Seeing the best in every Birmingham City School student—here’s how

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Growing up in North Birmingham, Dr. Dawn Johnson dreamed of becoming a lawyer but chose education when her mom encouraged her to pick a major she could fall back on.

Little did Johnson know her journey would lead her from special ed to assistant principal to a role working for the Birmingham Board of Education.

Johnson is also currently enrolled in the UAB School of Education’s inaugural cohort of the Educational Specialist in School Psychology program.

Meet Dr. Dawn Johnson, Educational Specialist in School Psychology student

Dr. Dawn Johnson graduated from Banks High School before becoming an educator—with advanced training in special ed, school psychometry and psychology, as well as educational leadership.

She’s the proud mom of an 8th grader who recently danced in The Nutcracker, and enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading and traveling. Johnson currently lives in Gardendale where she attends Gardendale First Baptist Church.

She aims to live a life of service to children and families through her work and through volunteering.

Her current role is Special Education Timeline Compliance Coordinator with Birmingham City Schools.

Educational Specialist in School Psychology program: Q + A

Bham Now: What prompted you to enroll in the Educational Specialist in School Psychology program?

Johnson: “In 2011, I completed a Psychometry Certification at UAB which allowed me to delve into evaluations and assessments.

Over the years, I’ve discovered that school psychology encompasses everything I love, including collaboration with community agencies to provide support to kids.”

Bham Now: How does the UAB School of Education’s Educational Specialist in School Psychology program help you in your current role?

Johnson: “I work with every school, special education teacher, psychometrist, psychology department, social-emotional department and nursing department.

The basis for school psychology is collaboration—knowing how to work with all the stakeholders and knowing how to value what everyone brings to the table.

This program helps me navigate those waters with empathy, sympathy and compassion.”

Bham Now: Tell us about the relationships you are developing in the program.

Johnson: “Dr. Stephanie Corcoran, who leads the program, has always been a really good support. Her passion comes through when she’s talking about everything she wants to do for the children of Birmingham City and other school districts.”

Bham Now: What would you say to someone who is considering the program?

Johnson: “If you want to figure out how to see the best in students and how to help others do the same, do this program.

I try to see each student and who they can become—not just who they are today, because at some point, someone did that for me, too.

If we want to see our kids succeed in the world we live in now, we’ve got to prepare them to be the best that they can be.”

Educational Specialist in School Psychology program at the UAB School of Education

The new online Educational Specialist in School Psychology program is designed for Alabama-certified school psychometrists. Participants must have received a master’s or certificate in School Psychometry before pursuing a career in School Psychology.

The role of a school psychologist is to assess, consult and provide prevention and direct intervention services that focus on learning, behavior and mental health problems.

UAB’s School Psychology program stresses the expanded role of the school psychologist beyond testing for special education.

Courses include:

• Consultation
• Interdisciplinary collaboration
• Crisis intervention
• Group + behavioral intervention.

Meet two other UAB School of Education graduates:

• Learn about one school principal’s experience with the Educational Leadership Program.
• This social studies teacher became Shelby County’s First-Year Teacher of the Year.

Take the next step in your education career. Request more information today.

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