Meet Our Teachers
The Reading Corner has established a positive and safe place for educators to thrive and for students to feel safe taking risk in their learning.
One thing you feel when you walk into The Reading Corner is the warmth that emanates from both staff and the learning community. We have such a unique group of teachers that truly love The Reading Corner, support and encourage each other, and collaborate to provide the best positive learning environment for students.
Karen Green
Founder and Director
I’m Karen Green, founder and owner of The Reading Corner.
For over seven years, I was an educator in Hillsborough County, teaching first through fourth grade. For three years, I was a reading coach. My work with teachers included coaching and modeling best practices in literacy, assessing and working with students, providing classroom management support, and on-site training to faculty.
Being involved in the reading coach project, I participated in monthly staff development training and was trained on the most up-to-date research-based reading and writing instruction. I have attended over 400 hours of training in the last seven years to further my professional growth. In addition to attending trainings, I was a trainer in Hillsborough County for three years, training teachers in all aspects of literacy instruction.
I started the Reading Corner in my own home. It grew from 5 students to 60 requiring a new facility. Since its beginning in 2009, the Reading Corner has provided students age 2 through VPK with quality academic instruction. I love the freedom to provide the best, research-based instruction to help prepare our students to become lifelong readers and learners.
Alison Payne
VPK
Hello! My name is Alison Payne I have been teaching
at The Reading Corner for 10 years and have 25 plus years of teaching experience. I studied at Trinity College in Burlington Vermont. I was also a director of two different childcare facilities in my childcare career. I also have my Florida State VPK credentials.
I was raised and lived in Maine until I moved to Florida in 2003 because my husband was offered a new job. Even though I've been in Florida for about 16 years now, you might hear my "Mainer" or New Englander accent from time to time. I have two amazing children: Abigail, my daughter, is 19 years old in her Sophomore year at USF working on the study of Micro Biology and Sam, my son, is 16 years old in his Sophomore year at Cypress Creek High School. He is on the Varsity Wrestling team and loves every minute of it. They are by far my greatest accomplishments!
In my classroom I promote a positive, safe and loving place for your child can be ready to learn in. I believe that this is your child learning foundation of years to come. I want to make sure your child will be academically challenged while having fun!
Kim Winter
Onsite Director
I am proud to say, I have been teaching at The Reading Corner for the past four years. I am currently the Onsite Director overseeing the day to day classroom activities.
I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida.
I began teaching in 2004 at Denham Oaks Elementary. During my time at Denham Oaks, I was a Lead Literacy Teacher and absorbed myself in professional development. Reading is my true passion!
I have been married for 10 years and have two kiddos (ages 14 and 12 years old). I am thrilled to say, they both have attended The Reading Corner!
In my spare time, I like to read and shop!
My teaching philosophy is to provide a nurturing learning environment, using researched based teaching practices while ensuring that every student is fully engaged and taking ownership of their learning.
Karen Roque
Teacher
Hello, I’m Karen Roque (also known as Ms. K). I earned my Early Childhood Professional certificate from HCC and an AA degree in business. I have been a 2’s and 3’s teacher at The Reading Corner for 9 years. I have been teaching preschool for 17 years in the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area.
My interests aside from teaching are reading, working out and nutrition. I have also been advancing my skill set with American Sign Language.
Corley Hurley
Teacher
My name is Corley and I have over fourteen years of teaching experience. I began my teaching career at Keystone Christian Preschool in Odessa. I have been at The Reading Corner for two years and it feels like home. I have a blended family with my husband, TIm. We have four daughters. My husband and I are both Tampa natives and we are huge sports fans. My home away from home is Colorado; I love hiking the Rocky Mountains.
Babette
Teacher
My name is Babette and I have been with The Reading Corner for five years. I’ve had the pleasure of teaching VPK and the older 2s. I have worked with children almost my entire adult life. I was a 1:1 student aide, and I have also worked with special needs children. My husband and I have been married for two years and we have a one year old daughter, Katherine. Katherine and I are here in Florida and my husband is currently deployed.
