MEET DR. TJ JACKSON - THE HOPE PUSHER

With over 20 years of experience in education, spanning from early childhood education to graduate teaching and 15 years as a certified school counselor, I have gained extensive education and experience in helping teens and young adults who have difficult lives and the adults who care for them.  For 10 years I specialized in providing intervention counseling services for students from elementary through high school with difficult lives and mental health and social-emotional needs.

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I am a Texas Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (lic.# 15299).  I  earned a B.S. in Speech Pathology and Audiology, M.S. in School Guidance and Counseling, and an Ed.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision.

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I am a trained independent facilitator of Parenting with Love & Logic TM, Love & Logic: Adults Supporting Youths with Challenging Pasts TM, and Reconnecting Youth. Additionally, I am a certified Level I Restorative Dialogue Coordinator through IRJRD.  I also have experience and training in positive and adverse childhood experiences (PACEs); trauma-informed care; and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in schools. I have served in varying capacities for multiple organizations, coalitions, and committees related to mental health and wellness.

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I have presented at several professional local, state, and national conferences, including the National Alternative Education Association annual conference, the Texas Association for Alternative Education annual conference, the Tennessee Alternative Education Association: Summer institute on Alternative and Nontraditional Education, Texas CASA: Strengthening Youth and Families conference, ESC Region XI: Counselor/Advisor Summit, and University of North Texas Equity and Diversity Conference.

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To have a life balance, I enjoy having good food with my family and friends, going to the movies, lounging in bed with a good book or YouTube channel, and playing with my dogs.