Katie McKean

Katie is a dedicated educator with three decades of classroom teaching experience. Raised in Northern Illinois, she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising and Public Relations and a Master’s Degree in Education. After beginning her career in fundraising and event planning for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Katie discovered her true calling was in the classroom. She has never looked back.

Katie’s extensive teaching career includes 5th grade in Roscoe, IL, and Phoenix, AZ, as well as 25 years teaching 5th and 7th grade at Phoenix Country Day School, where she served as the 7th Grade Team Leader for 15 years. Katie models positive engagement, creative problem-solving, and clear expectations with her students and team. Katie’s passion is in fostering emotional well being through communication, organization, and heartfelt conversations. Katie thrives on empowering students to achieve their individual goals and teaching them how to face challenges with strength and confidence.

Outside the classroom, Katie is an avid traveler, having hiked the 500-mile Camino de Santiago and taught U.S. History to high school seniors in China. An early riser, she spends her mornings walking her two dogs, Chimi and Changa, at 4:00 a.m. She also actively volunteers with Almost There Rescue, plays pickleball, loves thrifting, and is currently trying her hand at decoupage!