Karen R. Pierre-Charles Byrd
Hyde Park
Summary
Dynamic and equity-driven NYC DOE leader with 20+ years of experience in instructional leadership, school operations, data-driven improvement, and educator development. Proven ability to strengthen teaching practice, lead MTSS systems, coordinate schoolwide operations, and support leadership teams in advancing equity-focused school improvement. Recognized for building inclusive school cultures, improving instructional quality, and ensuring effective daily school functioning.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Co-Principal Investigator / STEM Education Consultant (Birds and Bots Project)
TEACHERS COLLEGE, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
New York, NY
01.2024 - Current
- Lead research-based implementation of equitable STEM and robotics instruction in underserved school communities.
- Facilitate educator training in culturally responsive STEM pedagogy and inquiry-based learning.
- Expand student access to high-quality STEM learning pathways and career readiness opportunities.
Instructional & Operations Lead
THE DAWN BEST SCHOOL – P.S. 59
Brooklyn, NY
08.2021 - Current
- Lead schoolwide instructional coaching cycles, professional development, and PLCs for educators, resulting in an increase in standards alignment.
- Serve as a key member of the leadership team supporting curriculum alignment, equity initiatives, and instructional systems development.
- Use student achievement data to strengthen MTSS structures and interventions, improving K–5 proficiency rates in ELA.
- Conduct classroom walkthroughs and provide actionable feedback to improve instructional practice and student engagement.
- Lead daily school operations including morning arrival procedures and classroom coverage coordination to ensure safe, organized, and uninterrupted instruction.
- Direct NYS testing operations for Grades 3–5, including logistics, compliance, staff training, and schoolwide implementation.
- Strengthen family engagement systems through communication structures and collaborative student support planning.
Elementary School Teacher | Grade Leader | Mentor Teacher
NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION- P.S. 59
09.2006 - 07.2021
- Served as grade leader, mentor teacher, and equity team member supporting instructional consistency across grade teams.
- Designed and implemented rigorous, culturally responsive curriculum resulting in increased student engagement and academic growth.
- Led restorative practices and classroom culture systems that strengthened belonging, behavior, and academic focus.
- Supported new teacher development through coaching, modeling, and collaborative planning cycles.
- Partnered with school leadership on instructional initiatives, family engagement, and schoolwide improvement efforts.
Education
School Building Leader (SBL) & School District Leader (SDL) -
The College of Saint Rose
M.A. Curriculum & Teaching - undefined
Columbia University Teachers College
B.S. Elementary Education - undefined
Florida International University
Skills
- Team leadership
- Innovative thinking
- Training and mentoring experience
- Research design expertise
- Grant writing proficiency
- Operational efficiency
- Workforce management
- People management proficiency
- Project management
- Staff supervision
Accomplishments
Big Apple Award for Teaching Excellence • Brooklyn Exceptional Teacher Citation Award • Bessie B. Burke Image Award • U.S. DOE Teacher-to-Teacher Award
Honors & Leadership
New Leaders Fellowship, D14 Teacher Leader Institute of Sustainable Change, Big Apple Award Recipient for Teaching Excellence, Brooklyn Exceptional Teacher Citation Award, Bessie B. Burke Image Award, U.S. DOE Teacher-to-Teacher Award, NYC Chancellor’s Teacher Advisory Council, Brooklyn North Transformational Leadership Collaborative, Big Apple Awards Board of Judges
Certification
- New York State Certifications: SBL
- New York State Certifications: SDL
- Permanent Teaching License (Common Branches)
Timeline
Co-Principal Investigator / STEM Education Consultant (Birds and Bots Project)
TEACHERS COLLEGE, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
01.2024 - Current
Instructional & Operations Lead
THE DAWN BEST SCHOOL – P.S. 59
08.2021 - Current
Elementary School Teacher | Grade Leader | Mentor Teacher
NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION- P.S. 59
09.2006 - 07.2021
M.A. Curriculum & Teaching - undefined
Columbia University Teachers College
B.S. Elementary Education - undefined
Florida International University
School Building Leader (SBL) & School District Leader (SDL) -
The College of Saint Rose