Laurie Morrison, Ed.D

Dr. Laurie Morrison is currently an Executive Director of Instructional Leadership in Highline Public Schools, (Seattle, Washington), working with elementary school principals and their leadership teams to improve the educational experience and outcomes for students. Dr. Morrison has spent nearly 20 years in public education, as a teacher, instructional coach, new teacher mentor, school administrator, and educational consultant with the City of Seattle, Office of the Mayor and an independent contractor with Sesame Workshop. With an extensive practical and theoretical experience in early childhood and family development, Laurie was also the Director of Early Learning in Seattle Public Schools, and has consulted both nationally and internationally on child development; PreK-3 strategic planning and alignment; and social-emotional development through play. Laurie has a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Development. She holds a Master’s degree in Teaching from Antioch University, where she focused on early warning indicators that interrupt reading development; a certificate in Special Education from Glasgow University, Scotland; and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Washington. Her doctoral research centered on theories of motivation and culture in relation to the work of early career teachers and their students, which ultimately informed a revitalized, multi-year induction pipeline in Seattle Public Schools that emphasizes Culturally Responsive Pedagogy. Dr. Morrison remains committed to a vision of equitable practices and partnerships that elevate the whole child and family, and that nurtures the growth of adult social-emotional learning in tandem with student development and success.