Denise Callwood-Brathwaite PhD
Dr. Denise Callwood-Brathwaite has dedicated her career to advancing special education, teacher preparation, and academic opportunity for students with disabilities, particularly within Black and Brown communities. Her educational journey began at Hampton University, the historic HBCU that has long been part of her family’s legacy, where she studied communication disorders with a focus on speech pathology and audiology. After working in the U.S. Virgin Islands, she joined the federal Teacher Core program and earned her master’s degree in mild disabilities from University of the Virgin Islands. She later served as an educational diagnostician, developing a deep expertise in assessment and intervention before pursuing her PhD in learning disabilities at University of Miami. In 1995, she began her professorial career at Florida Memorial University, where she has spent decades preparing future educators and leading transformative initiatives in special education.
As a senior faculty leader at Florida Memorial University, Dr. Callwood-Brathwaite teaches graduate-level courses in special education while directing multiple federally funded Office of Special Education Programs grants designed to strengthen the pipeline of culturally responsive educators. Through these grants, she provides scholarships, technology resources, professional development, and mentorship for teachers pursuing advanced degrees in exceptional student education. Her work focuses heavily on assessment-driven intervention, intensive Tier 3 supports, dyslexia, and learning disabilities, with a commitment to improving educational outcomes for children who often face systemic barriers. Beyond the classroom, she has served the university in leadership roles including Associate Provost and Interim Provost, chaired faculty initiatives, and co-led graduate research conferences that spotlight evidence-based practices in intervention and student achievement.
Throughout her more than 40-year career in education, Dr. Callwood-Brathwaite has remained grounded in faith, family, and service. Married for over four decades and the mother of two accomplished sons, she credits both her personal and professional experiences for shaping her mission to support students with diverse learning needs. One son, identified as twice exceptional, overcame academic challenges to pursue advanced degrees in mathematics and special education, while her younger son attended United States Military Academy at West Point and now serves as a lieutenant colonel. These experiences reinforced her lifelong belief that effective intervention, persistence, and opportunity can transform lives. Each morning, she continues a daily practice of studying current research on special education and educational equity, maintaining a discipline that has guided her work for more than two decades. Her enduring goal remains clear: to use every aspect of her expertise to serve students, empower educators, and close achievement gaps for underserved communities.
• PhD in Mild Disabilities (Learning Disabilities)
• Master's in Mild Disabilities
• Bachelor's in Communication Disorders (Speech Pathology and Audiology)
• Hampton University
Bachelor’s Degree, Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist
• University of Miami
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Special Education and Teaching
• University of the Virgin Islands
Master of Education - MEd, Special Education and Teaching
• National Association of Special Education Teachers
• Council for Exceptional Children
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a commitment to lifelong learning and a genuine passion for helping children reach their full potential. Throughout my career, I have remained dedicated to growing both personally and professionally so I can better serve students and support their educational journeys. Seeing students succeed and gain confidence has always been one of the most rewarding aspects of my work.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to never be afraid of failure, because failure often leads to growth, learning, and new opportunities. Set clear goals for yourself and approach education as a true passion rather than simply a job. When you are committed to making a difference in the lives of students, the work becomes deeply meaningful and fulfilling.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the field of special education right now is the high level of attrition and resignations among teachers. Many educators face increasing paperwork demands, limited instructional time, and compensation challenges, which can make the profession difficult to sustain long term. At the same time, there are important opportunities to strengthen the field through federal grants that support advanced degrees, technology resources, professional development, and teacher preparation programs. These initiatives can help better equip educators and improve long-term retention.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are my Christian faith, family, and persistence. I believe strongly in staying committed to my goals, even during difficult times, and maintaining a sense of purpose and resilience. Those values have guided me throughout my career and continue to shape how I serve others each day.