Carol Dawson, Fulbright Leader for Global Schools, NAESP National Presenter, MEMSPA Presenter, MEMSPA Certified Mentor, M.Ed. Educational Leadership, Michigan School Administrator Certificate, BA Elementary Education and Spanish
Principal
Grant Public Schools - Grant Elementary and Primary Center
Professional Bio
Carol Dawson is an elementary principal with Grant Public Schools in Michigan and has dedicated more than 30 years to public education, including 18 years in school leadership. She currently serves as President of MEMSPA Region 12 and is passionate about helping schools create cultures where students, staff, and families thrive.
A Fulbright Leader for Global Schools, Carol was selected to study the Finnish education system and now shares practical lessons on reimagining school systems, building meaningful relationships, and designing learning environments where both students and educators flourish. She is a national presenter for NAESP, a MEMSPA presenter, and a MEMSPA Certified Mentor who enjoys coaching and supporting the next generation of school leaders.
Carol is the founder of Start Here Leadership, where she helps educational leaders rethink traditional systems and intentionally design schools centered on belonging, purpose, and student success. Through speaking, mentoring, writing, and leadership development, she encourages educators to ask one simple but powerful question: "What if we started over?"
When she's not at school, Carol enjoys traveling with her family, rock hunting along Michigan's lakeshores, creating artwork through her family business, Reframed Treasures, and sharing leadership reflections through The Dawson Diaries.
A Fulbright Leader for Global Schools, Carol was selected to study the Finnish education system and now shares practical lessons on reimagining school systems, building meaningful relationships, and designing learning environments where both students and educators flourish. She is a national presenter for NAESP, a MEMSPA presenter, and a MEMSPA Certified Mentor who enjoys coaching and supporting the next generation of school leaders.
Carol is the founder of Start Here Leadership, where she helps educational leaders rethink traditional systems and intentionally design schools centered on belonging, purpose, and student success. Through speaking, mentoring, writing, and leadership development, she encourages educators to ask one simple but powerful question: "What if we started over?"
When she's not at school, Carol enjoys traveling with her family, rock hunting along Michigan's lakeshores, creating artwork through her family business, Reframed Treasures, and sharing leadership reflections through The Dawson Diaries.
District or Organization
Grant Public Schools - Grant Elementary and Primary Center
Grant Public Schools - Grant Elementary and Primary Center
Professional Member