Dr. Jermaine Dawson is the deputy superintendent of Academic Services at The School District of Philadelphia, overseeing curriculum, instruction, student support services and special education/diverse learners. He has a proven track record of raising student achievement and improving outcomes for school districts.

A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Dawson has held key leadership positions in education across multiple states, achieving notable successes in improving student outcomes, increasing graduation rates and reducing dropout rates. His work has been recognized in publications such as the New York Times and Forbes Magazine for leading his district to excel in academic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Dawson has excelled as a principal, teacher and program manager, consistently driving improvements in student achievement. His leadership resulted in the removal of underperforming schools from state failure lists and significantly raised school grades. He was named one of the 100 top influencers in education by DA Leadership and selected for prestigious educational summits worldwide. He has received accolades including a House Resolution from the Georgia State House of Representatives, worked with notable figures like Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, and was featured on NBC National News with news anchor Tom Brokaw.

Dr. Dawson holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Morehouse College, a master’s degree in educational leadership from Kennesaw State University and a doctorate in educational leadership from Northcentral University.