Pittsburgh, PA
B.S. Early Childhood Education
M. Ed. in School Leadership
Professional Development Coordinator, BirdBrain Technologies
Katie Henry is a K-12 educational technology coach, licensed both as a K-9 principal and K-5 teacher, with six years of teaching experience.
This fall, she begins a position as the professional development coordinator for BirdBrain Technologies, traveling around the world to lead workshops for students, teachers and school communities.
In 2015, she won four Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) teaching awards, including the Outstanding Technology-Using Teacher of the Year Award (ITIP Ohio), ISTE Making IT Happen Award, Dayton Regional Metro Parks OUTstanding Teacher Award and the Dayton Regional STEM Center’s STEM Education School-based Collaboration Award. Katie has helped to develop and lead after-school STEM nights in Brookville, attracting over 500 students.
In the last few years, Katie led teams to win more than $10,000 in grants to pursue innovative STEM opportunities in her district. She is passionate about developing innovative, interdisciplinary and holistic STEAM curricula.
Hometown: Middletown
Twitter Handle: @KatieHenry356
Favorite place to eat uptown? Kona Bistro
In which student organizations were you involved? None. Through my entire undergrad, I worked full-time as an activity coordinator at a retirement village. I created mutually beneficial opportunities for the elders at the retirement village and children. I worked with Miami professors to research, present at conferences and win grants. I also wrote children's book reviews for LMC Magazine and facilitated technology sessions for Miami education majors.
Favorite place to study? King Library
What Miami moment most influenced or continues to influence your life today and how/why? Dr. Sheri Leafgren once told me, "It's the people who see a problem that should help to solve it." That specific thought has returned to me countless times since I have graduated from Miami. I consider the ability to see a problem as an invitation to help solve it––not run away from it.
Favorite quote? "Mindset matters more than material."
Memorable Miami concert, guest lecturer, etc? LeAlan Jones, journalist, who ran for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama, "This is the only thing I can do to have peace of mind. I am looking at a community that is suffering because of a lack of genuine concern from their leaders… This isn’t about who gets to stand behind the political elite at a press conference. This is about who is going to stand behind the people. What these leaders talk about and what needs to happen in the community is disjointed." LeAlan's book, "Life and Death on the South Side of Chicago" was required reading in my ENG 111 class. It changed my life.
One thing you’d change about your college experience? I wish that I could have studied abroad as an undergraduate student.
What advice would you give to the class of 2020 (incoming first year students)? Think Different.
Twitter: @KatieHenryLearn