Ms. Kearney has taught for American University, Kaplan International English, International Language Institute, Lado International Institute and the State Department's EducationUSA-Russia. She has also taught young English learners at the National Defense University, DC public charter schools and DCPS. Since 2009, she has been a volunteer at the Washington English Center, where she has been a teacher, language lab instructor, librarian and online teacher and tutor.

She holds an M.S. in Literacy, Culture and Language Education from Indiana University. She also holds professional certificates in Instructional Design and Teaching English as a Foreign Language from Georgetown University, an M.A. from Indiana University, and a B.A. from Miami University.