Christie L. Cavanaugh is an Educational Services Consultant with CORE. She earned her Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin in Special Education with concentrations in early childhood and reading after teaching for several years and receiving her master’s degree from George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University in Special Education (early childhood and language). She completed her undergraduate degree from Tusculum College with dual certification in special and elementary education. Christie has extensive experience teaching in a variety of settings, including early childhood, early intervention, early childhood special education, special education in elementary grades, and higher education at the University of Florida and currently at the University of North Carolina Greensboro.

She has spent much of her career preparing future teachers and providing ongoing professional development to educators in the areas of language and literacy, with a particular focus on at-risk students and high-need schools in various contexts. She has been an educational consultant for schools, districts, and state departments to improve reading instruction, support schools in their efforts to implement effective, research- and evidence-based practices, including RTI or MTSS. As a faculty member in the department of Specialized Education Services at UNCG, she teaches undergraduate and graduate students and coordinates efforts to implement edTPA, a performance-based portfolio assessment for initial teaching licensure. Christie has maintained involvement with reading research centers in Texas and Florida and has written and presented nationally and internationally. She has also worked with colleagues to develop and revise statewide professional development programs and materials for elementary and special education teachers and administrators to enhance reading instruction and intervention for all students.