Our Staff

Deb Kelt

Co-Director, HTWP

Deb Kelt is a co-director of the Heart of Texas Writing Project. Deb taught secondary language arts at public schools for 20 years, most recently at Akins High School here in Austin, TX. Deb is interested in exploring the literacy practices students bring to the classroom, and how teachers can build on these practices to enhance reading/writing workshop. Deb is particularly interested in preparing teachers for work in urban schools. She currently serves as Cohort Coordinator for UTeach Urban Teachers, Language Arts.

Katie McKay

Co-Director, HTWP

Katie McKay is a co-director of the Heart of Texas Writing Project.  Katie taught multilingual K-8th grade students for 14 years in public, private, and public charter schools in Fairfax County, Virginia, Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Austin, Texas.  Katie is a bilingual educator who advocates for equitable access high quality writing instruction and 21st century skills through writing workshop. She writes, studies, and shares ideas about the importance of providing authentic audiences for diverse students and their families.