Katie Poynter is currently the executive lead for projects related to change management, leadership development, and quality instruction. Katie brings more than twenty years of education experience at the classroom, school, and LEA level. She believes in empowering educators to authentically own the vision and goals they have for their students. Whatever the particulars of a given project, she works in close partnership with leaders to establish robust strategic planning, professional learning, and data-driven continuous improvement. She has deep respect for the demands placed on educators, and she feels privileged to serve as an advocate, coach, and thought partner.
Prior to joining MGT, Katie wore many hats as an educator. She believes in following her passions, which has led her down nonlinear paths at times. She began as a math and science teacher in rural eastern Arkansas. She relocated to New England where she continued to teach math and then became a Dean of Student Culture. She left the field of education and graduated from law school, only to return more committed to education than ever. After building a principal talent pipeline for a network of charter schools, she led a successful turnaround effort as a middle school principal. She then felt called back to the classroom and became a reading teacher and interventionist. In every role, she has focused on clear outcomes that stretch her, the teams she leads, and most importantly, students to achieve more than anyone thinks is possible.
Katie graduated summa cum laude from Saint Mary’s College (IN) and in the top 10% of her class at Columbia Law School. As a principal, she drove double digit gains in both math and reading, had over 90% teacher retention for three years in a row, and reduced suspensions by more than 50%.
