Member Login Cart [ 0 items ]

Meet Our Team

Kay Brewton, M.S.

Kay Brewton is an Educational Consultant with CORE. Kay has a Master of Science degree in reading and language arts K–12 from Florida State University. She also holds endorsements in English as a second language, gifted education, and reading K–12. Kay brings to CORE an extensive and diverse teaching background. She has taught at the primary level and secondary intensive reading classes, served as a primary (K–5) and secondary reading coach (grades 9–12), developed an early reading intervention program to serve the needs of struggling readers, and was a district and state facilitator for a variety of reading issues, strategies, and research.

Kay previously served as a Reading First Professional Developer and helped to train many of Florida’s K–3 teachers during Summer Institutes (2004–2006). She is also a DIBELS state trainer and has assisted schools and trained teachers with implementation of this research-based progress-monitoring assessment program. Kay facilitates online reading endorsement courses for the nationally recognized Beacon Learning Center. Nationally, she has supported districts and school sites with scientifically based reading research (SBRR) workshops and coaching to implement their core reading program with fidelity and within Reading First guidelines.

Garla L. Brown, M.A.

Garla Brown is the Vice President and Chief Academic Officer for CORE. She holds a Master of Arts degree in educational leadership from Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Ms. Brown has 18 years' experience in the public and private sectors of education. She has taught children of all ages, providing core content knowledge as well as supplemental support. She has served in several leadership roles at the school, district, and community levels. Since joining CORE, Ms. Brown has worked closely with districts of differing sizes and demographics as an Educational Consultant and later as a Regional Educational Services Manager. She has trained and provided support to a vast number of district leaders, coaches, and teachers in school districts across the country.

As CORE's Vice President and Chief Academic Officer, Ms. Brown is passionate about the company's mission and is committed to ensuring that CORE continues to be a trusted advisor at all levels of K–12 education, working collaboratively with leaders and educators to support literacy and math achievement for all students.

Kelly Ann Caravelli

Kelly Ann Caravelli is an Educational Consultant with CORE. She holds a master’s degree in reading from National University. Kelly taught grades 1, 4, 5, and 6, and has served as a reading specialist/literacy specialist at the elementary level for Poway Unified School District. She has served on the Literacy Council and RtI Task Force.

Mrs. Caravelli has been working closely with Houghton Mifflin as a consultant on implementing Great Source and Houghton Mifflin with fidelity in several districts in California. Most recently, Mrs. Caravelli is serving as a staff developer for the Poway Unified School District. As a staff developer, Mrs. Caravelli has worked with grade-level teams across the district in disaggregating data to meet the needs of the students. She also works closely with grade-level teams in designing lessons with clear learning outcomes. Her continued interest in learning translates to a deep commitment to the success of each and every child learning to read and write.

Jill Carroll, M.A.

Jill Carroll is a Senior Educational Consultant with CORE. She earned a master’s degree in special education with a concentration in gifted and talented education from California State University, Los Angeles. Ms. Carroll has taught reading and math in each grade K–8 and has instructed students learning English as a second language in settings as varied as an Eskimo village in Alaska, a Sioux reservation in South Dakota, and the Central Valley of California. She has been an instructor for Reading Specialist Credential graduate courses through University of California, Berkeley Extension, and she was a guest instructor for several teacher preparation courses. Ms. Carroll has served in a variety of site, district, county, and state administrative positions, including elementary principal, director of both gifted and special education, curriculum consultant, coordinator of a seven-district consortium for federal and state categorical projects, and district director of general and special education. She has served on two state advisory boards and is co-founder and past president of her local affiliate of the California Reading Association. In addition, Ms. Carroll has provided professional development in differentiated instruction to teachers in scores of districts and is a frequent speaker at seminars and conferences for parents and teachers. She co-authored a preschool literacy development program as well as an academic vocabulary program targeting strategic and intensive readers at the secondary level.

Ms. Carroll’s experience with CORE spans well over a decade, working in urban, suburban, and rural school settings. She has been the lead consultant in a number of school districts. Her experience working with children of diverse ages, languages, and backgrounds translates into a deep commitment to helping every child become successful.

Patty Carroll, M.A.

Patty Carroll is a Senior Educational Consultant with CORE and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in special education in the Joint Doctoral Program at California State University, Los Angeles, and UCLA. She holds a Master of Arts degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and a teaching credential from California State University, Los Angeles. Ms. Carroll has over 10 years of experience teaching K–12, including time spent teaching in Russia and Hungary. She also was a faculty member of the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California as an instructor for the Language Academy.

Ms. Carroll has been with CORE since 2003, specializing in both elementary and secondary district implementation advisement. She has been the lead consultant for implementation of core programs including Houghton Mifflin Reading, Houghton Mifflin Lectura, Holt, and Prentice Hall, as well as reading interventions such as High Point, Edge, REACH, Language!, and READ 180. Ms. Carroll has served as District Implementation Advisor for the San Bernardino City Unified School District and the San Rafael City School District in California, the Yakima School District in Washington, and the Big Horn District Number 1 in Wyoming. Her interest in second-language learners translates to a deep commitment to the success of each and every child learning to read.

Sebastian Cognetta, M.A.

Sebastian Cognetta is an Educational Consultant with CORE. He holds a Master of Arts degree in education from California State University, San Bernardino. Sebastian has taught in elementary and secondary school settings and served as an instructional coach and administrative coach in California schools, facilitating Lesson Study with primary teachers. Prior to joining CORE, Sebastian served as an instructional coach for a professional development provider and contributed to the development of A System for Reading Comprehension. Sebastian’s expertise is in implementing state-adopted instructional materials with fidelity and using data to inform instruction. He has experience in supporting the implementation of effective coaching models in elementary, middle, and high schools.

Sebastian has co-founded two charter schools in southern California. He has experience working in urban, suburban, and rural school settings. Sebastian is fluent in Spanish and uses that knowledge along with the research on English learners to assist educators to provide scaffolds for ELL students. Sebastian is currently pursuing his Ed.D. from the University of Southern California.

Dan Connor, M.Ed.

Dan Connor is an Educational Consultant with CORE. He holds a master's degree in education with a specialty in reading from Sonoma State University. Dan has taught grades 7–12 as a reading specialist and in the curricular areas of English, social studies, and English-language development. He also has served as a reading coach in a direct instruction program, and he has experience implementing professional staff development. He presented a paper on teacher collaboration and research to the Association for Supervision and Curricular Development.

Dan Connor's CORE experience has been in delivering both workshops and technical assistance at the 6–12 site level. He is committed to building capacity for sustainable improvement in reading ability.

Rochelle R. Davisson, B.S.

Rochelle R. Davisson is an Educational Consultant with CORE. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Western Oregon University. Ms. Davisson has taught primary and middle school students; served as a reading coach for elementary, middle, and high school teachers; and served as a reading program trainer for schools across the United States.

Ms. Davisson’s experiences in supporting language arts program implementations have focused on providing teacher support for scientifically validated reading programs and teaching techniques. She has worked in urban, suburban, and rural school settings. Her interest in providing adequate professional support for teachers translates to a deep commitment to the success of each and every child learning to read.

Finée E. Downing, M.A.

Finée E. Downing is a Senior Educational Consultant with CORE. She taught eight and a half years in the public school system in primary and upper elementary grades. While teaching in the public school system, Mrs. Downing worked as a reading service provider for the Department of Human Resources in Huntsville, Alabama. Mrs. Downing has an Educational Specialist degree and a master’s degree in elementary education. She also holds an AA, Administration Supervision and Reading certification. Mrs. Downing has supported and trained reading coaches and teachers with successfully implementing effective reading programs throughout her educational career.

Mrs. Downing's experience with CORE spans five years, working in urban, suburban, and rural school settings. She has been a lead consultant in the following states: Alabama, Louisiana, and South Carolina. Most recently Mrs. Downing has served as District Implementation Advisor and as the Elementary Educational Consultant for the Horry County School District. Her interest in reading translates to a deep commitment to the success of each and every child learning to read and comprehend.

Sharon Feinblatt, M.S.

Sharon Feinblatt is an Educational Consultant with CORE. She holds a Master of Science degree in education from the City University of New York-Queens College with a specialty in reading education. She also holds a continuing education degree in special education from Hofstra University.

Ms. Feinblatt has taught grades K–12, and has served as a literacy specialist, staff developer, curriculum specialist, and reading coach. Ms. Feinblatt has also been responsible for the development and implementation of school and district assessment programs. Her instructional focus plan is implemented in select schools throughout Broward County.

Dena C. Flynn

Dena C. Flynn is an Educational Consultant with CORE. She holds a bachelor's degree in anthropology from Arizona State University. She also holds a Certificate in Elementary Education, K–8. Ms. Flynn has taught grades 6 and 8, serving as a reading specialist at the grade 6 level. She has had two years of training in Literacy First/Reading First reading structure, performed ongoing research on Literacy First/Reading First structure in a grade 6 classroom, and has attended as well as presented at reading workshops. Ms. Flynn has extensive experience with ESL curriculum and students.

Nancy Fritsch, M.S.

Nancy Fritsch a Senior Educational Consultant with CORE. She has worked in the field of education since 1960, 35 of those years in public school classrooms. During that time she taught several grade levels and subjects, worked as a special reading teacher, and developed and taught a core class for at-risk students in grades 7 and 8. Nancy holds a Master of Science degree in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis on children’s literature and reading. She has taught districtwide in-service classes and presented at various conferences, including the CSUH Literature Conference and the CRA conference. Mrs. Fritsch has also served as a Program Quality Review consultant in Alameda County and a trainer/consultant for the REACH program. In addition to her work with CORE, she supervises student teachers for grades K–12 for Chapman University.

Tena E. Fulghum, Ed.S.

Tena E. Fulghum is an Educational Consultant with CORE. She holds an educational specialist degree in curriculum and supervision from Augusta State University. Ms. Fulghum comes to CORE with extensive knowledge in elementary education. She was employed by the Columbia County School System for 10 years, where she served as a reading teacher in grades 3–5 and an Early Intervention Reading Specialist. Ms. Fulghum also served as a Teacher Support Mentor, where she coached and supported new and inexperienced reading teachers. Additionally, Ms. Fulghum provided district-level professional development in reading comprehension, reading in the content areas, differentiation, Response to Intervention, and formative assessment practices. Ms. Fulghum has also worked with a national publishing company to provide reading training nationwide and is well versed in many commercial reading programs, including Open Court, Imagine It!, and Reading Mastery.

Ms. Fulghum’s experience with CORE includes working with rural, urban, and suburban districts. She has presented specific trainings, including the Elementary Reading Academy and Vocabulary Workshop, in several locations including Alaska, Arizona, and South Dakota. Ms. Fulghum has also done site implementation work with the Waukegan School District in Illinois.

Patricia R. Goff, Ed.D.

Patricia R. Goff is a Senior Educational Consultant with CORE. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary/special education from Troy State University, a Master of Education degree in human resource management from Boston University, and Dr. Goff earned an Ed.D. in child and youth studies with a focus on curriculum development and systemic change from Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Goff has taught pre-K–9, served as a school improvement specialist, a peer coach, and recently as the Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning in New York. She also teaches at D’Youville College and Niagara University while consulting for CORE.

Dr. Goff’s experience with CORE spans six years, working to advise districts/schools on reading and language arts. She has actively been involved in literacy walkthroughs in pre-K through 12th grade classrooms, and she considers the walkthrough an important part of initiating change in teaching practices.

Cris Goldy, M.Ed.

Cris Goldy is an Educational Services Manager with CORE. She is responsible for managing large client projects. She holds a Master of Education degree in special education from Central Washington University. Ms. Goldy has taught grades K–12; served as a reading consultant in Washington and Oregon; been a district federal projects director and an ESD program manager in Washington State; coordinated a state grant in Victoria, Australia; provided consultation and program facilitation at the school, district, and state levels; and presented numerous workshops and seminars at district, state, and regional events.

Ms. Goldy’s experience with CORE includes working in urban, suburban, and rural school settings. She is a lead consultant in special education and ESL/ELL workshops and is well versed in several commercial core reading programs, intervention programs, and supplemental materials. Most recently Ms. Goldy is serving as the lead and manager for a large implementation project throughout the state of Alaska, as well as working with both small and large districts throughout the country. Her interest in special needs students translates to a deep commitment to the success of each and every child learning to read.

Lauren Greenberg

Lauren Greenberg is a Senior Adolescent Literacy Specialist with CORE. A magna cum laude graduate of Brown University with a degree in comparative literature, Lauren received her J.D. degree at the University of California, Berkeley, and practiced law for several years prior to teaching English and history at the middle and high school levels for nine years.

As a CORE Educational Consultant since 1998, Lauren has trained hundreds of teachers and administrators in proven literacy techniques to help struggling readers in grades K–12. In addition to continuing with training, site visits, and project management with CORE, Lauren was a contributing writer and developer of CORE’s Fluency Workshop and the Phonics Workshop for Secondary Educators. Lauren has served as District Implementation Advisor for several clients including Pasadena and San Rafael City Schools, both in California.

Corrine M. Grens, M.A.

Corrine M. Grens is an Educational Consultant with CORE. She holds a Master of Arts degree in reading from St. Xavier University in Chicago. Ms. Grens has taught grades K–5 and has also served as a district reading specialist. Her duties included facilitating the implementation of a districtwide reading program, providing direct service to students, and designing and delivering staff development in reading. As an adjunct faculty member at St. Xavier University and at Benedictine University, Ms. Grens has taught graduate-level courses in reading. She is also a national trainer.

In her work with CORE, Ms. Grens has delivered Response to Intervention and Instruction (RtI) trainings, Reading Coach Institutes, and various differentiation and program implementation workshops. She supports schools, focusing on program implementation, vocabulary and comprehension support, and using data to inform instruction, particularly with schools implementing RtI. As a CORE consultant, Ms. Grens has worked with educators in various geographical locations. She is deeply committed to her work and has a strong dedication to ensuring quality education for all children.

Karen Brewin House, Ed.S.

Karen Brewin House is an Educational Consultant with CORE. She holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education/special education from Mankato State University, a master's degree in psychological services from Florida International University, and an educational specialist degree in computer applications from Barry University. Mrs. House holds endorsements in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Gifted Education, and Reading. Throughout her 35-year teaching career she has taught students with learning disabilities as well as gifted students at both the primary and secondary levels. Content areas include reading, language arts, science, and computer applications. In addition to her classroom teaching experience, Mrs. House has served in leadership roles such as Workshop Facilitator for Beginning Teachers and Teachers Seeking Gifted Endorsement and Department Chairperson.

Mrs. House has served as a reading coach in the Miami-Dade County Public School district. In this position, she provided the instructional strategies for reading teachers to assist less proficient students in improving their reading performance. Her experience in curriculum and instruction and increasing student achievement is indicative of her deep commitment to the academic success of every child.

Beverly A. Jagla, M.Ed.

Beverly A. Jagla has been a Senior Educational Consultant with CORE since 2003. She holds a Master of Education degree in special education from Central Washington University and received her Superintendent's Credentials from Seattle Pacific University in 1995. Her teaching experiences include first grade, special education (K–6), gifted and talented (1–6), and over 20 years as an adjunct professor with Central Washington University in its Teacher Education program. She was an elementary principal for 12 years in a K–5 school and an Assistant Superintendent for 11 years, working with curriculum, instruction, and professional development. Bev has also served as an Acting Superintendent.

Bev's experience with CORE has included work in urban, suburban, and rural settings. She has done site implementation work with reading programs in Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, and Washington. She has delivered specific trainings in readinging instruction in California, Colorado, Indiana, Mississippi, Montana, New York, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington. She is totally committed to helping all children develop proficiency in reading and language arts skills.

Elizabeth Kaufman, Ed.D.

Elizabeth Kaufman is an Educational Consultant with CORE. She holds a doctorate in organizational development and leadership from the University of San Francisco and a Master of Science degree in curriculum and instruction from Dominican University. Elizabeth has pre-K–12 administrative experience and has taught at the preschool, elementary, and university levels. She has worked extensively in districts and schools with high percentages of English learners and socioeconomically disadvantaged students. She has consulted at the district, county, and state levels in the areas of systemic literacy reform, Response to Intervention, and strengthening language arts programs for schools and districts identified for Program Improvement under NCLB.

Elizabeth's tenure at CORE spans nearly ten years, first as a CORE client and now as an Educational Consultant. Elizabeth has managed CORE services in California and Idaho, and has presented regional and state department trainings across the country. Her passion is working with schools and districts to develop systems to support and sustain high-quality reading instruction for all children.

Michael Kelly, M.Ed.

Michael Kelly is an Educational Consultant with CORE. He holds a Master of Education degree in educational administration from California State University, Fresno. Mr. Kelly was a language arts/reading teacher in the Turlock Elementary School District in California for 11 years. He also served 19 years in the Atwater School District in California as an elementary and middle school principal and Director of Special Programs and Special Education.

Mr. Kelly’s experience with CORE spans almost two years, working in urban, suburban, and rural school settings. He has served as lead consultant and trainer for Response to Instruction and Intervention (RtI) in South Dakota’s Shannon County School District and in Alaska for the Northwest Arctic Borough School District. In addition, he has served as a trainer for CORE’s National RtI Institute in Chicago. He has conducted reading workshops for CORE throughout the country. His interest in special education, early and adolescent literacy, executive coaching, and strong reading program implementation translates to a deep commitment to the success of each and every child learning to read.

Back to top