Agenda Item
a. PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATION FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources , 678.676.1200.
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the hiring recommendation of Dr. Darnell Logan to the position of Director of Student Relations in the Division of Student Support Services.
Details: Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources , 678.676.1200.
Contact: Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources , 678.676.1200.
Effective: Effective after Board approval.
Darnell T. Logan
EDUCATION
Lincoln Memorial University June 2009 – May 2013
Harrogate, Tennessee
Degree: Doctor of Education
Major Concentration Area: Executive Leadership
Dissertation Title: Proportions of Co-Teaching Instructional Practices of Special and General
Education Teachers.
University of West Georgia June 2007 – May 2008
Carrollton, Georgia
Certification: Administration and Educational Leadership
Major Concentration Area: Educational Leadership
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities September 2001 – June 2002
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Degree: Educational Specialist
Major Concentration Area: School Psychology
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities September 1999 – August 2001
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Degree: Master of Arts
Major Concentration Area: Educational Psychology
Thesis Title: Predicting the High School Completion Status of Students with Emotional Behavior
Disorders.
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities September 1992 - June 1998
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Major Concentration Areas: Youth Studies Development / African-American Studies / Sociology
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
DeKalb County School District June 2015 – Present
Stone Mountain, Georgia
Position: Coordinator III
Duties: Ensure compliance of special education programs including Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA); Formulates policies and procedures for new or revised programs or activities,
such as screening, placement, education, and compliance training of special education; Recruit,
hire, and supervise departmental staff. Monitor IDEA compliance.
Atlanta Psychoeducational Consulting January 2015 – Present
Atlanta, Georgia
Position: Owner
Functions: Provides comprehensive school-based psychological, behavior support, and special education
compliance/monitoring services and related educational consultation to public, private, and charter
schools. In addition, we provide comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations, clinical psychological
evaluations, and individual/family psychotherapy for children and adults.
Atlanta Public Schools December 2010 – June 2015
Atlanta, Georgia
Position: Coordinator (Psychological Services, Disproportionality, PBIS, Compliance)
Duties: Hired, supervised, and evaluated district psychologists, behavior specialists, and clerical
staff. (45 individual direct reports). Facilitated ongoing district-wide professional
development, training and consultation in special education rules/compliance, RTI, PBIS,
Section 504, and disproportionality. Lead district efforts in addressing disproportionality
in the suspension of disengaged students.
Fulton County Board of Education July 2002 – December 2010
Atlanta, Georgia
Position: School Psychologist
Duties: Collaborated with school and community-based personnel to providing a comprehensive
model of school-linked health services. Evaluated the effectiveness of academic
programs, behavior management systems, and other services. Conducted training
workshops on various educational issues. Served on the administrative team at local
high school; duties included overseeing response to intervention, Section 504
implementation, student support teams, and manifestation determination meetings.
Central Center for Family Resources August 2001 – June 2002
Spring Lake Park, Minnesota
Position: School Psychologist
Duties: Worked with children and families to provide integrated community services focusing on
psychosocial wellness and health-related issues. Incorporated a wide variety of
techniques at an individual, group, and systems level, to evaluate learning aptitudes,
personality, and emotional development.
Minneapolis Public Schools August 2001 – June 2002
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Position: School Psychologist Intern / Project Coordinator
Duties: Provided healthy and effective alternatives to teachers, parents, and administrators
about problems in learning and behavior. Recruited, hired, and supervised program staff
on a dropout prevention/school engagement project (Check & Connect)
University of Minnesota August 2000 – October 2001
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Position: Project Coordinator (Check & Connect)
Duties: Developed, presented, implemented curriculum, and programming planning for various
university research projects. Recruited, interviewed, hired, and supervised program staff
for various research projects. Worked with community agencies in developing programs
around community educational services and behavioral health initiatives (Grant funded).
Minneapolis Public Schools August 1998 – June 1999
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Position: Special Education Transition Services Instructor
Duties: Designed curriculum and taught employment readiness skills to high school students
with emotional behavior disorders. Focused on the interview process, resume, and
appearance.
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University of Minnesota August 1996 – June 2001
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Position: Research Associate (Check & Connect)
Duties: Designed, implemented, and monitored a longitudinal research project aimed at
reducing the high school dropout rate within a public school district. Conducted
workshops and training sessions on the effectiveness of the project (Grant Funded).
CERTIFICATIONS
Georgia Department of Education
School Psychology (PreK – 12) / Educational and Administration Leadership
University of Minnesota
Check & Connect Program Implementation Trainer
International Institute for Restorative Practices
Certified Restorative Practices/Conferences Trainer
National Council for Behavioral Health
Youth Mental Health First Aid - National Trainer
Cognia
Engagement Reviewer
Certified CPI Trainer Certified CPI Trainer
Crisis Prevention Institute
PUBLICATION / MEDIA
Sinclair, M. F., Christenson, S. L., Evelo, D. L., Hurley, C. M., Kau, M. Y., Logan, D. T., Thurlow, M.
L., & Westberry, D. (2001). Persistence Plus: Using Check & Connect procedures to
improve service delivery and positive post-school outcomes for secondary students with
serious emotional disturbance. (CDFA No. 84.237H). Minneapolis, MN: University of
Minnesota, Institute on Community Integration.
Television Show: Georgia Weekly, Station: GPB-TV (Georgia PBS), Episode / Topic: High School
Graduation – Facts & Research. Aired Date: January 6, 2009
PUBLIC SERVICE INVOLVEMENT
University of Minnesota September 2019 – June 2021
Educational Technology Innovation
Advisory Committee Member
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University of Minnesota August 2016 – September 2019
National Diversity Advisory Board
Board Member
Georgia State University January 2013 – January 2015
Department of Counseling and Psychological Services
Advisory Committee Member
Georgia Department of Education March 2014
School Psychology State Certification Task Force
Advisory Committee Member
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