Kirsten Taylor is a first grade literacy and social studies teacher at Seaton Elementary School, a D.C. Public School. She teaches two cohorts of first grade students in a departmentalized setting. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from The Catholic University of America. Kirsten’s passion for early literacy development and the Science of Reading motivates her to seek out leadership, professional development, and certification opportunities. She serves as a Curriculum Institute Fellow for D.C. Public Schools, developing curriculum resources to support young readers and writers. She is also certified in LETRS Vol. 1 (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling), where she learned effective, research-aligned strategies to support young readers and mentor new teachers. Kirsten loves to share and model her evidence-based literacy practices with other educators and learn more to improve her practice. When she is not teaching, Kirsten loves to read, go on long runs, and spend time with her family.