Author: Katherine Reilly

Author & Educator, University Lecturer, English Language & Literature | Public & Motivational Speaker Katherine Reilly is an ELT Teacher Trainer and Author of numerous publications in children’s literature, teaching materials and ICT. Katherine has taught at numerous academic venues and professional events, including the University of Athens, the University of Limassol, the Malta ELTC Conference, and the Innovate ELT Conference at the Oxford TEFL training center in Barcelona. She has also contributed to British Council training sessions, spoken at multiple IATEFL SIGs events, and has delivered a TEDx talk focused on inclusivity, respect, and acceptance in educational settings. Her expertise includes training school faculties in inclusive teaching methodology and diverse educational materials adaptation. Katherine has also contributed to the field as a voiceover artist for various ELT publishers and as a regular contributor to ELT NEWS magazine. She has authored a range of educational materials and creative works, including ‘The Show Must Go On,’ ‘The Adventures of Ben & Friday,’ her guidebook ‘The Road to Femininity,’ and her academic handbook ‘Breaking Barriers – Inclusive Approaches to Modern Language Teaching.’ Katherine has collaborated with Express Publishing to create the Short Tales Series, a collection of 18 readers for young learners designed to enhance language acquisition through engaging stories. Her contributions to Prime Press Publishing include numerous publications, 20 in total, under the alias ‘Catherine R. Jones’, focusing on ELT pedagogy and teaching materials for educators. She has provided training to employees in both public and private organizations, advocating for workplace diversity. Her contributions extend to humanitarian efforts, including teaching underprivileged children and serving as vice principal at the Refugee School of Athens. These experiences inform her research and advocacy for equity in education, emphasizing the importance of accessibility and representation. She has spoken on behalf of organizations which empower and support women, namely ‘Mexoxo’ and ‘Women on Top’ in internationally known conferences such as the ‘Delphi Economic Forum’, ‘Live a Legacy’ and ‘Be an Ally Forum’. As an ambassador of ‘Worldplaces’, an initiative supported in Greece by the Generation Red 2.0 organization, she has strived to promote the rights of all women in today’s workplace. Katherine has collaborated with the Greek National Opera as Production Consultant and has scripted short films and videos for independent filmmakers. She has hosted events such as the annual ‘I’m Positive’ at the Onassis Cultural Centre of Athens promoting HIV visibility, the ELT Excellence Awards in Education, and the award ceremony at the Animasyros Film Festival in Syros. In her free time, she collaborates with a modelling agency as a part-time model for concept photography and is a member of the HUMAN CAST organization which promotes the artistic endeavors of marginalized individuals. In 2023, Katherine starred in Pantene’s advertising campaign for promotion of diverse and inclusive workspaces.
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Teacher Burnout: Why We Must Endure

I saw a post today about an old TIME magazine cover from 2018 that is making the rounds again, and one quote hit me straight to the heart:

“Violence in the classrooms. Pressure from admin and district to outperform every year. No work life balance. Constant criticism of trained professionals. This is why education becomes unsustainable for our mental health. We chose this career to help kids, and our compassion is taken advantage of at the cost of our health.”

The fact that a cover from years ago still feels painfully relevant says everything. This is the truth many teachers live every day. I’m not being a drama queen, nor am I exaggerating. This is reality. And yes, even though I’m teaching in Greece, this predicament reflects the status here as well.

Teaching is an act of care, but somewhere along the way, that care started being treated as an endless resource. Teachers are stretched, drained, and judged all at once, while still expected to smile and keep on going.

The emotional load, the pressure to perform, even the lack of support, slowly wears down the people who entered this profession with the purest of intentions. We cannot keep expecting teachers to pour from an empty cup. Healthy classrooms require healthy teachers. Safe students require supported adults.

We chose this profession because we believe in people. It is time for the system to believe in us too.

Credits:
Photo Cover: TIME Magazine
Source: Bored Teachers (Instagram)
Quote: bloombeyondburnout (Instagram)

Blog Post Text: Katherine Reilly

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Breaking Barriers: Inclusive ELT Through Critical Discourse Analysis and Universal Design for Learning

The eshop link to my latest publication, “Breaking Barriers” is now available for your convenience. My heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has supported me in this endeavor.

Product Info: “Breaking Barriers is a research-informed teacher development handbook that bridges inclusive theory and classroom practice. Combining the critical lens of CDA with the flexibility of UDL, Katherine Reilly offers educators practical strategies to embrace diversity, foster safe learning spaces, and empower every learner. Drawing from real classroom experiences, reflective activities, and case studies, this book redefines what inclusion means in English Language Teaching. Accessible, engaging, and deeply practical, Breaking Barriers inspires teachers to challenge bias, celebrate learner identities, and create environments where all students can thrive.”

purchase here: eshop link

Reilly, K. (2025). Breaking barriers: Inclusive ELT through critical discourse analysis and universal design for learning. Brightales Publications. ISBN 978-618-87725-2-6.  https://brightales.gr/product/breaking-barriers-by-katherine-reilly/

Breaking Barriers SampleDownload