Dr. Katie Fields

Dr. Katie Fields is a visiting assistant professor of education at the University of Central Oklahoma and a passionate advocate for trauma-responsive teaching. With over a decade of classroom experience spanning preschool through fourth grade, she brings both practical expertise and groundbreaking research to early childhood education.

Katie holds a Ph.D. in Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum from the University of Oklahoma, specializing in Early Childhood Education. Her research focuses on trauma-informed care and developing teachers as advocates, including her innovative trauma-plus framework for supporting foster children in educational settings.

As a foster parent for over two years alongside her husband Ben, Katie's personal experience deepens her professional commitment to creating safe, healing spaces for trauma-affected children. She is co-author of From Breakdowns to Breakthroughs, a practical guide for educators working with children who have experienced trauma.

When she's not teaching, researching, or advocating, Katie enjoys reading and playing video games, often with her pittie princess Noelle by her side.