Dr. Latasha Jones

I am Dr. Latasha Jones, the mother of a 19-year-old daughter.

I received my Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Legal Studies from the prestigious John Jay College of Criminal Justice in 2006, and a dual Masters’ degrees in Education and Special Education from Mercy College in 2008, and in 2013, I received my Masters in Administration and Doctorate in Instructional Leadership–both from St. John’s University.

I am a native of New York State and reside in Yonkers, NY. I am employed as a teacher with the New York City Department of Education where I teach students with special needs. I specialize in providing educational programs for children with social, emotional and learning difficulties and those with severe academic deficits. I have been working for New York City Department of Education for the past seven years where I used to teach middle school students, but for the past 15 years, I have had an opportunity to teach high school and middle school with special needs in all subject areas. In my school, I am instrumental for being the Middle School Quality Initiative Coordinator, Service Learning Coordinator, Transition Coordinator, and being a part of the College Access Committee. I have recently been promoted to Middle School Dean of Students. My involvement has sparked a joy of learning within my students who already have so many challenges when it comes to learning.

I have been a board member for YCAP (Yonkers Community Action Program) for six years. Being part of YCAP is great because it is another way I am able to create change within the community in which I reside. I am an active member of the (NCNW) National Council of Negro Women, President of Nu Psi Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.

For the last eight years of my work in the New York city Department of Education, my students and I have been part of a program called Lead4Change. Lead4Change is a free student leadership program that creates student leaders. My students and I have created a group called The Feeding Angels. Our group has raised $45,000 which we donated back into the community to help feed more people in need. In addition to the inspiring work that I have done with my students, we have been recognized for the work that we do by Fox 5 Good Day New York, ABC News, New York 1, the Bronx Rotary Club, Educators for Excellence, and St. John’s University. On February 9, 2016, I was awarded ​The New York Knickerbockers Sweetwater Clifton “City Spirit” Award for making a significant difference in the lives of others.

In February 2015, I started my own business called Motivated Women’s Movement. I am a motivational speaker, and my goal is to motivate and inspire people’s lives. Ultimately, my goal is to promote confidence, self-esteem, awareness of personal responsibility, and the importance of obtaining an education for all children, and help them learn from their mistakes. Working with this population can be challenging at times, but I am a firm believer that “with time and effort, we can all make a difference.” Although I have taught within various content areas, history has always been most important to me. The children/people should learn about their heritage, the history of their culture, as well as the history of the world. Teaching history allows students to discover the trials and tribulations of mankind which can ultimately be applied to their own lives and be implemented as life lessons.