Doctor of Philosophy in Reading Education | Texas Women's University (2018)

Master of Science in Literacy & Language | Purdue University (2000)

Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education | Texas Tech University (1990)

Areas of Expertise:

• Early literacy acquisition
• Writing development & instruction
• Teacher professional development

Years of PK-12 Experience: 20 years

Dr. Katrena Leininger has twenty-five years-experience in Literacy Education. Her experience includes work in elementary and bilingual education, early literacy intervention, and literacy coaching, as well as literacy teacher education at K-12, undergraduate and graduate levels. Katrena has been trained in Reading Recovery and worked as a Reading Recovery Teacher Leader at Purdue University.

Katrena’s research interests include early literacy acquisition, writing development and instruction, and teacher learning. Her research supports the idea that teachers shift their understanding of writing development and writing instruction practice through embedded, collaborative and reflective professional development.