OUR TEAM
WHO WE ARE
Our organization was founded by Susan Mackey, Jo Stevens, and Betsy Kinkade, three educators with more than a century of combined experience across schools, districts, and instructional roles. What unites us is a shared belief in the transformative power of knowledge-building instruction.
Over the course of our careers, we have worked as classroom teachers, an EL specialist and director, a school counselor, academic coaches, building and district administrators, curriculum developers, presenters, and educational consultants. This broad range of experience allows us to understand the realities of classrooms and the pressures on teachers, while also bringing a district-level perspective on what drives lasting change. We have partnered with schools serving students from varied cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. These experiences guide our work and remind us that effective instruction must be practical, inclusive, and grounded in real classroom needs.
As founders, Susan, Jo, and Betsy bring complementary strengths, shared values, and a deep commitment to supporting educators and improving learning for all students.
OUR VALUES
Use our gifts according to the grace given to each of us:
- SERVE teachers and students
- TEACH knowledge
- ENCOURAGE learning
- GIVE resources GENEROUSLY
- LEAD DILIGENTLY
Romans 12:6
Susan Mackey
Founder
About Susan
Susan Mackey, M.Ed., is a founding member, educational leader, and nonprofit advocate with over 30 years of experience advancing equitable, high-quality education. She has served in K–8 roles from classroom teacher to Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction, focusing on literacy, structured curriculum design, and professional learning grounded in the Science of Reading. A former state trainer and national consultant, she supports schools in implementing evidence-based practices that drive lasting student success. She holds degrees in Elementary Education and Curriculum & Instruction (with an emphasis in TESOL).
susan.mackey@backgroundknowledgeproject.com
Jo Stevens
Founder
About Jo
Jo Stevens, M.Ed., is a founding member and educational leader with 28 years of experience supporting student achievement in elementary and district settings. She has served in roles ranging from classroom teacher to ESOL Curriculum Specialist, with a focus on literacy, language acquisition, and equitable access. As a former district and state trainer, she supports educators in implementing research-based practices that build strong, confident readers. She holds degrees in Elementary Education and Reading (Reading Specialist certification) and an ESOL endorsement.
Betsy Kinkade
Founder
About Betsy
Betsy Kinkade, M.Ed., is a founding member and veteran educational leader with over 35 years of experience in elementary and district-level education. She has served in roles ranging from classroom teacher, counselor, and principal to District Director of Migrant and ESOL Programs, with a focus on equity, multilingual learners, and high-quality instruction. As a district leader, she directed K–12 Migrant and English Learner initiatives, led large-scale professional learning, and ensured compliance with state and federal regulations. She holds degrees in Elementary Education along with certifications in School Counseling, School Administration, and ESOL.
