Katie Cunningham, Ed.D. is Associate Professor of Elementary Education at Sacred Heart University. Dr. Cunningham has over 20 years of experience in education. She is a former elementary school teacher and instructional coach. Katie works with schools and communities to create and promote joyful teaching and learning. Katie is the author of three books: Start with Joy: Designing Literacy Learning for Student Happiness (2018), Literacy Leadership in Changing Schools (2016), and Story: Still the Heart of Literacy Learning (2015). She is the author of several articles published in influential educational journals including Educational Leadership and Language Arts.  Katie is the co-author of The Classroom Bookshelf, a weekly School Library Journal blog. Dr. Cunningham has a Bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood and Childhood Education from New York University. She also holds a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Teachers College, Columbia University.