Educator, Researcher, and High-Impact Leader

Empowering students through the intersection of literacy, strategy, and technology

Kenia’s mother, Ora Brown, a single woman with a graduate degree in home economics from the University of Alabama, privately adopted her at the age of thirteen months and laid an extraordinarily loving foundation for a phenomenal life rooted in literacy, resounding inquiry, and disciplined thought. A devoted advocate for early childhood education, Ms. Brown taught Kenia to read and write by the age of three, intentionally cultivating a home rich in language and learning. Kenia’s early reading included World Book Encyclopedias, the Pickle Book series, dictionaries and her most cherished read-aloud text, Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Home Now! by Dr. Seuss—reflecting Ms. Brown belief in the intellectual and emotional power of parents reading picture books to children.

From these formative experiences emerged a lifelong commitment to scholarship and critical inquiry. That commitment was formally recognized during Kenia’s high school years, when she conducted specialized research on Diplodia natalensis at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences in Fort Pierce, Florida. Today, the same rigor and curiosity shape Kenia’s work as an educator, consultant, and lecturer, informing her contributions to English Language Arts instruction and higher education with scholarly precision and purpose.

A Legacy of Excellence

With nearly twenty years of experience spanning elementary to post-secondary education, Kenia is a proven force in student achievement. Currently a high school English teacher and collegiate adjunct instructor, she was named the 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year at South Plantation High School, Plantation, Florida. Her classroom success is supported by more than ten years of historical data: wherein she has earned “Highly Effective” ratings for student growth in Florida high stakes reading assessments. Kenia has won multiple Florida Department of Education Distinguished Educator awards and over $17,500 in state merit bonuses for driving record-breaking student growth on Florida’s high-stakes assessments (FCAT, FSA, and FAST). Additionally, Kenia has won multiple grants including the first recipient of the David Novak Lead4Change award totaling $10,000 for Plantation Middle School for the “Motivational Mondays” project. 

Innovative Pedagogy & Research

As a Ph.D. candidate in English at Liberty University, Kenia bridges the gap between traditional literacy and the future of education. Her instructional approach—defined by “competitive academic play”—transforms learning environments into high-energy, confidence-building experiences. Her current research interests include:

• The AI Frontier: Integrating ethical Artificial Intelligence within ELA and intensive reading curricula.
• Diagnostic Literacy: Identifying and correcting core deficits in phonics, fluency, and comprehension.
• Gamification: Analyzing the impact of teacher-led competitive play on standardized assessment scores.

Kenia is not just teaching students how to read; she is teaching them how to think, communicate, and lead in an increasingly complex world.

Fast Facts about Kenia Brown

• Current Role: High School English Teacher & Adjunct Communication Instructor
• Education: Ph.D. Student (English), Ed.S. (Reading)MS (Library Science), MA (Communication)
• Top Honor: 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year (South Plantation High School, Plantation, Florida)
• Specialties: AI Education, Competitive Play in Literacy Classrooms, Teacher Training and UX Design