Dr. DEBORAH L. JACKSON
Loveland,USA
Summary
Strategic educational leader with expertise in curriculum development and faculty mentorship. Enhanced academic performance in underserved populations through innovative instructional models and collaborative partnerships. Transformed a Title I school from Academic Emergency to Continuous Improvement, reducing discipline referrals and suspensions. Experienced music teacher skilled in curriculum design and fostering student engagement in musical exploration.
Overview
1
1
Certification
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Music Teacher/Elementary School Principal
PRINCETON CITY SCHOOLS
Cincinnati, USA
08.2006 - Current
- Provided mentorship and academic leadership to an urban Title I elementary school serving 450 students and 53 faculty members, with a student poverty rate of 98%.
- Guided faculty in implementing data-driven strategies, enhancing student academic performance, behavior management, classroom instruction, and family engagement.
- Served as a mentor and coach to teachers, fostering professional growth and instructional excellence.
- Successfully moved the school from Academic Emergency to Continuous Improvement status within one year.
- Spearheaded initiatives to improve equity, reduce discipline referrals by 77%, and decrease suspensions/expulsions by 68%.
- Championed the collaborative use of data to realign curriculum, enhance teaching practices, and implement innovative instructional models.
- Established after-school tutoring and mentoring program with local churches, benefiting over 95 students in grades three to five.
- Forged partnerships with local businesses and community organizations, enhancing support systems for student success.
Adjunct Professor
CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY
Wilberforce, USA
08.2011 - 08.2020
- Design and teach graduate courses in Educational Leadership and Organization, emphasizing assessment, evaluation, and culturally responsive practices.
- Mentor aspiring educators and leaders, fostering their development in instructional strategies, equity-focused leadership, and effective teaching methodologies to enhance student outcomes.
- Facilitated educational initiatives at a prominent historically black university in Wilberforce, Ohio, enhancing community engagement and academic support.
- Implemented a discipline improvement program C.H.A.M.P.S. (A Positive and Proactive Approach to Discipline).
- Worked with local L.I.N.K.S. (Philanthropic) organization to develop 'Peace Pals' for teaching peaceful problem-solving strategies.
- Founded P. T. C. O. (Parent Teacher Parent Community Organization), strengthening connections between community and school, involving organizations like Voices of the Valley, Lincoln Heights Council of Churches, Deltas Sigma Theta, Alpha Kappa Sororities, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, General Electric Company, and Seven Hills Senior Citizen Organizations.
- Coordinated with Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church to develop a comprehensive Summer School program, ensuring no instructional content loss among participating students during the school recess.
English/Language Arts Teacher, Music Teacher, Summer School Director
SYCAMORE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
Cincinnati, USA
08.1990 - 08.2006
- Oversaw all aspects of the K-5 Summer School Program, including supporting Special Education needs and leading a team of 12 teachers, six paraprofessionals, and an administrative assistant.
- Revamped the Summer School Program to strengthen support of elementary Reading/Language Arts and Math curriculum for grades K-5 resulting in student participant gains of at least one academic year as indicated on grade-level assessments.
- Executed staff recruitment, developed schedules, and managed program budget and payroll, ensuring smooth operation of the Summer School Program.
- Enhanced communication and collaboration among administrative staff, Board of Education, Central Office personnel, parents, students, and community stakeholders, fostering a supportive educational environment.
- Introduced enrichment programs, such as Personal Computer Techniques and a fine arts initiative, to provide extended learning opportunities while offsetting program costs.
- Contributed to school improvement initiatives as member of Building Leadership Team, Vice President of Sycamore Education Association, and Chairperson of various committees, promoting collaborative decision-making.
- Revitalized the fifth-grade Choral Music Program, increasing student engagement and participation to 150 students, and co-authored the Grade 5 and 6 Music Curriculum to align with district standards.
- Delivered comprehensive music education to 600 fifth- and sixth-grade students, fostering creativity and a passion for the arts.
- A school district in Southwestern Ohio, rated 'excellent' by the Ohio Department of Education
Education
Doctor of Education - Educational Leadership and Administration
Miami University
Oxford, OH08-2020
Executive Certificate - School Justice Partnership & Diversion Pathways
Georgetown University
Washington, D.C.Master of Education - Administration
Miami University
Oxford, OHMaster of Arts - Curriculum & Instruction
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CTBachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CTSkills
- Music Curriculum Design
- Program Development
- Community Engagement
- Strategic Planning
- Process Improvement
- Budget Management
- Facility Oversight
- Policy Development
- Stakeholder Collaboration
- Negotiations
- Employee Relations
- Team Leadership/Motivation
- Staff Mentorship
- Leadership development
- Mentor coordinator
- Discipline Strategies
- Equity Advocacy
Certification
CT 0000655, Ohio Department of Education, 06/30/30, Administration – Elementary Education (Preschool-8), Middle & High School (7-12), Elementary Education (Pre-K-8), English (7-12), Music Education (K-12)
Community Organizations Affiliations
- Board of Directors Member, Cincinnati Juneteenth Committee
- Board of Directors Member, H. O. M. E. Housing Opportunities Made Equal
- Minister of Music, Grace AME Church
Awards
- I Hear Music in the Air Legend Honoree, Cincinnati, Ohio, 2026
- Conversations Connection Collaborations (c3), Mount St Joseph University, Northern Kentucky University, Thomas Moore University, University of Cincinnati, Xavier University, Teacher of the Year, 2024
- Dream Keeper Award, Princeton City Schools, 2019
- Princeton City Schools – Sharonville Elementary School Teacher of the Year, 2018
- Prudence Crandall Scholarship
- Who’s Who in America
- Martha Holding Jennings Scholar Lecture Program Recipient
- Ten Most Influential Woman, Farmington, CT
Professional Organizations Affiliations
- National Education Association – Resolutions Election Committee Co-Chair
- National Education Association – Mid Atlantic Regional Chair
- Ohio Education Association – Board of Directors Member
- Southwestern Ohio Education Association – Vice President
- Princeton Association of Classroom Educators - Building Representative
- Sycamore Education Association - Vice President (Membership Chairperson)
Publications Presentations
- I Thank God for Music – A Brief Look at African American Christian Church Music and the Cincinnati Connection, Princeton City Schools Viking University, Cincinnati, Ohio, 2026
- Minority and Women’s Leadership Training Seminar to Advance Racial and Social Justice, NEA Minority and Women’s Training Seminar, Developing Community Partnership and Building Coalitions, Columbus, Ohio, 2024-2025, Baltimore, Maryland, 2024, San Francisco, California, 2024, Atlanta, Georgia, 2025, St. Louis, Missouri, 2026
- More Bold, Daring, Gutsy But Rewarding Conversations about Race, Princeton City School District: Viking University, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
- Strength In the Midst of a Perfect Storm: A Qualitative Study of a Successful School in a low SES African-American neighborhood, Dissertation, 2010
- One Size Does Not Fit All, REALLY!, Princeton City School District: Sharonville Elementary School, 2010
- Moving Towards Excellence, Lincoln Heights Elementary School Two Day Professional, 2010
- One Size Does Not Fit All, Symmes Elementary School, Sycamore Community Schools, Teacher Staff Development Day, 2006
- Working Towards Social Justice, Miami University, Educational Leadership Graduate Conference, 2006
- One Size Does Not Fit All, Sycamore Community Schools, Professional Development Workshop Day, 2005
Timeline
Adjunct Professor
CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY
08.2011 - 08.2020
Music Teacher/Elementary School Principal
PRINCETON CITY SCHOOLS
08.2006 - Current
English/Language Arts Teacher, Music Teacher, Summer School Director
SYCAMORE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
08.1990 - 08.2006
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Central Connecticut State University
Doctor of Education - Educational Leadership and Administration
Miami University
Executive Certificate - School Justice Partnership & Diversion Pathways
Georgetown University
Master of Education - Administration
Miami University
Master of Arts - Curriculum & Instruction
University of Connecticut