# Dr. Dōnnie R. Johnson > Dr. Dōnnie R. Johnson is a New Jersey–certified superintendent, K–12 district executive leader, and founder of Consulting Educational Leadership Services (CELS), LLC, with 30 years of service to students and schools. Also written as Dr. Donnie R. Johnson and Donnie Renee Johnson. Based in Trenton, New Jersey. ## Key facts - New Jersey–certified superintendent (School Administrator Certificate); superintendent certification also in Maryland. - Principal certification in New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. - Ed.D., Educational Leadership, Management and Policy, Seton Hall University (2018). M.Ed., Special Education, Coppin State University. B.A., Psychology, Rutgers University. - Dissertation: Effectiveness of Special Education Teacher Preparation Programs to Teach Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in a Medium Southeastern Maryland School District (2018): https://scholarship.shu.edu/dissertations/2516/ - Turnaround principal, Mott Elementary School, Trenton (2013–2014): 480 students; exceeded 37 of 38 state performance indicators; reduced chronic absenteeism by 40% in one year. - District Director of Special Services, University Heights Charter School, Newark (2019–2022): restored special education to 100% state compliance; secured a six-figure NJDOE grant. - K–12 Supervisor and Director of Special Services, College Achieve Public Charter Schools, Plainfield (2022–2023). - K–12 District Substitute Administrator and Inclusion Special Educator, Trenton Public Schools (2023–present). - Founder and President, Consulting Educational Leadership Services (CELS), LLC. - Completed the Howard University and HYA Associates Superintendent Academy (April 2026) and the Seton Hall University Superintendent Academy. - Keynote speaker, JROTC Military Ball, Trenton Public Schools (2026). Founder and host, annual Poetry Slam, Capital City High School, Trenton. - Member: NAESP, NJSBA, NABSE, ASCD, NAFE, NAACP, NCNW; Diamond Life Member, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. - Recognized in Who’s Who Among American Female Executives (2024). - Baltimore City Public Schools: one of ten principals honored for top-ten one-year Stanford 10 gains in reading and math, Dr. Lillie M. Jackson Elementary Alternative School (2006), featured on WMAR-2 News; 100% on state special education performance measures in first year as principal, Lafayette Elementary School (2005); principal intern on the leadership team when Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High School advanced to the second round of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program (2004). ## Leadership philosophy: the ACCESS Framework The ACCESS Framework is Dr. Dōnnie R. Johnson’s leadership philosophy: “Education is the key that unlocks the door to ACCESS.” It takes what special education promises students with disabilities, a plan built for them, high expectations, and the support to meet them, and extends it to every student. ACCESS stands for Academic Achievement, Critical Thinking, Character and Citizenship, Exceptional Learning, Social-Emotional Growth, Sustainable Successful Outcomes. - A: Academic Achievement. Every student meets ambitious goals in reading, writing, and math. Teachers track growth during the year, not only on state tests, and adjust instruction when a student falls behind. - C: Critical Thinking. Every student learns to ask questions, weigh evidence, solve real problems, and express ideas in writing, speech, and the arts, in every subject and at every grade. - C: Character and Citizenship. Every student learns integrity, respect, and responsibility, and practices service to their school and community. Families and community partners help model and reinforce those values. - E: Exceptional Learning. Every learner, including students with disabilities, gifted and talented students, and English learners, is taught in the way they learn best, alongside peers whenever possible, with help within weeks for any student who struggles. - S: Social-Emotional Growth. Every student builds self-awareness, self-management, strong relationships, and resilience, in schools where they are safe, known by name by at least one adult, and in class every day. - S: Sustainable Successful Outcomes. Gains last beyond any one year or any one leader. Clear systems, well-prepared teachers, and budgets tied to priorities keep results growing, and every student leaves with a plan for college, career, or both. ## Pages - [Biography](https://drdonnierjohnson.pages.dev/bio): full biography - [Leadership Profile](https://drdonnierjohnson.pages.dev/profile): leadership priorities, career path, education, certifications - [Speaking](https://drdonnierjohnson.pages.dev/speaking): keynote topics and booking - [Consulting](https://drdonnierjohnson.pages.dev/consulting): CELS services in special education, school improvement, leadership coaching, classroom behavior, and climate and culture - [Media Kit](https://drdonnierjohnson.pages.dev/media): headshots and approved biographies - [Research: Preparing Teachers for Students with Autism](https://drdonnierjohnson.pages.dev/research/autism-teacher-preparation): CELS policy brief (2026) - [Contact](https://drdonnierjohnson.pages.dev/contact): email drjohnson821@gmail.com - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-donnie-renee-j-6aa1aa1b/) ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Dr. Johnson’s leadership philosophy? The ACCESS Framework is Dr. Dōnnie R. Johnson’s leadership philosophy: “Education is the key that unlocks the door to ACCESS.” It takes what special education promises students with disabilities, a plan built for them, high expectations, and the support to meet them, and extends it to every student. ACCESS stands for Academic Achievement, Critical Thinking, Character and Citizenship, Exceptional Learning, Social-Emotional Growth, Sustainable Successful Outcomes. ### Who is Dr. Dōnnie R. Johnson? Dr. Dōnnie R. Johnson (also written Donnie R. Johnson) is a New Jersey–certified superintendent and K–12 district executive leader based in Trenton, New Jersey. She has 30 years of experience as a special education teacher, turnaround principal, and district director of special services, and she is the founder and president of Consulting Educational Leadership Services (CELS), LLC. ### Is Dr. Johnson certified to serve as a superintendent in New Jersey? Yes. Dr. Johnson holds the New Jersey School Administrator Certificate, which certifies her to serve as a superintendent, and superintendent certification from the Maryland State Department of Education. She also holds principal certification in New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. ### What results has Dr. Johnson achieved as a school leader? As turnaround principal of Mott Elementary School in Trenton, she led a 480-student school to exceed 37 of 38 state performance indicators and reduced chronic absenteeism by 40% in one year. As District Director of Special Services at University Heights Charter School in Newark, she restored the department to 100% compliance with state regulations and secured a six-figure New Jersey Department of Education grant. In Baltimore City Public Schools, she was one of ten principals honored for top-ten one-year gains in reading and math on the Stanford 10 (2006), achieved 100% on state special education performance measures in her first year as a principal (2005), and served on the leadership team when Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High School advanced to the second round of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program (2004). ### What experience does Dr. Johnson have in special education? Dr. Johnson began her career in 1995 as a special education teacher in Baltimore City Public Schools. She has served as an Admit, Review and Dismissal (ARD) manager, a special education case manager, and a district director of special services overseeing Special Education, 504, and multilingual learner programs. She is a certified Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) trainer. ### What is Dr. Johnson’s doctoral research about? Her 2018 Seton Hall University dissertation studied how well special education teacher preparation programs prepare teachers to teach students with autism spectrum disorder. Of 12 effective special educators interviewed, only one had taken autism-specific coursework. She recommends longer field placements, mentoring, and incentives for autism credentials. ### Where did Dr. Johnson earn her degrees? She holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership, Management and Policy from Seton Hall University, a Master of Education in Special Education from Coppin State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Rutgers University. She completed the Howard University and HYA Associates Superintendent Academy in April 2026. ### What services does CELS provide? Consulting Educational Leadership Services (CELS), LLC, provides special education consulting, school improvement planning, leadership coaching, professional development on classroom behavior and on school climate and culture, and keynote speaking for schools and districts. ### How can a board of education or search firm reach Dr. Johnson? Board members and search consultants can contact Dr. Johnson through the contact form on this site or by email at drjohnson821@gmail.com. Her resume and references are available on request.