About Kiana Pendleton

Dr. Kiana N. Pendleton, a Jackson, Mississippi native, began her educational career as an America Reads tutor and later taught Grades K, 2, and 4 ELA. She then became a reading interventionist and a district reading specialist, significantly boosting district reading scores over three years. As the first African American female principal of Laurel Magnet School of the Arts, she led the school to its first A rating, with state test proficiency in ELA and math increasing dramatically under her leadership. She was honored with Curriculum Associates’ Extraordinary Educator Inspire Award, and her school was selected as a National Blue Ribbon recipient. Currently, Kiana is the director of implementation and instruction for Curriculum Associates, where she works to enhance i-Ready implementation and improve student achievement.