Karla Stack Becomes Catch Up and Read’s Executive Director To Help Expand Its Programs

PLANO, TX – Catch Up and Read (CAR) Founder/CEO Catherine LeBlanc had a stellar 2020 raising more than $1.5M “to help the organization expand its literacy programs into more Dallas ISD and Richardson ISD elementary schools.” During that time period, CAR received the gifts from the following:

• Crystal Charity Ball – $951,434
• Cotton Bowl and College Football Play Off Foundation – $50,000
• Foundations – $476,293
• North Texas Giving Day – $82,659.87
• Government – $78,750
• Corporate Giving – $59,865
• Board – More than $10,000
• Individual Giving – Surpassed $30K

Presently CAR is providing approximately 100 hours of training on “evidence-based literacy practices, data driven instruction and trauma-informed strategies” in one Richardson ISD and 11 Dallas ISD schools.

According to Richardson ISD ACE Schools Executive Director Joe Miniscalco, “When all educators are searching for the answer, having a partner like CAR can change the game. CAR’s knowledge and support coupled with our will to improve the outcomes of our scholars is the right combination for the time.”

Coming on board to “lead the day-to-day operations” as it expands its program, CAR has a new executive director — Karla Stack.

Prior to joining CAR, Karla was chief program officer and executive director of the Young Women’s Preparatory Network Institute.

A native of Chihuahua, Mexico, Karla earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instructions from Boston College. It was in the Boston community where she held her first position as an elementary world language teacher in the public schools of Brookline, “where she supported the development of curriculum and cultural resources, mentored new teachers and served as a lead teacher.”

In accepting her new position, Karla said, “As an educator, I know firsthand what it’s like to see kids struggling to read  something most people take for granted. Reading is the foundation of a successful life and so many of our kids today do not have this fundamental skill. I am honored to start this journey with the team at Catch Up and Read and lead my experience to help expand the organization’s mission of ensuring at-risk children can read at grade level by 3rd grade, preparing them for reaching their potential in life.”