Johnita Porter has championed for students with disabilities most of her life. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Special Education and a Master's in Teaching, Curriculum and Assessment. She also holds an Educational Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Michigan State University. Her doctoral studies involved creating a new form of educator development, with her colleagues, called the Virtual Educator Network (VEN).

 

Johnita serves as Emeritus manager and founding member of VEN Consulting, LLC.  Before retiring, she served as the Supervisor for Special Education for Plymouth-Canton Community Schools. There she created the Assistive and Instructional Technology Group (A&IT). A&IT works to provide Assistive Technology and Universal Design for Learning support for students throughout the district. Johnita's lifelong goal is to change how general education and special education work together to provide support for students. She has an interest in teacher training, specifically in the area of Universal Design for Learning, Inclusion, and Assistive Technology. She also enjoys advocating for the needs of marginalized and underrepresented groups.

 

Having been involved in a near fatal car accident in 2017, her daily rehabilitation is her full time job.  When time allows, she also enjoys traveling and creating content for her podcast, Waiting is the Hardest.