Johnnie L. Brown
Interim Chair, Education Department, Professor of Elementary Education Simmons Teacher Education Program (STEP) Simmons College of Kentucky
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Johnnie L. Brown is a dynamic educator and thought leader with over 30 years of experience transforming educational spaces from the classroom to the district level. As the former Program Coordinator for PVU Teach, adjunct faculty in Educational Leadership at Prairie View A&M University and now Interim Chair for Simmons College of Kentucky Teacher Education Program, Professor Brown brings a unique blend of academic insight and hands-on leadership. Her career spans roles as a school principal, senior program specialist, master teacher, and adjunct faculty member, with expertise in curriculum development, family engagement, and teacher training. She has developed family literacy models nationwide and led initiatives that have significantly improved student outcomes and community involvement.
Professor Brown is a passionate advocate for equity in education and has been honored with numerous awards, including the WRGCOE Staff and Administration Excellence Award and recognition from New Orleans Public Schools for Leadership in Family Literacy. Whether she’s leading workshops, delivering keynotes, or mentoring future educators, she inspires audiences with her commitment to student success, student responsive teaching, and transformative leadership.
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What's Now and What's Next: Family Engagement in HBCU Teacher Preparation
Family engagement is a critical component of student success, yet many teacher preparation programs struggle to provide teacher candidates with authentic opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills needed to build effective partnerships with families. This session highlights an innovative approach implemented at Simmons College of Kentucky, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), that immersed teacher candidates in meaningful family engagement experiences through community-centered events and field-based learning opportunities. This session demonstrates how HBCUs can strengthen educator preparation by intentionally embedding family engagement into program design. As schools increasingly recognize the importance of collaborative relationships with families, teacher candidates must be prepared to engage parents and caregivers as valued partners in the educational process.
Participants will learn how teacher candidates planned, implemented, and reflected upon family engagement activities that connected schools, families, and communities. The session will explore strategies used to develop candidates' communication skills, cultural responsiveness, leadership abilities, and understanding of family-centered practices. Presenters will discuss lessons learned, challenges encountered, and opportunities for expanding these experiences within teacher preparation programs.
The session is relevant to HBCUs, Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), and the broader higher education community because it offers a practical model for preparing future educators to meet the diverse needs of learners and families. Attendees will gain tools, strategies, and examples that can be adapted to a variety of institutional contexts.
Johnnie L. Brown
Interim Chair, Education Department, Professor of Elementary Education Simmons Teacher Education Program (STEP) Simmons College of Kentucky
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