Dr. Lashaunda Norman Professional Learning Instructional Support Specialist Iwakuni Complex

Dr. Judith J. Allen, DoDEA Pacific East District Superintendent, is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Lashaunda Norman as Professional Learning Instructional Support Specialist for Iwakuni Complex schools.

Dr. Norman obtained her Bachelor of Science in May 1999, and Master of Science in August 2001, from Alabama State University (ASU). Additionally, in August 2006, she received a graduate level certification in educational leadership from ASU. In December 2013, Dr. Norman went on to earn her Doctor of Philosophy in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis on strategies to improve science achievement from Kansas State University. Dr. Norman holds certifications in Biology, Chemistry, AP Biology, General Science, AVID, and Educational Technology. She has also been trained in the following areas: 21st Century Teaching & Learning by the Buck Institute-CA; Elementary & Secondary Digital Citizenship, Leading Change for Educational Equity, and Rigorous Digital Classrooms by AVID; NEXT Generation Science Standards by Georgia State Department of Education; Certified Data Trainer by the Colorado Leadership Training Center; and Culturally responsive teaching, Professional Learning Communities, and Response to Intervention (RTI) by the Kansas State Department of Education. Norman will use this knowledge to strengthen her advocacy for data usage, technology, and empowerment of teachers to help improve student outcomes.

Dr. Norman's teaching career began in January of 1999 as a science teacher for Montgomery Public Schools in Alabama. As an army spouse, Norman taught in public schools in Florida, Georgia, Kansas, and Texas before joining DoDEA. In Florida, she taught various science subjects in Title I and International Baccalaureate (IB) settings before becoming a school standards coach at the middle school level while teaching biology as an adjunct professor at the University of North Florida. In Texas, she was an Assistant Principal at the Early College for Canutillo Independent School District while teaching education courses at the University of Texas-El Paso. While completing doctoral level coursework at Kansas State University, Norman served as the Associate Executive Director of the Council for Public School Improvement (CPSI) for two years. She soon moved with her family to Fort Benning, Georgia, where she joined Muscogee County School District as a middle school science teacher for one year, and school science academic coach the following year. During the same time, she was teaching science to elementary education majors at Columbus State University. Dr. Norman became the district science academic coach when she joined DoDEA at M.C. Perry High School teaching AP Biology, Biology, and middle school science. She also served as co- chairperson of Continuous School Improvement from 2015-2017, she mentored new teachers, sponsored cheerleading, fall 2015, girls’ basketball, winter 2016, and served as Director of Far East Cheerleading, fall 2016. Dr. Norman was also an online biology instructor for the University of Phoenix from 2010 – 2017, until she was promoted to Assistant Principal at E.J. King Middle/High School from Oct 2017 – June 2021, where she helped develop a comprehensive Continuous School Improvement (CSI) Plan to improve student achievement and school culture. Dr. Norman became the Principal of Iwakuni Elementary from 2021– 2022 and has enjoyed leading the white snakes through the next steps from the internal review visits toward Cognia accreditation.

Dr. Norman is a life-long learner and has a passion for curriculum and instruction. This position will afford her the opportunity to work more closely with teachers whereby she can make an even greater impact on teaching and learning. She will continue to serve on the Pacific East steering committee as an active participate of data usage, and professional learning critical initiative workgroups.

Dr. Norman is looking forward to working with the Iwakuni complex schools and welcomes the continued support of the community in her new capacity as the Instructional Support Specialist of Professional Learning.

About DoDEA

DoDEA plans, directs, coordinates, and manages pre-kindergarten through 12th grade education programs for school-aged children of Department of Defense personnel who would otherwise not have access to high-quality public education. DoDEA schools are located in Europe, the Pacific, Western Asia, the Middle East, Cuba, the United States, Guam, and Puerto Rico. DoDEA also provides support and resources to Local Educational Activities throughout the United States that serve children of military families.