Rebecca brings a strong background in literacy and special education to her role as a Professional Learning Specialist with EPIC, where she focuses on empowering elementary educators with evidence-based practices and high-quality instructional resources. She holds degrees in both Elementary and Special Education, giving her a deep understanding of diverse learner needs and effective instructional strategies.

Her career began as a primary grades teacher, where she developed expertise in early literacy instruction and classroom best practices. She has served as a mentor teacher, supported colleagues through professional development sessions on the Science of Reading, and completed over 400 hours of specialized training in reading instruction. Rebecca has also contributed to teacher preparation efforts at Western Kentucky University and recently earned a rank change through Elevate Academy, completing a capstone project that deepened her skills in designing impactful professional learning.

Rebecca’s areas of expertise include literacy, special education, and HQIR implementation, with experience using programs such as HMH Into Reading and Wonders. She approaches instructional coaching by building strong, trust-based relationships, listening to teacher needs, and collaborating to create professional learning experiences that are practical, relevant, and responsive to real classroom challenges.

Passionate about the science of reading and how the brain learns, Rebecca is committed to helping educators across Kentucky feel confident in their instructional decisions so they can maximize their impact on student learning. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and has a personal goal to visit all 50 states.

Contact Rebecca at Rebecca.Hart@grrec.org