Dr. Renée K. Van Norman, Educator and Founder of WellEducator LLC.

Dr. Renée K. Van Norman (she/her/hers), Educator and Founder of WellEducator LLC, is a curious, compassionate visionary with a passion for teaching and educator wellbeing. She has been an educator all her life. At twelve-years old, she started by teaching her younger sister how to read, showing her sight words on flashcards when she was still in a highchair. She even gave her sister a Cheerio when she got the word right! Renée was also a scientist at an early age, exploring her backyard and neighborhood, running experiments, and recording the results in detailed notes. She has, of course, evolved since then.

Renée’s post-doctoral career started in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the University of Oregon. As an Assistant Professor with her own mental health diagnoses, Renée learned first-hand the importance of prioritizing self-care and having a work-life balance. While in higher education, Renée taught classes in Special Education and ABA for preservice K-12 special educators. Her research during that time included the design of professional development models using strategies from ABA, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness practices to support educator wellness, classroom management, and peer coaching.

Renée later applied her knowledge and skills in early education including Early Childhood Positive Behavior Supports (EC PBIS) and teacher wellbeing at Pearl Buck Preschool, a nonprofit preschool designed for families led by parents with cognitive challenges, whose children are at risk. As Pearl Buck’s director, Renée designed, implemented, and evaluated evidence-based programming to support her staff while also supporting the children’s social and emotional development.

After six years at Pearl Buck, Renée’s vision led her to an Education Specialist position in Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education (EI/ECSE) at the Oregon Department of Education (ODE). While at ODE, she led the implementation of Practice-based Coaching, an evidence-based coaching program that supports early childhood educators’ implementation of the EC PBIS/Pyramid Model.

Throughout these experiences, Renée witnessed first-hand the need to support the wellbeing of our education workforce. Today, through WellEducator, Renée is using her research and expertise in evidence-based teaching practices, her personal story, and her vision to advocate for and increase educator wellbeing by offering research-based workshops and facilitating innovative wellness communities. Renée’s passion for educator wellbeing and her effective presentations engage participants, inspiring them to define and follow their own wellbeing plan for the betterment of themselves, their students, and the institution in which they serve.