Literature and the Core,” State Office of Education Summer Workshops, The Great Gatsby, Price, Utah, June 5-6, 2000.
Presenter, “Connecting Literature and the Core,” State Office of Education Summer Workshops, Hamlet, Payson, Utah, June 22-23, 2000.
Presenter, “Writing Across the Curriculum,” Provo School District Inservice, March, 2000.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT/WORKSHPS/CONFERENCES
NCTE National Convention, Virtual, November 19-22, 2020.
ALAN (Assembly on Literature for Adolescents) Conference, Virtual, November 23-24, 2020.
NCTE National Convention, Baltimore, Maryland, November 15-18, 2019.
NCTE National Convention, Houston, Texas, November 16-20, 2018.
NCTE National Convention, Atlanta, Georgia, November 17-21, 2016.
NCTE National Convention, Minneapolis, Minnesota, November 17-21, 2015.
NCTE National Convention/NWP National Convention, Boston, Massachusetts, November 17- 21, 2013.
NCTE National Convention/NWP National Convention, Orlando, Florida, November 17-21, 2010.
TELL Assessment and Content Literacy Training of Trainers, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, June 18-19, 2010.
National Writing Project New Site Leadership Institute, Scottsdale, Arizona, January 15-18, 2010.
TELL Literacy and Language Acquisition, Provo School District, November-February, 2010
“What’s New in Children’s Literature,” Bureau of Education and Research, Salt Lake City, January 20, 2010.
English/Language Arts Pilot Data Review, USOE, Salt Lake City, December 11, 2009.
“Reach All Learners,” Apple IT Conference, Salt Lake City, December 1, 2009.
National Writing Project National Convention, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 18-21, 2009.
CUWP (Central Utah Writing Project) Saturday Workshop Series, Tom Romano, Provo, Utah, October 24, 2009.
UCTE (Utah Council of Teachers of English) Conference, Provo, Utah, October 23, 2009.
TELL Foundations, Provo School District, September-November, 2009.
ASCD National Convention, Orlando, Florida, March 13-17, 2009.
CITES Literacy Associates, August 2006-May 2008.
NCTE National Convention/ALAN Conference, San Antonio, Texas, November 23-25, 2008.
TELL Literacy and Language Acquisition Training of Trainers, Brigham Young University, June 11-12, 2008.
TELL Home, School, and Community Connections ESL Endorsement Course, Provo, Utah, June 2-5, 2008.
“What’s New in Young Adult Literature,” Bureau of Education and Research, Salt Lake City, April 24, 2008.
“The Literacy Promise,” Salt Lake City, Utah, March 5-7, 2008.
Adolescent Literacy Conference, November 29, 2007.
ALAN National Convention, New York, New York, November 19-20, 2007. NCTE National Convention, New York, New York, November 15-18, 2007.
Utah Education Policy Forum, Salt Lake City, November 12, 2007.
“Growing the Future: Meeting the National Challenge to Recruit, Develop and Retain New Teachers,” Boston, Massachusetts, March 25-27, 2007.
“Instructional Leadership in the 21st Century,” CITES Biannual Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, March 7-9, 2007.
“Out of the Box: Addressing the Needs of Struggling Readers,” Annual Conference of the Utah Branch of the International Dyslexia Association, Salt Lake City, March 2, 2007.
“What’s New in Children’s Literature,” Bureau of Education and Research, Salt Lake City, Utah, February 22, 2007.
“Writing and Effective Classroom Instruction,” Dr. Steve Graham, Vanderbilt University, Peabody College of Education, Salt Lake City, Utah, February 15, 2007.
New Teacher Symposium, San Jose, California, February 4-6, 2007.
“What’s New in Children’s Literature?” Bureau of Education and Research, Sandy, Utah, January 30, 2006.
NCTE Convention, Nashville, Tennessee, November 16-19, 2006.
“Reading Strategies That Work,” UASCD Conference, Provo, Utah, October 4-5, 2006.
DWA Writing Prompts Pilot Stat Review, USOE, Salt Lake City, Utah, September 15, 2006.
“Research-Based Literacy Instruction, Grades 4-8,” USOE, Salt Lake City, Utah, June 27-29, 2006.
STAR Training (Student Tutoring Achievement in Reading), Training of Trainers, USOE, Salt Lake City, Utah, August 12, 2005.
Utah Writing Project Workshop, Provo, Utah, August 1-August 5, 2005.
Secondary Literacy Institute directed by Jeff Wilhelm, Park City, Utah, June 27-July 1, 2005.
“Tiered Instruction: Making a Difference for All Readers,” USOE, Provo, Utah, June 20-22, 2005.
Literacy Across the Content, Secondary Literacy Conference, Elk Ridge Middle School, Jordan School District, June 16-17, 2005.
Reading First Literacy Leadership Institute, “Focus on Comprehension,” Salt Lake City, Utah, June 15-16, 2005. West Coast Literacy Conference, San Diego, California, May12-14, 2005.
Utah State Office of Education Literacy Coaches’ Training, Salt Lake City, Utah, January 27, March 1, April 5, April 28, 2005.
“The Moral Dimensions of Teaching,” CITES Associates Group, Park City, Utah, September 23- 23, 2004, November 11-12, 2004, January 20-21, 2005, March 3-4, 2005, May 5-6, 2005.
CITES Associates Retreat, Park City, Utah, May 19-20, 2005.
“What’s New in Young Adult Literature?” Bureau of Education and Research, Salt Lake City, Utah, April 29, 2005.
“Developing Strategic Reading Grades 4-12,” Dr. Donna M. Ogle, Utah State Literacy Meeting, Salt Lake City, Utah, April 12, 2005.
International Dyslexia Association Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, March 18, 2005.
“What’s New in Children’s Literature and how to use it in Your Program,” Bureau of Education and Research, Salt Lake City, Utah, January 31, 2005.
Governor Olene Walker’s Literacy Summit, Salt Lake City, Utah, November 16, 2004.
“Reading Fluency,” Dr. Ray Reutzel, Utah State Literacy Meeting, November 5, 2004.
“Spelling for All,” Dr. Brenda Sabey, Utah State Literacy Meeting, September 10, 2004.
Forum on Children and Literature, Utah Valley State College, Orem, Utah, March 19, 2004.
Provo School District Standards Conference, Provo, Utah, August 15, 2003.
GEAR UP National Leadership Summit, Washington, D.C., July 20-23, 2003.
“The Best New Young Adult Literature,” Bureau of Education and Research Workshop, Salt Lake City, February 13, 2003.
“Teaching Struggling Readers,” Jeff Wilhelm, sponsored by BYU/CITES and Jordan School District, January 10, 2003.
“Bringing Struggling Readers up to Grade Level,” Jeff McQuillan, Center for Educational Development, Salt Lake City, Utah, December 12, 2002.
“Secondary Literacy Conference,” Sponsored by BYU/CITES, Orem, Utah, June, 2002.
West Coast Literacy Conference, Palm Springs, California, May, 2003.
“Teaching Reading as a Thinking Process: Improving Comprehension,” CELL Training, Mary Ellen Vogt, California State University, April 12. 2002. “Six Traits Writing,” Utah State Office of Education, Salt Lake City, Utah, March, 2002.
“Six Traits Writing,” Utah State Office of Education, Salt Lake City, Utah, January 26, 2002.
Second Chance at Literacy Training, Ontario, California, January 13-16, March 3-8, May 9-12, 2002.
“The Best New Young Adult Books,” Bureau of Education and Research Workshop presented by Deborah Hipes, Salt Lake City, Utah, December 18, 2001.
“Six Traits Writing,” presented by Vicki Spandel, Springville, Utah, December 5, 2001.
Second Chance at Literacy Training, Union City, California, November 11-16, 2001.
Second Chance at Literacy Training, Ontario, California, September 9-14, 2001.
Third Annual Conference on Standards and Benchmarks, Provo School District, Provo, Utah, August 15-16, 2001.
Second Annual Conference on Standards and Assessment, Provo School District, Provo, Utah, August 17-18, 2000.
18th World Congress on Reading, sponsored by the International Reading Association, Auckland, New Zealand, July 6-17, 2000.
“Preparing to teach the English Core Curriculum,” State Office of Education, May 6, 2000.
“Writing in the Content Area,” Provo School District Inservice, Provo High School, March 28, 2000.
Advanced Placement Workshop for English, Bonneville High School, January 22, 2000.
“Strategies for Reading Informational Text,” Provo School District Inservice, Timpview High School, January 21, 2000.
“Reading for Renewal,” Provo High School Professional Development, Sept., 1998-May 2001.
COMMITTEES/CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
English Department Diversity and Belonging Committee, BYU, 2020-2021
English Department Scholarship Committee, BYU, 2019-2021
Literacy and Mathematics Curriculum Committees, Provo School District, 2010-2017
PESP (Provo Education Support Professionals) Evaluation Committee, Provo School District, 2012-2016
Co-chair, ProvoREADS! Community Literacy Initiative, 2007-2011
Co-chair, Provo City Children’s Book Festival, Provo, Utah, 2008-2011
Board Member, Project Read, Provo, Utah, 2008-2011
Member, The Literacy Promise Conference Planning Committee, BYU/CITES, 2009-2010
Utah Delegate, Southwest Comprehensive Center Regional Advisory Board, 2006-2008
NCTE Opinion Panel Member, National Council of Teachers of English, 2006-2008
Member, Secondary Literacy Steering Committee, Brigham Young University, 2002-2008
Member, Elementary Literacy Steering Committee, Brigham Young University, 2004-2008
“Chief Worrier,” CITES Secondary Literacy Conference, June 14-15, 2007
Member, Secondary Literacy Conference Planning Committee, Provo/Alpine/Nebo/Jordan/Wasatch School Districts, August 2000-June 2008
Member, Elementary Literacy Conference Planning Committee, Provo/Alpine/Nebo/Jordan/Wasatch School Districts, August 2004-2007
Member, Content Literacy Study Group, Brigham Young University, 2005-2006
Member, Secondary Education Partnership Advisory Council (SEPAC), Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, 2004-2006
Member, “Pennies for Pages,” Fundraising Committee, Provo, Utah, 2004-2006
School Liaison, National Network for Educational Renewal, Arthur Vining Davis Foundation, Provo High School, 1998-99
“Chief Worrier,” Utah State Office of Education Goals 2000 Grant and Action Research Team, Provo High School, 1998-00
LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
President, Utah Council of Teachers of English, 2017-2021
Board Member, Utah Council of Teachers of English, 2016-2017
District Literacy Specialist, Provo School District, Provo, Utah, 2004-2011
Associate Director, Central Utah Writing Project, 2008-2014
Board Chair, Project Read, Provo, Utah, 2010-2011
Utah State Representative, ALAN (Assembly on Literature for Adolescents), 2005-2011
Co-director, Jeff Wilhelm Secondary Literacy Institute, Park City, 2002-2011
Director, ProvoREADS Literacy Initiative, Provo School District and Provo City, 2007-2011
Literacy Coordinator, Provo High School, Provo, Utah, 2001-2004
English Department Chair, Provo High School, Provo, Utah, 2000-2004
SUPERVISORY/MENTORING POSITIONS
Student Teacher/Intern Supervisor, Brigham Young University, 2017-2021
Teacher Supervisor/Evaluator (English, math, fine arts teachers), Provo High School, 2010-2017
New Teacher Mentor (over 25-50 new teachers per year), Provo School District, 2004-2011
Literacy Coordinator/Specialist (supervising 19 school Literacy Coaches), Provo School District, 2004-2011
Literacy Coach (coaching and mentoring 75 faculty members), Provo High School, 2001-2004
AWARDS AND HONORS
Outstanding Teacher Educator, BYU McKay School of Education, 2012
Graduate School Writing/Research Assistantship, Brigham Young University/CITES, 2010-2012
Department Scholarship, Brigham Young University, Department of Educational Leadership and Foundations, Fall, 2010
National Honor Society Most-Influential-Teacher Award, Provo High School, 2003
Provo High School Teacher-of-the-Year, 2003
Nominee, Disney’s American Teacher Awards, 2002
KSL Radio and Strategic Staffing Teacher Feature Award, May 2001
Provo City PTA Golden Apple Award, 1990 and 1999
Selected as one of two teachers from the state of Utah to attend the National Teachers’ Forum in Washington, D.C., 1998
Runner-up to Utah State Teacher-of-the-Year, 1997
Provo High School Teacher-of-the-Year, 1997
Provo City School District Teacher-of-the-Year, 1997
Listed in Who’s Who Among American High School Teachers, 1992-99, 2004
Provo High School PTA Distinguished Teaching Award, 1993
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)
Utah Association of Secondary School Principals (UASSP)
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)
National Council of Teachers of English
Utah Council of Teachers of English
International Reading Association
Assembly on Literature for Adolescents (ALAN)