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 6 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 10 and 8 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.

Ms. Morgyn

VPK Teacher

I have had the pleasure of working at The Reading Corner for the last 4 years, where I was a substitute before becoming a full-time teacher. It was during my time in subbing that I had fallen in love with both TRC’s curriculum and teaching early childhood education. I have a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Tampa, but teaching has always been a passion of mine. I am currently working towards my teacher certification and masters in special education at USF. I absolutely love teaching VPK and find something so amazing about this developmental stage in life😊

Apart from being a teacher, I am also a wife and mama of 2 beautiful girls. They are both Reading Corner alumni and thanks to their time here, they have not only a love for reading, but also a love for 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.

Aside from being a teacher, I am married and together my husband and I have 5 kids. Our youngest attended The Reading Corner for 5 years. I stand behind this school as a teacher and as a parent. It was exactly what my son needed.

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.

Andrea

Teacher

My name is Andrea and I have been at TRC for four years. My daughter started here as a 2 year old and it was at that time that I fell in love with the culture and curriculum here. She is now 7 and I attribute The Reading Corner for her passion and love for reading.

I have my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from The University of South Florida. I previously taught third and fourth grade at Colson Elementary in Seffner, Fl.

I currently teach the T/TH VPK program and I assist in the front office part time as well. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy reading, cooking, and going to theme parks with my family.

Angie

Teacher

Hi! I am Ms. Angie. I wear many hats at TRC. Currently, I am teaching VPK but I’ve also taught the 2s class.

I was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and lived there my first 30 years. I met my husband while he was in the US Navy and we have been stationed to a few different cities, where our two beautiful children were born. This is our 9th year in Tampa, and my husband has since retired. Rory is 16, in 11th grade, and Sadie is 12 and in 6th grade. Sadie enjoyed her TRC experience for preschool, VPK and her kindergarten years.

Alongside my teaching role, I am also the Art and Music teacher here at The Reading Corner. I enjoy providing a mix of product AND process art to our kiddos; allowing them to express themselves creatively while providing keepsakes for their TRC portfolios. Our music classes allow us to find our voices, sing an array of music from kids songs, to The Beatles and Bob Marley, as well as incorporating movement and instruments into our weekly music class.

I received my Bachelors of Arts Degree with a major in Psychology from Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. I have enjoyed my teaching role so much that I went back to school to receive my CDS as well as my VPK certification 4 years ago. This will be my 8th year teaching here, and I am looking forward to spending the next year with you and your beautiful children!

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.

Hayley

Teacher

Hi! I'm Ms. Hayley and I just started here at The Reading Corner and I love it! I help where I am needed in classrooms, virtual, and I teach aftercare. Currently, I am a student and finishing my Bachelor's Degree in healthcare but I am strongly considering switching to an Early Childhood degree. I love watching kids learn!