Greetings! 

It is my sincere pleasure to serve the students and families of Southland College Prep! I am a proud Special Education teacher, Learning Behavior Specialist, and certified English Language Arts teacher. I am dedicated to ensuring the successful development of our diverse learners. I deeply value and care for each and every student, and believe I learn and gain as much from them as they do from me.

It is my deep belief and teaching philosophy that there are many ways of learning and processing information. There is no singular, “right way" to learn or express one’s self.  Every way of learning, knowing and making sense of things is equally valid. Therefore, it is my responsibility as an educator to help my students figure out how they best learn, and to support them in accessing and expressing knowledge in that way. My goal is to see every student realize their full potential as people and as scholars. I currently teach Freshman English, American Literature, and Functional English.

My educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in English with a focus in Writing from Spelman College; a Master of Arts degree in Media Communications from Webster University; a Learning Behavior Specialist-1 (LBS-1) special education certification from DePaul University and American College of Education; and I am a Ed.D. doctoral candidate in Interdisciplinary Leadership from Governors State University.

Additionally, I am a lifelong proponent of Holistic living and wellness. It is my goal to support students and families in achieving healthy lifestyles in every facet of their being including the intellectual, spiritual, emotional, physical, financial, environmental, occupational, and social. I am an advocate for trauma-sensitive educational practices, awareness of the impact of adverse childhood experiences on learning, and the facilitation of post-traumatic growth. I am a certified yoga instructor with a focus on trauma-sensitive practice and am also trained in Mindfulness in the helping professions, employing mindfulness and contemplative practices in educational and community settings.

Please feel free to contact me at any time with your concerns, comments, or suggestions.

I can be reached via email at dgordon@scphs.org, or you may leave a message for me at the Southland Office (708)748.8105. I will return your email or call by the end of the school day.