Instructor
Dr. Tawio Barksdale is an IIRP instructor, author, educational consultant, and has served in various roles in K-12 public schools for over 20 years. His passion is building positive and engaging learning communities so that ALL stakeholders - especially students – can achieve their highest potential. Beginning his career as an educator in the elementary and middle school classrooms, Tawio structured his classrooms with high expectations but also as a place where all students felt like they were a part of the classroom community. Through his consulting work, he helps to equip districts and schools with assessments, strategies, and resources for creating equitable learning environments that foster access and inclusion for all students and families.
Tawio earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from South Carolina State University. He earned his Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership (OCL) from the University of Southern California. He has authored two books entitled Equitable Schooling for African American Students and First Things First; Putting Students Before Standards – A Practical Guide for Building Positive and Engaged Learning Communities.