TAMPA, Fla. — Hillsborough County educator Kaitlin Behn has a passion for reading and teaching literacy. 

She started her career in teaching kindergarten and then decided to focus on teaching reading.

 “I truly believe that literacy is equity and learning how to read is a human right that all people should be afforded," said Behn. “I had heard the buzz about UFLI (the University of Florida Literacy Institute's Foundations Toolbox) and bought it on my own and began implementing it in my classroom, and the growth that I saw that year was unlike anything I had ever seen."

UFLI Foundations is a program designed to help teachers teach reading, but Behn calls it magic.

"It teaches easier concepts before more complex concepts," she said. "It has lots of repetition built in so students can practice with the same skills."

Behn visits classrooms throughout Hillsborough County to coach teachers and model the lessons.

“A lot of trainings, a lot of coaching, teaching," she said. "I still get to be with students every day, so that’s what makes it great."

She is able to spend time with students all across the county teaching what she loves.

“By leaving the classroom and not just touching my students, I have the opportunity to support teachers as they leave that impact and bring that literacy to their students," said Behn.