PROGRAM FOUNDER

JOHN DOAK, Ph.D.

Texas Woman’s University/University of North Texas Federation of North Texas Area Universities

Ph.D. in Special Education with Bilingual Education Emphasis
Texas Woman’s University
M.Ed. in Educational Administration
Austin Graduate School of Theology
B.A. in Christian Ministry

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State Professional Certifications/Licensures
Educational Diagnostician, EC-12 
Generic Special Education Teacher, EC-12 
Principal

PDAS/ILD Certified Appraiser 
PathWise Appraiser

CAEP/CEC National Program Reviewer
DEAC Subject Specialist Reviewer
Praxis III Assessor
BlackBoard Trainer

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Research Agenda

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Universal Design for Learning: Linking Educational Neuroscience to Assessment of English Language Learners with Suspected Disabilities

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Background

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In 2000, Dr. Doak began his teaching career as a probationary special education teacher for the Dallas ISD Alternative Certification Program. He later served the public and charter schools of Texas and Arkansas as a bilingual educational diagnostician, principal, and special education director.

In 2007, he became an Assistant Professor of Special Education and Program Coordinator for the Special Education Endorsement Program at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith. In 2008, Dr. Doak started development of The Texas Institute for Teacher Education. As a program reviewer for The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE; now CAEP) and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), he wanted to design a certification program that prepared teachers to help all students meet and exceed grade-level expectations. His goal was to create a flexible, low cost teacher certification program for career-changers who wanted to fulfill their dream of becoming a classroom teacher. The conceptual framework for TXITE ("Why UDL? Because every child deserves access to a personalized education.") was based upon his dissertation findings exploring educational services for English Language Learners with Disabilities.

In February 2009, the teacher certification program became a reality when the Texas State Board for Educator Certification approved TXITE to certify classroom teachers. Since then, TXITE has trained thousands of new teachers to create universally-designed learning environments and opportunities for all students.

Dr. Doak loves traveling across Texas to visit the classrooms of TXITE teachers and

witnessing UDL in practice, teachers thriving, and children learning at high levels.