Donn Kirkwood joined the Southern Regional Education Board in 2014 as a literacy coach for the Literacy Design Collaborative program, through which he helped teachers and leaders in seven states use LDC practices and backward design techniques to develop exemplary curricula, improve instruction and increase student outcomes.

As a senior leadership coach, Donn now works with K-12 teachers and leaders at the state, district and school level to form strong partnerships and collaboratively develop professional development growth plans that meet their unique improvement goals. Before coming to SREB, Donn served as a middle school teacher for six years and was recognized in 2013 as K-8 Outstanding Educator of the Year for North Carolina. He holds a bachelor’s in education from Washington State University and a master’s in administration and supervision from Liberty University.