Parent Engagement Board

Parent Engagement Organization - Advisory Biographies

Dr. Dewana Thompson

Dr. M. Dewana Thompson is the Director of the National Training Team at the Brazelton Touchpoints Center (BTC) at Boston Children’s Hospital, where she is proud to lead and support a national and international cadre of trainers. She joined BTC as a National Facilitator in 2010 and in her current role serves as a content expert in the co-creation of professional development content in the areas of family engagement, child development, parenting support, and leadership. She brings over 25 years of experience as a trainer, researcher, educator, and administrator in family engagement. She holds a PhD in Family Studies with an emphasis in Child Development and has used her training to bridge the gap between families and providers throughout her career. She has worked as a director and coordinator of family engagement efforts at the local, state, and national levels, which was informed by her boots-on-the-ground experiences as a family engagement specialist in the early years of her career. Dr. Thompson is passionate about family engagement and has dedicated her life’s work to supporting parents and families in their role as their children’s first and most important teachers.

Dr. Otha Thornton

Previously, Mr. Thornton served on the National PTA's Board of Directors, Legislative Committee, Membership Committee, and Executive Search Committee. During his time with Georgia PTA, he served on the board of directors as legislative chair and as an advisory group member for the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education.qi Freedom, 2009–2010.

Previously, Mr. Thornton served on National PTA's Board of Directors, Legislative Committee, Membership Committee, and Executive Search Committee. During his time with Georgia PTA, he served on the board of directors as legislative chair and as an advisory group member for the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education.

Mr. Thornton also served Maryland PTA as nominating leader and board development committee chair, and as a member of Anne Arundel County’s Superintendent High Performing High School Task Force. In addition, he was appointed by the governor of Maryland to serve on a Maryland Education Task Force.

Mr. Thornton’s military background allowed him to volunteer throughout the country and the world at various local and council levels. He served as president (and earlier as vice president) of Meade Senior High School PTSA at Fort Meade, Md. He has also been a volunteer at the Kaiserslautern American Elementary and Middle School PTAs, Department of Defense Education Activity, at Vogelweh Air Force Base, Kaiserslautern, Germany; South Range Elementary School in South Range, Mich.; Houghton Elementary and Middle Schools in Houghton, Mich.; Fernandez Elementary School PTA events in San Antonio; and Richmond Hill Elementary School events in Richmond Hill, Ga.

Mr. Thornton is also active in the community. He is a member of Atlanta’s West End Church of Christ and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He is a life member of the National Eagle Scout Association and has more than 25 years of active service in the scouting program across the United States and around the world.

Mr. Thornton received his bachelor’s degree in urban studies from Morehouse College and a master’s degree in communications from Michigan Technological University. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from Michigan Technological University in 2009.

Dr. Danique Dolly

Dr. Danique Dolly is an esteemed educational leader whose profound commitment to equity and transformation has sparked innovative change in academic environments. With a Doctorate in Education from Harvard University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Brown University, and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Morehouse College, Dr. Dolly combines an exceptional educational foundation with his passion for creating inclusive learning spaces.

Dr. Dolly’s dedication to education is evident through his active role in shaping transformative initiatives that support the holistic development of every learner, especially those from underserved populations. His involvement with renowned national organizations like Big Picture Learning and impactful community programs such as the Harlem Children’s Zone highlights his unwavering commitment to meeting diverse student needs.

Recognized for his ability to inspire collaboration, Dr. Dolly fosters partnerships that enhance educational practices and promote shared growth. He believes in the power of mentorship and the exchange of knowledge to drive meaningful change, consistently seeking connections with professionals and organizations that align with his vision for a brighter, more equitable future in education.

Dr. Leona Harris

Dr. Leona Harris is a distinguished mathematician and educator whose contributions have significantly advanced the field of applied mathematics and diversified its community. She graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Spelman College and then went on to earn her doctorate in Applied Mathematics from North Carolina State University in 2001. Her doctoral dissertation, "Differential Equation Models for the Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle," was completed under the guidance of James Francis Selgrade, showcasing her expertise in mathematical modeling.

Throughout her illustrious academic career, Dr. Harris has held faculty positions at several prestigious institutions, including Bennett College, The College of New Jersey, Georgetown University, Marymount University, the University of the District of Columbia, and Spelman College. She has contributed significantly to the academic community, attaining the rank of associate professor and serving as Chair of the Division of Sciences and Mathematics at the University of the District of Columbia.

In addition to her academic roles, Dr. Harris has held substantial positions in other sectors. Prior to her current position at the American Mathematical Society (AMS), she worked as a program analyst at the Office of Science within the Center for Tobacco Products of the FDA, where her analytical skills benefited regulatory science.

Dr. Harris has played a pivotal role in promoting diversity and empowerment in mathematics. She served as Executive Director of the National Association of Mathematicians (NAM) from 2019 to 2022 and was interim president from June 2020 to January 2021. Together with Tanya Moore and Nagambal Shah, she co-founded the Infinite Possibilities Conferences, aimed at empowering women in mathematical sciences by fostering education and innovation.

Her dedication to supporting women pursuing advanced degrees is exemplified by her involvement with the EDGE program, where she was an instructor in 2008 and 2018. Dr. Harris also co-edited the book "A Celebration of the EDGE Program’s Impact on the Mathematics Community and Beyond," published by Springer in 2019, further highlighting her commitment to expanding opportunities for women in mathematics.

Dr. Leona Harris's career is a testament to her profound impact on mathematics and her relentless advocacy for an inclusive and inspiring mathematical community.

5th Advisor

We are thrilled to share that a new esteemed member will be joining our Parent Engagement Advisory Board! This additional member brings not only immense expertise but also an additional perspective that promises to expand our vision. Stay tuned for the official announcement, where we'll unveil the remarkable individual who is committed to strengthening the partnerships between parents, educators, and our board. We are eager to welcome them aboard and look forward to the meaningful contributions they will bring. Check back soon for more details!

"Positive Parent Partnerships = Student Success"