Kristen McInerney

Dr. Kristen McInerney is an education consultant in RTI’s Center for Education Services with more than 15 years of experience as a practitioner and education researcher. Her work focuses on supporting school districts, schools, coaches, and teachers in implementing family and community engagement goals, improving instructional quality, and implementing empowering instructional coaching practices for teachers and administrators. Currently, she supports districts in increasing family engagement, implementing Family Academies, implementing blended learning instructional strategies, supporting new teacher growth, and training for instructional coaching practices.  She also works with State Migrant Education Programs to conduct comprehensive needs assessments to improve instructional and support services for migrant students and families. 

Before joining RTI, Dr. McInerney was a Spanish teacher and high school assistant principal where she worked closely with students, families, teachers, counselors, and social workers. She specialized in developing support structures for newly arrived student immigrants, representing 34 countries and who speak 21 languages, including launching an evening program to provide an alternative pathway to graduation. She has authored articles and book chapters on sense of belonging and family engagement for newcomers. 

Dr. McInerney is a member of the American Education Research Association and the Comparative and International Education Society. She has a North Carolina professional educator’s license in Elementary Education (K-6), School Administrator: Principal, and Spanish K-12, as well as a Virginia permanent educator’s license in Administration and Supervision, Elementary Education PreK-6, and Spanish PreK-12.