91¶ÌÊÓƵ

This semester we are celebrating Dr Shirley Dawson’s 40 years in education, as she is starting the next chapter in her book of adventures, retirement. Born in Utah, her favorite childhood memories were with her cousins, living in the countryside, going on long walks in the fields and catching pollywogs in the streams. When she was four, she was already a good reader, so her Mom enrolled her in kindergarten. When they moved to a different school, the school had her repeat kindergarten, stating that she was too young for higher grades. It was Shirley’s Dad who taught her to value education, and he always reminded her that he could not think of a time when she did not want to be a teacher. Shirley met her husband in a science class, where they worked on dissecting frogs, a task Brett’s stomach could not handle very well. Four days before her 16 birthday, Brett asked her on a date. This upcoming fall, they will celebrate 45 years of marriage.

Shirley would tell you that her biggest accomplishments are being a mother and a grandmother, in addition to her Bachelor's in Elementary Education, Master's in Gifted Education, and Doctorate in Special Education Law. Her husband and she traveled to many places in the world, including Canada, Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Aruba, Thailand, Bhutan, Nepal, Qatar, Italy, Switzerland, Ireland, England, Scotland, Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, Martinique, and Virgin Islands, with many more travels planned for the future.

Shirley started her teaching career in 1985 when she was hired to teach 4th grade in West Jordan. Her salary started at a staggering $14,000 a year! After only two weeks, she was transferred to a new school, where she taught in a library because her classroom was still being built. She worked at South Jordan Elementary School for 7 years before she got her Master’s in Gifted Education. After working with gifted students for several years, Shirley started her Doctorate in Special Education Law at the University of Utah. She’s been at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ since 2013. When asked what her favorite thing about working at Weber was, she said: “The people I work with are my favorite thing about working at Weber; the students, the community members that I work with; the administrations that I work with (at Weber and schools), and professional organizations.” As a scholar, Shirley presented at 49 conferences, published 25 articles, was awarded close to $1.25 million in grants, and advocated annually for Special Education with the members of Congress.

Have fun in your retirement, wonderful Shirley! We will miss you!

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Tributes to Dr. Shirley Dawson

Connie Wilkinson, Student: “I have been associated with Dr. Dawson for only a short time. In that short period of time, I have learned from her. I'll be honest and say that college has always intimidated me. Neither of my parents have college degrees. This world, which is her world,  is quite unfamiliar to me. I'm sure she knows this, and I recognize that she frankly doesn't care. Her confidence in me has been considerate and valuable. She has allowed me to get a feel for things. I believe she has walked behind me, simply to offer any stabling if I teetered. I have sensed her in my shadow. I very, very much appreciate her ways. We learn through other's modeling. I hope to model what Dr. Dawson has shown to me, and to others. Some assurance and simple stabling if there's a chance of teetering.” 

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Gloria Richard, Student: “One thing I will always remember about Dr. Shirley Dawson is that she has been an exceptional mentor in the process of me becoming a teacher. She has helped me through difficult times, and has shown nothing but gentle strength, and has given so much wisdom to all the TAPT participants. I would not be where I am today if it were not for the interview I had with her over 4 years ago. She has always been cheerful and delightful to work with. I will never forget how she ended each of her emails with me. She always made me feel seen, heard, and welcome. Her bright light will not end, for I plan to help carry it with me and give to the students, I will impact in the future. Her legacy of light and truth, with a focus on the love of learning, will go on in the hearts of all of the students she has taught. She is an amazing woman who advocated for funding and the rights of others. She has shown nothing but selflessness to me. She is a great cheerleader for teacher candidates and encourages them to keep going even when there are difficult times in the present and near future. She has always been an advocate for the rights of students with disabilities and has taught teacher candidates how to fight for those same rights. She will be greatly missed in the Teacher Education Department at Weber State.”

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DeeDee Mower, Department Head: “Like an academic GPS, Shirley has always shown Sheryl and me the way. Whether in the classroom, at work, or behind the wheel while carpooling, she always got us to our destination in record time! With wisdom, humor, and a steadfast commitment to doing things the right way—always following the law (even if the speed limit was occasionally up for debate)—Shirley has been a guide in every sense. Thank you, Shirley, for being the kind of colleague, mentor, and friend who makes every journey—academic or otherwise—one to remember!”

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Jen Havig, Student: “When I began the TAPT program, she was so welcoming and compassionate with me. I was terrified to go back to school after being in the workforce for over 30 years. I interviewed with Dr. Dawson and Nate, and they made me feel like this was something I could do. I will be forever grateful. On the Fridays that we meet, she always asks me how I am doing, and I truly enjoy conversing with her. I have sent her emails in the past, and she has always been prompt in answering all of my questions. I will truly miss her.”

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Brenda Crook, Student: “Dr. Dawson has shown kindness and concern for each one of the TAPT students. She always asks how we are doing and makes sure we have what we need. I love how she ends her emails with "Cheerfully" and then her name. It makes me happy each time I read an email from her.”

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Lisa Karle, Administrative Specialist: “As you embark on this new adventure called retirement, I want to thank you for being an incredible colleague and friend. Your kindness and warmth made me feel so welcome when I joined 91¶ÌÊÓƵ, and I'll never forget how you jokingly called yourself my "problem child" due to all your travels! 

You've always been a true explorer, taking your students on amazing journeys to broaden their horizons. And let's not forget those thoughtful gifts you'd bring back for me after each trip—a testament to your generosity and thoughtfulness.

Now, it's time for you to enjoy those excursions without the paperwork! May your retirement be filled with laughter, adventure, and plenty of trinkets for yourself (because you deserve them!). You will be deeply missed, but I'm so excited for the joy and freedom that awaits you.

Here's to many more travels, and maybe this time, you can even take a nap on the plane without worrying about meeting deadlines!

Warmest wishes for a wonderful retirement!”

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Dan Pyle, Faculty: “I will always remember how hard Shirley worked and getting emails from her in the wee hours of the morning...I also was SO impressed when she landed an Institute of Education Sciences (IES) grant which is such a prestigious award and rarely given to faculty members at teaching institutions! We will miss you, Shirley!”

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Amy Church, Student: “One of the main things I have learned from Dr. Dawson is that the answer to almost every question that can be asked in our field is, "It depends. " And, “If we don't advocate for our students and our jobs, who will?” 

A favorite memory is while we were at the CEC conference, Jasmine and I had to go talk to Dr. Dawson and Dr. Alexander in their hotel room. It was getting to be bedtime, and they were both in bed in their pajamas. We were discussing a few things and Dr. Dawson had her blanket pulled up to her neck and said that she wasn't our professor right then because she was in her pajamas. It made us laugh! 

Something I will always remember is that she used to start every email with "Wonderful Amy" (or to whomever she was addressing). That always made me smile and feel important. 

Dr. Dawson is so passionate about education, and constantly encouraged us to contact our senators and legislators and advocate for education and our students. She is so knowledgeable about SpEd law and gave us good things to think about, and always made the cases we discussed and learned about into interesting stories for us to visualize.  

She is one of the most friendly people I know and can go up to perfect strangers and strike up a conversation. 

Dr. Dawson was always very patient with me and my constant barrage of questions when I would overthink things.”  

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Christine Jensen, Student: “As we gather to celebrate your retirement, I find myself reflecting on the profound impact you have had on my life and the lives of countless students throughout the years. What I will always remember about you, Dr. Dawson, is the very first time I stepped into your classroom. I was filled with anticipation and a hint of anxiety, wondering how I would fit into this new academic environment. From that moment onward, you made me feel truly seen and heard. Your warm smile and welcoming demeanor immediately put me at ease, creating a safe space where I felt valued as both a student and an individual.

Thank you invited me into the TAPT family with open arms. This was not just about learning the skills needed to become a teacher; you showed us the importance of community, collaboration, and compassion. Through your guidance, I learned that education is about fostering connections and nurturing relationships, lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my journey.

Your kindness and compassion have made all the difference in my life, and I can never thank you enough for this gift. You took the time to understand each of us as individuals, recognizing our unique strengths and challenges. Thank you for making me feel valued, and appreciated, and, most importantly, for believing in my potential. I will always cherish the conversations we shared, where your genuine interest in my well-being and growth shone through. It was abundantly clear that you had my best interests at heart, and that unwavering support motivated me to strive for excellence.

Your influence extends far beyond the confines of the classroom. The knowledge you’ve imparted, the values you’ve instilled, and the inspiration you’ve provided will echo through generations, creating a legacy defined by wisdom and compassion. You have not only equipped us with the tools to become effective educators but have also instilled in us the importance of integrity, empathy, and resilience. Because of you, I feel empowered to make a positive impact in the lives of my future students, just as you have done for me.

As I think back on the countless memorable moments you’ve created in the classroom, from those blissful ‘aha’ moments of understanding to the shared laughter that lightened our burdens during challenging times, your teaching journey has been a tapestry of beautiful memories. You have a remarkable gift for making learning enjoyable and meaningful, turning even the most daunting lessons into engaging experiences. 

You have inspired me to teach with heart, to embrace continuous learning, and to approach every challenge with grace and determination. Your example has taught me that teaching is not simply about delivering content; it is about making connections, understanding the diverse needs of students, and nurturing a love of learning that transcends the classroom walls.

Thank you for always believing in me and encouraging me to be the best version of myself. Your guidance, support, and unwavering belief in my abilities have left an imprint on my life, shaping not only the educator I aspire to be but the person I strive to become. 

As you embark on this new chapter of your life, please know that you leave behind a legacy of inspiration that will continue to resonate with all of us who have had the privilege of learning from you. Enjoy this well-deserved retirement, Dr. Dawson. You will be greatly missed, but your teachings and the love you shared will continue to inspire many for years to come. Thank you for everything; you have truly made a difference in my life.

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Shernavaz Vakil, Faculty: "Dearest Shirley, What can one say about a true ROCKSTAR like you? You are dedicated, witty, and loving, with a sharp sense of humor and charm that lights up any room. Your incredible organizational skills were evident in every conference we had together. Your meticulous planning ensured that every moment was accounted for, and we never left without experiencing it all.
Shirley, your contributions to the department, especially in special education, will be incredibly difficult to fill. But beyond that, you’ve been an amazing colleague and an even better friend. Though you may be leaving the university, your presence will remain in my heart, and I know we will continue to stay in touch. Thank you for being such a wonderful friend and for all that you’ve given. You will be missed, but I’m certain this isn’t the end of our journey together."

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Gloria Rodriguez-Caraballo, Student: "Meeting Dr. Shirley Dawson has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my journey at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ and in the TAPT program. She has been more than just a professor: she has been a role model, a fierce advocate for all students, especially those with special needs, and a constant source of inspiration to me and so many others.

Dr. Dawson's passion is visible in everything she does. Her sweet and kind demeanor is matched by her deep wisdom and hands-on teaching strategies that make learning feel meaningful and alive. She has a unique way of seeing each student's potential and making them feel seen, valued, and capable. I have learned so much from her, not only about education, but also about compassion, inclusion, and resilience.

One thing I will always remember about Dr. Dawson is the way she leads with both heart and intellect. She shows us that advocating for others is not just part of the job, but a calling, and she lives that calling every day. Her contributions to our university and to the wider community are immeasurable, and I feel so lucky and honored to have crossed paths with her.

Thank you, Dr. Dawson, for everything. You have truly made a difference in my life and in the lives of so many. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement. You will be missed dearly, but your legacy will continue in each of us."

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Jordan Johanson, Student: "What I will always remember about Dr. Dawson is that she gave me a computer monitor, speakers, keyboard, and mouse (from her own, personal extras at her own house!) when my whole computer system became unexpecdtedly fried in the middle of one of my early semesters back in school! She basically saved my bacon, inviting me to come pickup all those helpful things from her house, and helping me to continue when I was too broke to buy any replacements!

Also, I will always emulate her choice to preface speaking to us TAPT-ers (and nearly everyone else she speaks with) as: wonderful, awesome, great, et al. I use this method of hers with with my own students every day."