Title: Instructional and Literacy Coach
Company: Mother Maria Anna Brunner Catholic School
Location: Dayton, Ohio, United States
Karen Allen-Greer, MEd, Instructional/Literacy coach at Mother Brunner Catholic School, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements and leadership in Education.
Ms. Allen-Greer, an instructional and literacy coach at Mother Maria Anna Brunner Catholic School, has held her position since 2021. In this capacity, she mentors teachers by modeling effective classroom practices, providing guidance during challenging student situations and conducting classroom observations. Her role as the teacher’s teacher also involves offering constructive feedback to educators, highlighting key takeaways from their lessons and ensuring instructional objectives are met. Under her leadership, Ms. Allen-Greer fosters a collaborative environment in which both teachers and students benefit from her expertise in literacy and pedagogy.
Before her current appointment, Ms. Allen-Greer was a literature and reading specialist in Dayton, Ohio, from 2015 to 2020. In this role, she discovered a deep passion for working with students on literacy skills, further solidifying her commitment to advancing reading proficiency among young learners. Ms. Allen-Greer’s efforts focused on individualized instruction and supporting students who faced challenges in reading comprehension.
Ms. Allen-Greer spent the bulk of her career with Trotwood-Madison City Schools in Trotwood, Ohio, as a teacher from 1980 to 2015. During her early years, she taught in Boston, Massachusetts, primarily fourth, fifth and sixth grades, building strong relationships with her students. She later transitioned to middle school education, focusing on sixth and seventh grade students and preparing them for the transition to eighth grade. Ms. Allen-Greer was also deeply involved in the METCO program, which provided inner-city children with access to suburban educational opportunities.
Ms. Allen-Greer also served as a teacher at Sylvan Learning from 1986 to 1990, providing supplemental instruction tailored to individual student needs. Outside of the classroom, she gained experience through a sales position at Lane Bryant during the early 1990s.
Ms. Allen-Greer’s career reflects more than four decades of dedication to education, marked by innovation, mentorship and an unwavering commitment to student success. In preparation for her career in the field, she pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Science in education from the University of Vermont in 1979 and a Master of Education in reading from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, in 1980. She also became recognized as a reading specialist, a credential that has enabled her to make substantial contributions in literacy education.
Throughout her career, Ms. Allen-Greer has been an active member of several professional organizations, including the Dayton Education Association and the National Education Association, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to professional development and educational advocacy.
Ms. Allen-Greer’s dedication has been recognized through accolades, such as being nominated for the Teacher of the Year Award, a distinction sponsored by Walmart that provided resources for both classroom enrichment and personal use. She attributes much of her success to her faith and her parents’ unwavering support. As the eldest of five siblings, Ms. Allen-Greer embraced responsibility early on, which shaped her approach to teaching and leadership.
Inspired by professors who recognized her potential nearly five decades ago, Ms. Allen-Greer seized opportunities for growth by observing effective educators and embracing creative teaching strategies. Her dynamic approach includes engaging students through interactive lessons, such as role-playing historical figures or creatively addressing challenging topics, while maintaining respectful boundaries in the classroom.
Looking ahead, Ms. Allen-Greer envisions working closely with parents to enhance their ability to support their children’s learning at home. She aims to provide practical guidance on integrating educational support into daily routines, empowering families to foster their children’s academic growth without disrupting their own schedules.
For more information, please visit:
Mother Maria Anna Brunner Catholic School
Contact Ms. Allen-Greer: