Rate My Professor Kara Coffino

Kara Coffino, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the School of Education at Colorado State University and Co-Director of the Center for Educator Preparation in the College of Health and Human Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. in Literacy Education with a supporting program in Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development from the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities (2012), an M.A. in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in Public School Leadership from Columbia University Teachers College (2007), and a B.A. in Development Studies with a minor in City and Regional Planning from the University of California, Berkeley (2002). Coffino began her career as a fourth-grade teacher (2002–2005) and literacy coach (2005–2007) at Carver Upper Elementary School in the Indianola School District, Mississippi, designing assessment-driven curricula, restructuring literacy programs, conducting professional development, and developing student interventions.

At the University of Minnesota from 2007 to 2018, she advanced through roles including Research and Graduate Assistant for the Hormel Fellowship (2007–2010), Program Coordinator for the Hormel Fellowship and Masters Program (2010–2012), Coordinator of District Partnerships in the Office of Professional Development (2012–2013), and Director of Alternative Pathways to Teaching (2013–present). There, she supervised teams, managed budgets exceeding $640,000, designed 30-credit licensure programs in elementary education, secondary math/science, and ESL, developed 22 school partnerships, led co-teaching clinical models, taught graduate courses, and advised 89 master’s students. Joining Colorado State University in August 2018 as Assistant Professor, she was promoted to Associate Professor and leads efforts to diversify Colorado's teaching workforce through adapted teacher preparation programs emphasizing first-generation and marginalized students.

Coffino's research focuses on issues of equity and justice in K-12 education and educator preparation, creating pathways to teaching and diversifying the teaching force, coaching in educational settings, responsive program design, and culturally sustaining pedagogy. Key publications include "Learning science through talking science in elementary classroom" (with K. M. Tank, Cultural Studies of Science Education, 2013) and annotated bibliographies for Research in the Teaching of English (2012, 2013). She has presented on dialogue, co-teaching, and professional learning at conferences such as the National Association of Professional Development Schools (2020) and National Association for Alternative Certification (2016). Awards include the Margaret B. Hazaleus Award and Enrollment and Access Distinguished Service Award (both 2020, Colorado State University), and University of Minnesota fellowships (2009–2011). She serves on CSU's Intergroup Dialogue Planning Group and contributes to educator diversity initiatives.