Kathleen Ryan Johnson, D.Ed., is a Region 7 Comprehensive Center (R7CC) team member, specializing in providing implementation support to the R7CC technical assistance team and within capacity building projects for the states of Mississippi and Alabama. The aim of these projects is to align state, regional, and local education agency priorities in support of educators’ effective use of practices with evidence.
Dr. Johnson has extensive experience in organizational and system change in the fields of education, early childhood, juvenile justice, residential schools, and community organizations. She was drawn to the field of implementation science following her tenure in the field of educational leadership. Equity and closing long standing disparities for vulnerable populations, culturally relevant curriculum, and the interaction between a student’s sociobehavioral and academic success are always at the center of her implementation-informed support. She is passionate regarding the importance of developing a collective commitment to continuous improvement at all levels of the system so everyone can see a role to play and that policy is developed to scale and to sustain effective practice.
Dr. Johnson is the founder of the Western Implementation Society for Practice and Research, an affiliate of the Global Implementation Society.
EDUCATION: D.Ed. in educational methodology, policy, and leadership from University of Oregon; M.S. in special education from University of Oregon; B.S. in psychology from University of Oregon
AREAS OF EXPERTISE: Implementation and improvement science; Special education; Alternative education; Project-based learning; Standards based grading; Co-teaching and inclusion; Positive behavioral interventions and supports; Multi-tiered systems of support; Career and technical education; Early childhood; Juvenile justice; Residential schools; and Community partnerships
