About Dr. Kathy Hendley
I didn’t always know I’d end up in education. But from the moment I stepped into a classroom filled with students from all over the world, something clicked. I saw how language could open doors—or quietly close them. And I knew I wanted to help make learning a place where every student felt like they belonged.
Over the next sixteen years, I found myself in public schools, private schools, and community colleges—teaching, listening, building programs, and learning just as much as I taught. I focused on multilingual learners, developing curricula that honored their voices and backgrounds, and mentoring teachers who shared that vision. Along the way, I earned a PhD in Education with a focus on Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, and a Master’s in Reading and ESL.
Some of my favorite work came through partnerships—with the Center for Applied Linguistics, the Georgia Project, and early initiatives to bring distance learning to ESL students back in 2005. Long before remote learning was the norm, we were connecting students in rural Georgia to opportunities they’d never had before.
Then came a season to slow down. I stepped back to focus on my family, supported homeschool co-ops, and even chased a creative dream by writing a mystery novel. That time gave me new clarity—not just about education, but about what kind of leadership the field needs.
Now, I’m stepping back in with fresh eyes and a full heart. I’m especially interested in the spaces where research meets real-world learning—where innovation, assessment, and cultural understanding come together. Whether it’s integrating AI thoughtfully or designing systems that work for all learners, I’m passionate about building the future of education with intention.
If you’re working toward the same kind of future—one where learning is accessible, global, and deeply human—I’d love to connect.
Kathy Hendley, Ph.D. 