Cleaster Jackson

CEO

Dr. Cleaster Jackson has received numerous local, state and national awards in the area of student performance and changing school culture.  An experienced educator with a track record of turning around low performing schools, Dr. Jackson understands the pressures school staff and administrators are under and the many jobs they have to fulfill.
Dr. Jackson has extensive training and experience in the field; from teacher, social worker, supervisor, counselor (agency and school), Special Education Supervisor, Special Education Director, Charter School Principal/Superintendent at both the high school and elementary level.
An innovative thinker, Dr. Jackson is able to positively impact systems for more effective growth by bringing community resources and services to her clients. She is a successful grant writer and professional trainer.

Dr. Jackson’s Resume

Educational Doctorate in Special Education and Educational Leadership

West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV 26506 – May 1997

Masters of Science in Counseling

University of Wisconsin in Superior, WI 54880 – August 1985

Bachelors of Science in Social Work

University of Wisconsin in Superior, WI 54880 – June 1975

Principal Certification – State of Ohio – Secondary School Principal

Principal Certification – State of Ohio – Elementary

Supervisory Certification – State of Ohio – Supervisor

Teacher Certification – State of Ohio – Teacher Special Education K-1

OTES Certified – State of Ohio – Ohio Teacher Evaluation

Georgia Certification – State of Georgia – Educational Leadership (Level 7)

Georgia Certification – State of Georgia – Special Education Curr P-12

Georgia Certification – State of Georgia – Special Education Read ELA S. S.

  • Consultant services to after school program to evaluate program effectiveness; provided data analysis of program and strategic planning to improve student outcomes
  • Provided professional development training to teachers to develop and implement effective Individual Educational Plans (IEP) according to federal and state mandates
  • Provided professional development training for managers and staff in the area of care for those with disabilities through the Ohio Private Residential Association (OPRA)
  • Wrote proposal, received federal funding to administer job training program for students with disabilities in Greene County
  • Served as an adjunct faculty at Wilmington College, Central State University, Wilberforce University, West Virginia University and Wright State University- Taught classes in the area of Special Needs, Curriculum, Inclusion Teaching, Methods, Reading, etc.,
  • Secured agreement with Greene County Mental Health Services; Daymont Behavioral Health Care to provide on site counseling services to students and families at Warner Jr High School with no charge to school district; and WOW School.
  • Served as a board member after employment with Towards Independence
  • Presented as a panel member at the Fall Council of Education and Children (CEC) State Convention on the use of 504 plans
  • Presented at the Seventh Annual National Conference of Educating Adjudicated, Incarcerated and at-risk youth.
  • Principal of Greene Academy when it was named a Blue Ribbon School and later received the US Dept. Of Education New American High School Award (NAHS)
  • Served as a panel speaker for the Blue Ribbon ceremony Washington, D.C.
  • Selected by US Dept. of Education team; served as a site reviewer for the selection of NAHS
  • Provided expert commentary for CD/ROM behavioral training tape for teachers, sponsored through a grant through the U.S., Department of Education
  • Presented at the 84th National NASSP Convention on NAHS in the area of school reform
  • Served as a grant reviewer for school grants for the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation
  • Provided numerous professional development workshops to Dayton Public School staff and administrators in the areas of:, use of data on outcome based learning, effectively using Assessment for Learning, special education, team building, etc.
  • Wrote and coordinated 300,000 grant to expand Builders Academy Program
  • Facilitated and wrote with Wayne County a grant for 289,000 to provide social services and truancy officers to Inkster High School based program.
  • Secured funding 175,000 to implement in-school suspension
  • Secured AP classes and on-line classes to students through state grant
  • Referenced in Michigan Superintendent Tom Watkins book as a person who made a difference in role as High School Principal, Inkster Michigan
  • Speaker at State Conference in Making Schools Work- Using collaborative teams in moving school scores
  • Served as Superintendent/Principal for innovation charter school (WOW) that had been in Academic Emergency since its start. In two years the school reached Continuous Improvement Status increased student performance by 16% in one year and met AYP standards
  • Received distinguished honor and placed in WVU College of Human Resources and Education 2008 Hall of Fame, due to school achievements
  • Letter of Commendation from the Board of Directors of Ohio Department of Education for 2011-2012 School Year; School has shown Academic Achievement School Rating to Continuous Improvement
  • Administrator of Excellence Award, Dayton Rotary Club, Dayton, Ohio
  • 2013 Mary Scott Legacy Award, In Recognition of dedication and commitment to Volunteer Service April 2013
  • Jackson, C., (2019) Parents & Schools: Break Down the Barriers. Principal Magazine 98,4
  • Jackson, C., (1997) Assisting marginal teachers: A training model. Principal Magazine 77,1
  • Listed in ERIC and cited in publication in relation to teacher training and teacher evaluation programs.
  • VRCB/Major Contributor University of Missouri produced training CD ROM for special education teachers and staff. Cleaster Jackson named as case commentator on this effort along with other nationally known educators
  • Recognized in the article “Power of One” in The OLIO, which is published by the College of Human Resources & Education at West Virginia University
  • Article focused in on Dr. Jackson’s contributions as one of six individuals inducted into the 2008 Hall of Fame.
  • Community Service Award for positive contributions to the Empowerment of Individuals in the Community. March 19, 1997. Presented by the Cultural Awareness Program, Mansfield Correctional Institution Ohio
  • The Victorine Louistall Monroe Award for outstanding leadership and service to the African American Community, May 10, l997. Presented by West Virginia University Center for Black Culture and Research
  • Superintendent and Board Award commending efforts towards Ohio Best Practice, Blue Ribbon, and New American High School awards to Greene Academy
  • The Governor Award Commendation for Excellent Services to Dayton Public Schools
  • Michigan State Superintendent, Award You Make the Difference Award
  • Hall of Fame Inductee, College of Education, West Virginia University, May 2008
  • WAY Program HEADLINE NEWS ArticleCleaster Jackson, former principal of Inkster High School seen as hero by former Michigan State Superintendent Tom D. Watkins (Jan 2011)
  • Solicited through fundraising efforts more than 79,000 dollars to support student ventures for Washington DC trip, Parent Training, overnight off-site seminars, and the Teach Your Passion Program.

April 1991- June 30, 2013 – Letters of Commendation from the Board of Directors of Ohio Department of Education for 2011-2012 School Year; School has Exceeded Academic Achievement and Growth Measures; School Rating to Continuous Improvement.

   (( (Charter with September 2018 – May 2021

Teacher-Case Manager for IEP students served in an inclusion setting. Provided support to students as per IEP.

January 2016 – September 2018

Volunteer/ Hired in January 2016 in role as Director of Student Supports; Provided consultation to staff in the area of special education/504. Tutored students in reading

Victory World Christian School

5905 Hollow Pkwy

Norcross, GA 30071

 

July 2004 – June 30, 2013

Principal/Superintendent of WOW School (Charter with Dayton Public School). Responsible for the overall operation of the school previous charter 2004-2006. Negotiated terms with Charter board and DPS board. School in 2 years reached recognition for outstanding academic achievement.

World of Wonder School

4411 Oakridge Drive

Dayton, OH 45417

 

August 2003 – July 2004 

Special Education Director to Dayton Public Schools 

Director Dayton Public Schools /DPS

115 S Ludlow

Sept. 2000 – Aug. 2003 – Principal

Recruited and served as principal to an underachieving  High School. Responsible for the overall operation. 

Increased enrollment; increased student performance

Inkster High School

3311 Middlebelt Rd.

Inkster, MI 48141

 

September 1997 – Sept. 2000 – Principal

Served as building principal to JROTC high school. School served at-risk population, Implemented career pathways;  on-site college classes to students that earned school honors

Dayton Public Schools

 

July 1993  -August 1994 -Associate Director (DPS)

Special Education. Promoted to (AD) supervision of all special education programs in Cluster II–15 schools-K-12.

Dayton Public Schools

Cluster II

 

April 1991-July 1993 – Supervisor (DPS)

Special Education supervisor to students’ with cognitive and emotional behavior disorders.

Dayton Public Schools

 

Sept. 1984-June 1985 Teacher (DPS)

Special education teacher 9-12. Integrated Curriculum

Meadowdale High School

 

September 1986 – April 1991 – School Counselor (XCS)

Secured agreement to have on-site counseling services available to students and parents.  Assisted in the development of work-sites for students

Warner Junior High School

578 E. Market Street

Xenia, OH 45385

September 1986- June 1986 – High school special ed. Teacher  (XCS)

August 1985 – June 1985 – Elementary special ed. Teacher (XCS)

December 1980 – September 1984 – Program Director

Provided supervision of total residential services program for adults with mental retardation and emotional/behavioral disabilities. After employment asked to serve on board.

Towards Independence

46 South Detroit Street

Xenia, Ohio 45385

 

September 1976 – November 1980 – School Social Worker

Provided case management services for 110 students with disabilities K-12. Coordinated interdisciplinary team

Duluth Public Schools #70

Duluth, Minnesota 55802

 

Taught evening classes as an adjunct staff at various Universities and Colleges. Classes included Special Education, Community Collaboration, Curriculum Planning;  Innovative college teaching held at school site with college classes held at Greene JROTC and WOW school site

Central State University

West Virginia University

Wilberforce University

Wilmington College