Faculty & Staff
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Dama Abshier, PhDProject Consultant |
Dama Abshier is a technical assistance specialist with the Florida Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Florida Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education (AWARE) Projects. Dr. Abshier earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Florida. She earned a Master of Arts (MA), Education Specialist (Ed.S.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree all in School Psychology from the University of South Florida.
Prior to joining the FLPBIS Project, Dr. Abshier worked for 17 years in Marion County Public Schools as a district administrator in a variety of capacities to include: coordinating a Behavior Support Team and Student Services Evaluation Team; overseeing School Health Services, bullying prevention, education and compliance, Section 504 education and compliance; PBIS District Coordinator (DC); professional development related to problem solving/response to intervention, multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), early warning systems, classroom management, verbal de-escalation, physical intervention, and PBIS; Code of Student Conduct, alternative placements and expulsions, alternatives to out of school suspension, diversion programs in lieu of placements/expulsions; education of detained and incarcerated youth, home education, virtual school, teen parenting program with childcare, academic fast track for overage middle school unit deficient students, and contract management of four alternative schools.
As the PBIS District Coordinator in Marion County for 11 years, Dr. Abshier has expertise in leading a large district (50+ schools serving over 43,000 students) in training all schools in the implementation of school wide PBIS, planning at the district level, and guiding leaders through classroom coaching related to classroom application of PBIS. As principle investigator for the sub-recipient of federally funded research projects, Dr. Abshier continues to work part time in Marion County supporting sustainability of the integrated systems framework (ISF) to integrate PBIS and mental health. Dr. Abshier is excited to utilize her experiences to assist school districts in their efforts to maximize positive student outcomes for all.