Dr. Cathy Callow-Heusser is an Educational Consultant for CORE Learning. After many years working in aerospace and software engineering, she found her real passion was in education. Alongside Dr. Alan Hofmeister at the Center for Persons with Disabilities at Utah State University, she developed computer-based instructional programs that incorporated Englemann’s and Carnine’s Theory of Instruction. Over nearly 30 years, she continued to help Dr. Hofmeister improve a beginning reading program initially developed by the Southwest Regional Education Labs. The series of decodable stories aligned with the science of reading are used worldwide.

 Cathy obtained a master’s degree in Instructional Design, a doctorate in Educational Research and Evaluation, and secondary education licensure from Utah State University (USU). After teaching secondary math in Title 1 schools, she served as Director of Developmental Mathematics at USU, turning 30 to 40 percent pass rates into 80 to 90 percent pass rates across instructors by incorporating differentiated instruction strategies into all course materials. As coordinator of Utah’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (UMTSS), she coached Utah districts implementing UMTSS and organized conferences drawing educators and experts from across the state and the country.

Between 2004 through 2011, Cathy and her staff served as external evaluators and technical assistance providers to the Bureau of Indian Education’s (BIE) Reading First and BIE READS! programs. Cathay and her team traveled to as many as 86 BIE schools across the U.S. to administer DIBELS benchmark assessments, support data use, observe classrooms, and coach educators, becoming an integral part of the BIE’s success. The BIE achieved the fifth most significant gains of all states and territories for reading fluency and the second most significant gains for reading comprehension.