Kersten Russell, MSEd

Kersten Russell is a clinical manager on the School and Community Programs team at the Child Mind Institute. Kersten has worked in New York City schools for over 15 years as a special educator and administrator. Having worked in a variety of settings, including self-contained and integrated co-teaching classes, she is able to meet the educational needs of children with a wide range of learning differences to ensure they make progress and feel successful.

Kersten is trained as an Orton-Gillingham Classroom Educator and has experience designing and implementing a variety of evidence-based reading interventions. She also has expertise in fostering inclusive school environments, facilitating the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) review process, and designing multi-tiered systems of support for at-risk students. Kersten is committed to supporting under-resourced communities through collaboration with teachers and caregivers while expanding access to phonics-based reading instruction.

• Director of Support Services, Growing Up Green Charter School, Long Island City, NY
• Learning Specialist and IEP Coordinator, Growing Up Green Charter School, Long Island City, NY
• Special Education Teacher, PAVE Academy, Brooklyn, NY
• Special Education Teacher and NYC Teaching Fellow, PS 36 Margaret Douglas School, New York, NY

• Med, Childhood Special Education: Learning Disabilities, Hunter College, New York, NY
• BA, Psychology, New York University, New York, NY