Renee Llanes

Renee Llanes serves as the Lead Active Playful Learning (APL) Coach at Southern Methodist University’s Center on Research and Evaluation (CORE). With more than 20 years of experience in elementary education spanning classroom teaching, intervention, instructional coaching, and leadership, she is dedicated to helping educators create engaging, student-centered learning environments where joy and academic rigor go hand in hand.  

n her role at CORE, Renee partners with teachers, instructional leaders, and school teams to strengthen instructional practices through evidence-based Active Playful Learning strategies. Drawing on the latest research, she supports educators in designing meaningful learning experiences that foster student engagement, critical thinking, collaboration, and deeper understanding while cultivating a joyful classroom culture. Renee received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas, and a Master of Education from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) at Southern Methodist University, where her research focuses on instructional coaching and teacher receptiveness.