Katie Karsh

Curriculum Design Specialist

Katie joined Turnaround in 2017 as a Curriculum Design Specialist. In this role, she writes curriculum content and helps develop tools for Turnaround’s school partners.

Before joining Turnaround, Katie managed partnerships and developed educational content for Common Sense Media, a San Francisco-based nonprofit that helps families make smart media and technology choices. She began her career as a Teach For America corps member, teaching first grade in East Palo Alto, California.

Katie holds an M.A. in education policy and organizational leadership from Stanford University and a B.A. in art history from the University of Pennsylvania.

Who do you admire most in your life? Who is your hero?

I admire my mom most in my life. She taught me to value service and justice which have greatly influenced my own career path. In addition, she made many sacrifices for her children and family that I’m still learning about to this day.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I’m most proud of how I helped one of my students, Shawn, build academic skills and confidence. Shawn entered first grade at a kindergarten reading level, but finished the school year reading at a third-grade level. When I told him how much he had improved during the year, he displayed an immense sense of pride in his achievement that I will never forget.