Meet the Team
![Georgia's Growing Readers]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1691111804/mresaorg/elwbjdcosa8u0lxubohg/growingreaderssmaller.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1691111804/mresaorg/elwbjdcosa8u0lxubohg/growingreaderssmaller.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1691111804/mresaorg/elwbjdcosa8u0lxubohg/growingreaderssmaller.jpg","width":571}])
Growing Readers is a statewide RESA initiative that equips teachers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to teach reading. All 16 RESAs in Georgia participate in the project. The project is funded by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement and the Georgia Department of Education.
Metro RESA Growing Readers Specialists
Kathy Matthews, Growing Readers System Manager
Contact Kathy Matthews
April Brillard, Growing Readers Coaching Specialist
Currently serving these districts: Douglas
Contact April Brillard
April Brillard began her career in education, teaching first grade in both the private school system and Fulton County Schools. While in Fulton County, she was honored to be part of the inaugural Growing Readers cohort from 2015 to 2017—an experience that deepened her passion for early literacy. In 2019, April transitioned into the role of Growing Readers Coaching Specialist, supporting educators across Fulton, Douglas, and Forsyth County Schools. Over the past six years, she has worked closely with seven schools in Douglas County, helping to cultivate strong literacy practices. She strives to provide teachers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to teach reading and improve outcomes for their students.
Shakia Bruce, Growing Readers Coaching Specialist
Currently serving: Atlanta Heights Charter, Douglas, and Rockdale
Contact Shakia Bruce
Shakia Bruce is an experienced educator and passionate literacy leader with over a decade of service in Georgia’s public education system. She began her career teaching Pre-K and has since served in multiple districts, including Atlanta Public Schools, a State Charter School in Atlanta, and Clayton County Public Schools. Her journey into instructional leadership began in Clayton County, where she first served as a Title I Academic Coach.
In 2019, Shakia was introduced to Growing Readers, where she further refined her coaching practice and deepened her understanding of effective literacy instruction. Since then, she has led district-wide literacy initiatives with a focus on equity, teacher capacity-building, and evidence-based reading practices. With years of experience supporting educators and school leaders, Shakia brings a deep knowledge of literacy development and instructional coaching to every space she enters. Her unwavering commitment to improving outcomes for all learners continues to drive her work and inspire those around her.
Natasha Perry, Growing Readers Coaching Specialist
Currently Serving: DeKalb County
Contact: Natasha Perry
Natasha Perry is a passionate educator with over 20 years of experience in DeKalb County, working with students, families, and teachers across grades K–5. She has served as a homeroom teacher, EIP reading teacher, Gifted teacher, and Academic Coach—always with a strong focus on literacy. Natasha believes that when students learn to read, they unlock the power to do anything.
Her participation in the Growing Readers project at the school level was a turning point, inspiring her to approach coaching in a more supportive and systematic way. It deepened her commitment to helping educators strengthen their reading instruction and build student success from the ground up.
Susan Graham, Growing Readers Coaching Specialist
Currently Serving: DeKalb County
Contact: Susan Graham
Susan Graham has dedicated over 25 years to teaching in both Virginia and Georgia. With 15 years of experience in Fulton County, including a pivotal role as a literacy coach, helping successfully implement the Growing Readers project school wide. Susan first participated in the project as a classroom teacher in 2015.
In 2019, she became a Growing Readers Coaching Specialist, supporting educators in DeKalb. Since joining the project, her expertise has extended to Atlanta Public Schools, Clayton County and ten schools in DeKalb. Susan has a strong desire to coach teachers to build their knowledge, skills, and confidence to create life-long readers in their classrooms. She values the time she can spend with teachers “designing and matching instruction to each individual reader” to master the art of teaching reading.
Kristy Kueber-Pope
Contact Kristy Kueber-Pope
Nicolle Trow, Growing Readers Coaching Specialist
Currently serving: DeKalb and Rockdale
Contact: Nicolle Trow
Nicolle Trow brings a rich background in education, with 29 years of experience spanning classroom teaching, school leadership, and district-level support. She began her career teaching in Greenwich, Connecticut, before moving to Fulton County Schools, where she served as both an ELA Program Specialist and a Curriculum Support Teacher. It was in Fulton where Nicolle first connected with Growing Readers, and it truly made a lasting impression on her.
In 2022, Nicolle joined the Metro Growing Readers team, driven by a commitment to ensuring all students have access to high-quality instruction. Since then, she has supported educators and school leaders in Clayton County Schools, DeKalb County Schools, and Rockdale County Schools, partnering with them to strengthen literacy practices and improve outcomes for students. Nicolle believes that every child deserves to have a high-quality education at their neighborhood school, led by skilled, empowered teachers. “I’m here to invest in teachers and students because when we uplift educators, we unlock the full potential of every child.”
For more information, contact the Metro RESA Growing Readers Program Manager, Kathy Matthews.