Students from kindergarten to second grade at Moonlight Elementary School in Gardner are far less at risk of academic difficulty than they were years ago, thanks to teacher Karla Reed. In her time she increased the number of students labeled "Low Risk" from 43 to 63 percent, reduced the number of "Some Risk" students from 34 to 20 percent, and lowered the number of "At Risk" students from 23 to 17 percent. Among her strategies for success was a balanced literacy program she created that includes an assessment component for ongoing monitoring of student progress. Ms. Reed also incorporated a system of peer tutoring that other teachers have emulated. All second graders under her tutelage achieved proficiency on the state reading assessment, with many demonstrating steady gains at all grade levels. Formerly, co-chair of the Moonlight Site Council and the School Improvement Plan, Ms. Reed helped guide the staff's selection of reading strategies and provided follow-up discussions on integrating those strategies into daily practice. Her outstanding instruction has left Moonlight students glowing with knowledge. Currently she is the Director of Mentoring and Professional Development in the Gardner-Edgerton School District.
Karla Reed has retired after 35 years in education.
2016 M.S., Educational Leadership, Pittsburg State University
2002 Reading Specialist, University of Kansas
1998 M.S., K-12 Education, Mid America Nazerene University
1988 B.S., Elementary Education, Iowa State University
