Educators are learners.
I help teachers take the next steps in their professional journey—turning goals into real growth.
About Kara Pranikoff
From my earliest days in the classroom I saw the positive impact of professional development that engaged my mind and gave me practical next steps to implement immediately. I continually search out mentors who will stretch me.
My decades of time in schools gave me a foundation that allows me to design learning experiences for teachers that engage their intellect, respond to the specific needs of their classroom, develop community, and build their practice. I draw on my varied experience as a classroom teacher, reading interventionist, Instructional Coach, curriculum designer, and an adjunct instructor at Bank Street College of Education to meet the unique needs of the teachers and administrators with whom I partner.
A teacher at heart, I create professional development sessions that captivate, are grounded in real-world application, and deliver the lasting impact you seek.
Work Experience
Collaborated to design a social studies curriculum that emphasizes interactive, hands-on learning.
Developed an inquiry-driven curriculum integrating reading, writing, and social studies for grades K-5.
Guided a school wide instructional goal of increasing independent student discourse
Lead classroom coaching cycles aimed at deepening instructional practices.
Worked with school leadership, PTA, and staff to ensure the school’s mission and vision are fully integrated.
Facilitated parent groups that promote engaging and meaningful conversations with children.
Principal Ally: Cahn Distinguished Principal’s Fellowship with Dana Rappaport, Principal PS 234
Statewide PD implementation: Investigating History Grade 3 & 4 Pilot Program (with Lindsay Lyons & Eric Soto-Shed), Massachusetts
Harvard Webinar: Teaching Students to Listen and Talk Across Differences Education Now
NCTE Presenter: Leveraging Student-to-Student Talk in the Classroom National Council of Teachers of English
Professional Experience
SXSWEdu Presenter: Classrooms that Center Student Thinking & Voice to Make Change Presenter at SXSWEdu
NCSS Presenter: Starting Young: Inquiry-Based Social Studies in Elementary School
Keynote Speaker: 24th Annual Elementary Literacy, Region 16 ESC / Amarillo, TX
10+ years designing and facilitating PD
20+ years teaching in NYC schools
Kudos
Kara, you are a huge reason I have felt confident to share my voice and make changes in my teaching and overall attitude at my job. This will be my 10th year teaching, and I feel like I finally have the power to make changes…baby steps of course!
Third Grade Teacher
New York City
