Amanda Jackson

Plano

Dr. Amanda Jackson has an A.A.S. in Applied Human Services, a B.A. in Liberal Arts, a M.Ed. in Counseling, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education. She currently teaches with BYU-Idaho in the Department of Home and Family Studies, with Paul Quinn College in the Psychology Department, and with UNT in the Higher Education Department. Prior to these positions, Dr. Jackson taught at a North Texas 5A Title 1 high school and was an adjunct faculty member with Eastfield College where she taught ESL and GED courses. She is a former counselor with LDS Family Services and has worked for AVID (Central Region), Austin Police Department, Dallas Metrocare, and as an independent contractor with the entity formerly called Texas Child Protective Services. Jackson’s devotion to serving others extends past her employment experience and includes volunteer service in her community. She is the Executive Director of Miracle League of Dallas, a nonprofit organization providing athletic opportunities in an inclusive setting for youth and young adults with disabilities. She serves in her church, currently teaching mental health classes to the local ward in the women’s organization, Relief Society, and served in the youth ministry, called Primary, as both a teacher and later in a leadership role. Jackson has worked with youth through athletics as a coach with the YMCA, where she later served as a Board Member, and with HRDL Performance (a summer track club). Other board service includes being on the Board and Marketing Committee for the Council for the Study of Community Colleges. Jackson served a term on Plano I.S.D.’s Special Education Parent Advisory Committee, was a member of her local elementary PTA Board and School-Based Improvement Committee, taught Junior Achievement, and was a grade-level representative at her children’s elementary school. She also served with other state and local leaders at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board regarding the implementation of policy changes related to students with an intellectual disability. Jackson is married to former Olympian and high school teacher and coach Jeffrey Jackson, and they have two teenage children.

Project Title

Creating Awareness and Collaboration to Prevent Sexual Abuse

Project Description

Jackson is creating a website, an Instagram page, and a video to raise awareness of sexual abuse with particular information about sexual abuse against those with disabilities. Jackson is also coordinating a collaborative conference in the summer of 2023 where organizations across the state will be invited to connect with one another to find ways to incorporate best practices.