Kara Coffino

Kara Coffino is an Assistant Professor in the School of Education and Co-Director of the Center for Educator Preparation at Colorado State University (CSU). Her work focuses on equity-based educator preparation, diversifying the teaching force, and fostering university-school partnerships. She holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Minnesota, an M.A. in Organizational Leadership from Columbia University, and a B.A. in Development Studies from UC Berkeley.

Her research emphasizes equity and justice in K-12 education, culturally sustaining pedagogy, and responsive program design. Dr. Coffino designs courses on antiracist teaching practices and chairs CSU’s curriculum renewal efforts to center equity in teacher education. She serves on the University task force for Intergroup Dialogue and the National Network for Educational Renewal’s Executive Board.

Her partnership-building efforts earned the 2020 Distinguished Service Award from CSU’s Division of Enrollment and Access. She collaborates with the Access Center and Alliance Network to create pathways for underrepresented communities into teaching. Professional affiliations include AACTE, AERA, NAPDS, and NNER.