Katherine McKnight

Katherine McKnight

Keynote Speaker: Award-Winning Author & Expert on Educational Leadership, Literacy and Student Skill Development

Katherine McKnight Biography

Dr. Katherine McKnight is an engaging speaker, dedicated teacher, researcher, and award-winning author with a passion for transforming literacy education. Her impressive career blends research with practicality, positioning her to empower teachers and directly impact student outcomes.

Starting as an English and social studies teacher in Chicago Public Schools, Dr. McKnight’s commitment to student engagement set the path for her future work. She spent 15 years teaching at the university level. Her career in higher education culminated in her appointment as a Distinguished Professor of Research at National Louis University. In 2015, she founded Dr. Katie McKnight’s Engaging Learners, an education company built around her innovative Literacy & Learning Centers. She has helped turn around many struggling schools with this centers-stations-and-rotations collaborative learning model that is designed specifically for grade 4-12 learners.

She has written extensively, authoring 25 books that support educational strategies to engage all learners. Her popular book, "The Teacher’s Big Book of Graphic Organizers," won the 2013 Teachers’ Choice Award. Other key titles include "Literacy & Learning Centers for the Big Kids, Grades 4-12" and "The Second City Guide to Improv in the Classroom." Dr. McKnight collaborated with literacy specialist Alan Sitomer to create the research-based writing program Short, Short, BIG. Dr. McKnight influences educators and boosts teaching confidence worldwide with classroom-tested instructional practices that are backed by research and personal experience. She and Dr. Jennifer French co-host the podcast The Science of Reading for Grades 4-12 with Katie & Jen. Dr. McKnight gained national attention for her 2024 EdWeek Market Reports prediction that the Science of Reading body of research will soon take hold in upper grades. “Many middle school teachers are alarmed by the lack of foundational skills they see in their classes and are weighing how phonics and other strategies should be applied” to support their students.

As a consultant to schools across the U.S. and internationally, Dr. McKnight is committed to improving educational practices and supporting teachers. Her Coffee with Katie and Richard webinar series, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic with Dr. Richard Cash, became a global platform for K-12 educators to engage in valuable professional training as they dealt with the pressures of adapting instruction and maintaining teacher-student relationships.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Katherine McKnight and other top speakers and celebrities.

Katherine McKnight Speaking Topics

Science of Reading

The term Science of Reading is everywhere! But what does it really mean and how can educators best leverage the research findings? Let Dr. McKnight help you answer the important questions: What key instructional practices build better readers, writers, and thinkers? How do we bridge the gap between state and district policy and our classrooms? Go beyond K-5 with foundational literacy for all students, even the “big kids” in middle school and high school.

Reading and Writing for the Big Kids

So often, adolescent readers can decode text but as soon as teachers ask them to dig more deeply, we find that they are unable to do so. Understanding the author's message, the main idea, or theme is oftentimes challenging. In this presentation, Dr. McKnight introduces educators to classroom-ready strategies that all content area/discipline area teachers can use to build student comprehension.

Standards- and Skills-Based Grading

Attendees, both teachers and administrators, discover the value of examining their school’s existing proficiency scales, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and creating customized proficiency scales as needed. Teachers are given tips for recognizing the goals of the standards and instructional methods that align with those goals. Administrators learn the importance of streamlining content and aligning it with clarified goals, and they explore a few best practices that will position teaching staff to dramatically increase their teaching effectiveness.

Improv and Active Learning: Yes...And for the Classroom

Improvisation builds growth mindset and promotes literacy skill development because it encourages creation, analysis, and interpretation of text. It enhances community, encouraging an atmosphere in which creative risk-taking is the norm rather than the exception and it supports an educational environment in which all students are truly included. Dr. McKnight leads an active learning workshop; participants can expect to be on their feet, discovering the principals of classroom improv and identifying effective applications in whatever content area they teach.

Literacy & Learning Centers: The Intersection of Literacy and Disciplinary Knowledge (grades 4-12)

Elementary schools have long used learning centers – also known as “rotations” or “stations.” But middle and high school teachers have unique challenges, so Dr. Katherine McKnight developed collaborative learning centers designed specifically for grade 4-12 learners. Literacy & Learning Centers are an effective tool in all classrooms, and they’re being used in districts all over the country to improve.

Katherine McKnight Videos

Literacy and Learning - Katherine McKnight
Interview with Katie McKnight, Author of Common Core Literacy ...
Katie McKnight Podcast Series #5 - Differentiated Instruction ...

How do I book Katherine McKnight to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Katherine McKnight for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Katherine McKnight, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Katherine McKnight or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Katherine McKnight for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Katherine McKnight, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Katherine McKnight are Below $10,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Katherine McKnight, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Katherine McKnight speak about?

Katherine McKnight is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Mindset, Education, Educational Motivational, Education Reform, Literacy, Authors, Consulting, Personal Growth, Motivational and Corporate Culture.

Where does Katherine McKnight travel from?

Katherine McKnight generally travels from Chicago, IL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Katherine McKnight?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Katherine McKnight for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Katherine McKnight for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Katherine McKnight or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Katherine McKnight is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Mindset, Education and Educational Motivational. The estimated speaking fee range to book Katherine McKnight for live events is Below $10,000, and for virtual events Below $10,000. Katherine McKnight generally travels from Chicago, IL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Donalyn Miller, Robyn Jackson and Emily Diehl. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Katherine McKnight for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 16/10/2024.

Katherine McKnight Speaking Topics

  • Science of Reading

    The term Science of Reading is everywhere! But what does it really mean and how can educators best leverage the research findings? Let Dr. McKnight help you answer the important questions: What key instructional practices build better readers, writers, and thinkers? How do we bridge the gap between state and district policy and our classrooms? Go beyond K-5 with foundational literacy for all students, even the “big kids” in middle school and high school.

  • Reading and Writing for the Big Kids

    So often, adolescent readers can decode text but as soon as teachers ask them to dig more deeply, we find that they are unable to do so. Understanding the author's message, the main idea, or theme is oftentimes challenging. In this presentation, Dr. McKnight introduces educators to classroom-ready strategies that all content area/discipline area teachers can use to build student comprehension.

  • Standards- and Skills-Based Grading

    Attendees, both teachers and administrators, discover the value of examining their school’s existing proficiency scales, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and creating customized proficiency scales as needed. Teachers are given tips for recognizing the goals of the standards and instructional methods that align with those goals. Administrators learn the importance of streamlining content and aligning it with clarified goals, and they explore a few best practices that will position teaching staff to dramatically increase their teaching effectiveness.

  • Improv and Active Learning: Yes...And for the Classroom

    Improvisation builds growth mindset and promotes literacy skill development because it encourages creation, analysis, and interpretation of text. It enhances community, encouraging an atmosphere in which creative risk-taking is the norm rather than the exception and it supports an educational environment in which all students are truly included. Dr. McKnight leads an active learning workshop; participants can expect to be on their feet, discovering the principals of classroom improv and identifying effective applications in whatever content area they teach.

  • Literacy & Learning Centers: The Intersection of Literacy and Disciplinary Knowledge (grades 4-12)

    Elementary schools have long used learning centers – also known as “rotations” or “stations.” But middle and high school teachers have unique challenges, so Dr. Katherine McKnight developed collaborative learning centers designed specifically for grade 4-12 learners. Literacy & Learning Centers are an effective tool in all classrooms, and they’re being used in districts all over the country to improve.

Katherine McKnight Videos

Literacy and Learning - Katherine McKnight
Interview with Katie McKnight, Author of Common Core Literacy ...
Katie McKnight Podcast Series #5 - Differentiated Instruction ...
The Web-based Generation with Katherine McKnight Ph.D.
  • How do I book Katherine McKnight to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Katherine McKnight for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Katherine McKnight, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Katherine McKnight or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Katherine McKnight for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Katherine McKnight, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Katherine McKnight are Below $10,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Katherine McKnight, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Katherine McKnight speak about?

    Katherine McKnight is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Mindset, Education, Educational Motivational, Education Reform, Literacy, Authors, Consulting, Personal Growth, Motivational and Corporate Culture.
  • Where does Katherine McKnight travel from?

    Katherine McKnight generally travels from Chicago, IL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Katherine McKnight?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Katherine McKnight for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Katherine McKnight for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Katherine McKnight or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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