Catherine Bartlett

Biography

Catherine Bartlett, Ed.D. is an instructional leader and adjunct professor with more than 30 years of experience in K–12 and higher education. She holds a Doctor of Education in Professional Leadership from the University of Houston, where her research focused on principal succession and its impact on school effectiveness. Dr. Bartlett has served as an adjunct professor for multiple universities, providing instruction, supervision, and mentorship to education candidates in both online and hybrid learning environments while aligning coursework to state and accreditation standards.

In addition to her work in higher education, Dr. Bartlett brings extensive administrative leadership experience, having spent over two decades as a campus principal and district instructional leader in Texas. Her leadership resulted in national recognition, including designation as a Franklin Covey National Lighthouse Model School and being named Texas Elementary Principal of the Year. She has led large-scale instructional initiatives, supervised educators using state evaluation systems, and collaborated on district strategic planning to improve student outcomes across diverse learning communities.

Professional Interests

Dr. Bartlett’s professional interests include instructional leadership, educator coaching, school improvement, and the preparation of future teachers and administrators. She is committed to bridging theory and practice in teacher preparation programs by drawing on real-world leadership experience, mentoring educators through reflective practice, and fostering high expectations that support both academic excellence and professional growth.

Education and Certifications

Certifcations include: Elementary Education, Secondary ELA Education, Principal, Superintendent, English as a Second Language, Speech & Communication

Courses

Dr. Bartlett enjoys working with aspiring and developing teachers through courses such as Clinical Practice, Educational Foundations and Content Knowledge & Instructional Practices (both Elementary & Secondary)

Scholarship & Contributions to the Field

Dr. Catherine Bartlett’s scholarship and contributions to the field of education center on instructional leadership, school improvement, and the preparation of effective educators and campus leaders. Her doctoral research on principal succession examined leadership continuity and its impact on school performance, informing her long-standing work in mentoring administrators and teachers across K–12 and higher education settings. Dr. Bartlett has contributed to the field through the implementation of research-based leadership frameworks, including schoolwide enrichment models and leadership development programs, and through her role in preparing future educators via adjunct teaching, field supervision, and coaching aligned to state evaluation and accreditation standards. Her work bridges theory and practice by translating leadership research into sustainable instructional systems that promote academic excellence, positive school culture, and educator growth