Sherri Beshears-McNeely

Literacy Project Manager
Educational Programs Consultant
Performing Arts Specialist

“I think of myself as an artist first, and bring that to my work.  That allows me to be flexible and fluent in my thinking.  I’m a learner, hands-on.”

As a coach, artist and educational consultant, Sherri brings to her work a love of the arts, a thorough understanding of literacy in service of learning, and the expertise to help teachers weave it all together in ways that ignite both learning and the joy of teaching. As Project Manager for the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) Adolescent Literacy Project, mentor coach for the Striving Readers project, and designer of professional development for both GEAR UP Kentucky and GEAR UP SOAR, Sherri loves having the opportunity to be creative as she helps teachers understand and achieve standards through hands-on practice. 
 
In her work with CTL, Sherri has also served as an artist coach on the Different Ways of Knowing Middle Grades Research project, helped to develop the Right in the Middle CD to spotlight lessons learned about reform at the middle level, and has led teachers in concentrated dance and drama work to boost learning in the content areas. Her ultimate goal is to ensure that all children have access to excellent learning.
 
Sherri has served as public education coordinator for Stage One: The Louisville Children's Theatre, and as director of education and student theater for Quincy Community Theatre in Illinois, and an instructor for pre-K through grade 12 in drama, dance, performing arts and elementary music across Kentucky, Indiana, Oklahoma and Illinois. She also has extensive professional experience as an actor, director, dancer/choreographer, vocal musician and costume designer, including five seasons as a strolling improvisational storyteller and stage performer at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia.  Sherri also markets her own line of customizable stationery. 

• Former Public Education Coordinator, Stage One: The Louisville Children's Theatre
• Master of Performing Arts in Children’s Theatre with emphasis on directing and curriculum development, Oklahoma City University
• Bachelor of Science, Theatre Performance; Associated Studies in  Spanish and Communications, University of Evansville, Evansville, Indiana