Dawn Foreman, M.Ed.

Partnership Director

Dawn is a Partnership Director serving educators and school districts across the country from her office in Northern Virginia. In her current role, Dawn has been a designer and a key facilitator of professional learning and consultation around Turnaround’s Tiered System of Supports. She manages the Tulsa Public Schools partnership as well as a number of work-streams with District of Columbia Public Schools. Dawn builds the capacity of district leaders and educators throughout the country to confront, dismantle and reimagine an education system that equitably serves students by implementing Whole-Child Design practices, grounded in scientific research, educator practice and student experience. She is passionate about and deeply committed to Whole-Child Design and Purpose and supporting the wellness of adults who serve our youth.

Dawn joined Turnaround in 2017 as a Program Director in Washington D.C. where she provided on-site support for partner schools to implement Turnaround systems and structures, and facilitated monthly professional development for school leaders. Prior to joining Turnaround, Dawn held a variety of positions within the K-12 system: she has taught grades pre-K -6, been a performance evaluation program specialist, an assistant principal and elementary school principal with Alexandria City Public Schools and District of Columbia Public Schools.

Dawn holds an M.Ed. in educational leadership and special education leadership certification from George Mason University and a B.S. in early childhood and elementary education from Bloomsburg University. Dawn is an alumnus of the American Achieves Fellowship for principals.

What motivates you?

Making a difference in the lives of students. After being a school-based leader for 13 years, I am excited to be able to help principals and their school teams harness their power in changing the lives of students with whom they work, as well as to assist them with creating a calm, predictable school environment where joyful rigor lives each and every day.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Staying true to my childhood dream of being a teacher. From about age eight, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. In high school, my guidance counselor advised me against majoring in education and told me I had to “enter the man’s world.” I completed one semester in accounting before switching my major to education. After graduation, I was not able to get a teaching job in my hometown or surrounding areas. I became a sales person for Prudential Insurance and Xerox Corporation instead. Nevertheless, the yearning to make a difference in the lives of students drove me to leave my sales job and begin my teaching career in Texas in a small border town.