Katie Morton Najarro
Rockwall,US
Summary
Instructional leader with experience in curriculum design, teacher coaching, and cross-campus collaboration. Currently serve as a Humanities Department Head and English I Curriculum Writing Lead, developing aligned instructional materials and supporting data-driven practices across teams. Committed to supporting teachers through clear communication, practical resources, and meaningful professional learning.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
English I Teacher & Humanities Department Head
Rockwall High School Ninth Grade Center
Rockwall, TX
08.2021 - Current
- Designed and delivered professional development for district professional development days, with a focus on instructional design and data-driven practices
- Developed, implemented, and managed aligned English I curriculum, including unit plans, assessments, and instructional resources to meet district and campus needs
- Serve as a BEST mentor, supporting new teachers in classroom management, instructional planning, and curriculum implementation
- Led peer observations, fostering a culture of reflective practice among teaching staff
- Led cross-curricular collaboration between English and Social Studies departments to align TEKS and develop integrated units, strengthening student understanding of shared concepts such as collectivism through texts like Anthem
- Teach Honors and co-teach English I courses, differentiating instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners
- Serve as Yearbook Advisor, overseeing student staff, publication timelines, sales, and production of the annual campus yearbook
Teacher & Coach
L.V. Berkner STEM Academy
Richardson, TX
08.2018 - 08.2021
- Cultivated a positive, structured classroom environment that increased student engagement and fostered a lasting appreciation for reading and writing
- Coached UIL Junior Varsity Volleyball and Basketball teams, developing student leadership, teamwork, and accountability on and off the court
- Embedded social-emotional learning (SEL) strategies into daily instruction, supporting student well-being while maintaining rigorous, standards-aligned learning
- Collaborated in ARD/IEP meetings with families and multidisciplinary teams to ensure effective accommodations and support for diverse learners
- Leveraged technology and web-based platforms to enhance student research skills, engagement, and digital literacy
- Partnered with administrators and department teams to design curriculum and assessments aligned to instructional goals and state standards
- Designed and implemented differentiated instruction to meet diverse learning needs, ensuring access to rigorous content for all students
Junior Writer, The Denver Post
Media News Group
Denver, CO
02.2016 - 07.2018
- Produced written content under editorial deadlines, strengthening skills in research, revision, and audience-focused writing
- Collaborated with editors to refine voice, clarity, and accuracy in published work
- Applied real-world writing practices that inform current instruction in literacy and composition
Education
Bachelor of Arts - English
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX01-2017
Skills
- Curriculum Design & Alignment (TEKS)
- Assessment Development
- Instructional Design
- Differentiated Instruction
- Professional Development Facilitation
- Instructional Leadership
- Team management
Certification
- English Language Arts and Reading Grades (7-12)
- English as a Second Language Supplemental Grades (7-12)
Timeline
English I Teacher & Humanities Department Head
Rockwall High School Ninth Grade Center
08.2021 - Current
Teacher & Coach
L.V. Berkner STEM Academy
08.2018 - 08.2021
Junior Writer, The Denver Post
Media News Group
02.2016 - 07.2018
Bachelor of Arts - English
Sam Houston State University