About Me
Over the past 27 years, I’ve built my career around a deep belief in the power of inclusive education. I now specialize in consulting with charter schools to create learning communities that are compassionate, equitable, and inclusive while maintaining rigorous expectations. My career began in general education where I developed my passion for supporting diverse learners through differentiated instruction, collaboration, and co-teaching. That early passion led me to charter schools, where I found space to grow and lead. Midway through my journey, I stepped into leadership as a co-director, instructional leader, and special education coordinator. In these roles, I’ve helped transform school communities across three charter organizations, leading with a focus on equity, strategic planning, and data-informed decision-making. I draw on this leadership experience to support charter schools seeking to build more inclusive, effective learning environments that serve each and every child by using data to drive meaningful change and create a multi-tiered system of support.
Dawna Halama
Highlights and Results
Data-Informed Decision Making
Used data to initiate a robust Child Find system to ensure the timely identification of children with learning disabilities, increasing identified students to align with the current state average from the starting point of 7%
Implemented Data Teams facilitating the analysis of student responses to instruction resulting in a 30% increase in student achievement in reading and mathematics and a 50% decrease in referrals for Special Education over two years
Equity and Inclusion
Facilitated and monitored the implementation of School-Wide Positive Behavior Intervention and Support effectively improving school climate and decreasing discipline referrals by 50% in year one
As a member of the executive leadership team, analyzed programs and practices and advocated for inclusive provision of services
System Support
Facilitated and maintained partnership with the El Dorado Charter SELPA to ensure autonomy for its Special Education Program
Effectively created and maintained partnerships with outside agencies to ensure appropriate staffing for special education testing and service delivery
Strategically allocated fiscal and human resources to advance student achievement, meeting Local Control Accountability Plan goals and objectives
Education & Training
California Multi-Tiered System of Support, Certification
Facilitated IEP Training, Key2Ed
Certified Trainer, Decision Making for Results, Leadership and Learning, St. Louis, MO
National Board Certification: Middle Childhood Generalist, National University, San Diego, CA
Master of Arts: Reading Specialist, San Diego State University
Bachelor of Arts: Liberal Studies, San Diego State University
Core Values
Compassion: fostering empathy for students with learning differences, their families, and the entire school community.
Equity in Action: tailoring support so that everyone will thrive.
Inclusion of Every Child: ensuring that they are an integral part of the learning community.
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