Who We Are: Jody Dobson | Ruby Laufer
Who We Are
Jody Dobson
“We focus on what’s best for each specific child. There is always a solution.”
Joseph P. (Jody) Dobson, MA
Educational Consultant
215-242-3587
JPD@dobconsult.com
Jody pursued a career in education right out of college, working every day with kids and their families for over 30 years at four nationally-respected independent schools: Greenwich Country Day in Connecticut, Chestnut Hill Academy in Philadelphia, The Town School in Manhattan and Shady Side Academy in Pittsburgh. In addition to teaching at the elementary, middle and high school levels, Jody also served in administrative positions as Director of Admission, Director of School Placement, Head of Middle School and English Department Head. He has a BA from Williams College and an MA from Columbia University Teachers College.
Jody started Dobson Educational Services in 1998, driven by the feeling that his knowledge and experience could help families make sound educational choices for their sons and daughters, with the most appropriate match to their educational, social and emotional needs. He has presented at national and local teacher conferences on educational and child development topics. Jody also regularly attends national conferences and visits schools and programs across the country and abroad.
He is a member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), the Learning Disabilities Association of America, the Small Boarding Schools Association, The Association of Boarding Schools, the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the National Council of Teachers of English, the International Dyslexia Society and the Secondary Schools Admissions Test Board (SSAT). Locally, Jody is a member of Specialists of Schools, the Health Achievement Learning Opportunities Center and the Chestnut Hill Community Association Education Committee. He is on the Board of Trustees of the IECA Foundation and a past member of the IECA Board of Directors.
Professional Development (selected) | Presentations | Activities and Associations | Previous Experience
Professional Development (selected)
- Depression and Suicide in Children and Teens (Rogers Memorial Hospital)
- WISC III Interpretation (IECA Conference, Atlanta)
- Nonverbal Learning Disability (Philadelphia Society of Clinical Psychologists)
- A.D.D. & Beyond, Edward Hallowell, M.D. (Learning Disabilities Association of Lancaster County)
- Wilson Reading System, Barbara Wilson (IDA Conference, Philadelphia)
- African-American Boys in Schools (Specialists of Schools, Philadelphia)
- Consultant Principles and Practices (IECA Conference, San Diego)
- Schools for Learning Differences (IECA Conference, Columbus)
- The Charter Schools Movement (Philadelphia Conference)
- Classroom Accommodations for LD (SOS, Philadelphia)
- Complicated Kids: Neurologically Based LD Disorders (IECA Conference, Baltimore)
- Best Practices (NATSAP, Clearwater Beach)
- Creativity and Madness (American Institute of Medical Education)
- NAIS Workshops: Mathematics Teaching; Admissions; Administration; Multicultural Assessment; Experienced Administrators
- CRIS Workshops: Community in Schools; Summer Ethics Institute
- ISM Workshops: Middle School Administration; Career Path Development
- Temple University: Course in Developmental Psychology
- Outward Bound: Educator’s Invitational
- Report Writing Workshop, Moravian Academy
- Counseling, Advising, and Effective Communications, SSATB Conference
- Schools and Programs for Children with LD, Radio Interview, WBCB
- Conferences with Parents and Children, SSATB Conference
- Schools for Children with Learning Differences, HALO Panel
- What is the Right School for My Child?, CHCA Panel
- The Good Middle School, Shady Side Academy
- Community Service in Schools, ISTA New York
- Ability Grouping, ISTA Philadelphia
- Co-Chair and Presider, MISHAP Teachers Day
- Middle School Identity, NAIS
- Middle School Networking, NAIS
- IECA: Board of Directors; Schools Committee Chair; Membership Committee
- IECA Foundation Board of Trustees
- Founding Member: Middle School Heads Association of Philadelphia
- Evaluation Committees: Milton Hershey School (Co-Chair); Westtown School; Buckley School
- Planning Committees: IECA LD, Schools and Conference Committees; Philadelphia Job Fair for People of Color; MISHAP Teacher’s Day; ISTA Teacher’s Day; NYSAIS Division Heads Conference
- Volunteer Activities: Williams College Alumni Fund, Alumni Admission Group; American Red Cross; Habitat for Humanity; Chestnut Hill Senior Center Board; Friends of the Wissahickon
- Shady Side Academy, Pittsburgh, PA: Head of Middle School
- Town School, New York, NY: Head of Upper School
- Chestnut Hill Academy, Philadelphia, PA: Head of Middle School; Director of Admissions; Dean of Admissions; English Department Chair; Summer Program Director; Teacher of English
- Greenwich Country Day School, Greenwich, CT: Teacher of Grades 4-6
