Dr. Kristi Baker Patterson is an experienced educator whose career has focused on improving academic and behavioral outcomes for all students, especially those from vulnerable populations. Kristi earned her Ph.D. in Education from Southern Methodist University and her research has focus on literacy development and academic and behavioral interventions that address the over-classification of minority students in special education. Prior to pursuing her doctorate, Kristi was the special education coordinator for an urban charter district in Dallas, Texas. In this role, she coached teachers and worked to implement systems around special education, Section 504, and Response to Intervention (RTI) to ensure all schools within the district had the resources needed to serve their growing population of students with disabilities. Throughout her career, she has taught a broad spectrum of students, ranging from elementary through high school and coming from a variety of backgrounds. It’s clear to all who work with Kristi that she’s passionate about ensuring ALL students have access to instruction that will allow them to build essential foundational literacy skills.