Tier 1 Education

Dwayne D. Williams is a school psychologist, author, and educational consultant who provides training to school districts on how to create culturally sustaining supports for culturally diverse learners. He provides training on how to integrate the cultural values of students when considering multi-tiered systems (MTSS), social emotional learning (S... EL), and trauma-informed supports. Dwaynes work with trauma did not begin as a school psychologist; it began at the age of eight, when he experienced life as a homeless child. Now, as a school psychologist and interventionist, He uses his story and success to inspire children and youth who come from traumatic backgrounds. He uses his story to provide hope and to share the message that all students can become successfulno matter their background, no matter their skin color, no matter their experiences. Dwayne is the CEO of Tier 1 Educational Coaching, an organization that helps districts adapt instructional practices to meet the cultural needs of culturally diverse learners. He is the author of 7 books, including An RTI Guide to Improving Performance of African American Students. He has used his curriculum, Like Music to My Ears: A Hip-Hop Approach to Addressing Social Emotional Learning and Trauma in Schools with hundreds of studentsand coaches practitioners through the process of creating groups that integrate SEL, cognitive behavioral therapy principles, and hip-hop culture. Dwayne is currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), where he studies curriculum and instruction.Read More