Reba Clarke-Wedderburn, Ed.D.
Dr. Reba Clarke is an educator, instructional consultant, and executive function strategist based in Gallatin, Tennessee, with more than 21 years of experience in education and leadership development. Since transitioning into consulting in 2020, her work has focused on instructional coaching, strengthening teacher practice, improving pedagogy, and advancing equitable outcomes for students. Through her consulting and coaching efforts, she partners with educators, schools, and organizations to create sustainable systems that support both teacher growth and student success. Dr. Clarke-Wedderburn is also deeply committed to supporting neurodiverse learners and professionals through executive function coaching and targeted leadership development initiatives offered through The Chanje Collective.
Over the course of her career, Dr. Clarke-Wedderburn has combined practical educational leadership with innovative program development. Most recently, she designed and developed a comprehensive special education teacher preparation program from the ground up, consisting of nearly 100 modules intended to support educator preparation programs and future special education professionals pursuing licensure. In addition to her instructional and consulting work, she is preparing to launch her own company focused on IEP auditing services for schools and districts. Using a proprietary rubric she designed and plans to trademark, her process evaluates both compliance and substantive indicators within individualized education programs, helping schools identify trends, strengthen systems, and improve long-term outcomes through data-informed reporting and continuous support.
Dr. Clarke-Wedderburn’s professional philosophy is rooted in integrity, lifelong learning, and the belief that meaningful change happens through intentional, focused work. She encourages women entering educational entrepreneurship to identify a clear niche, build strategically, and scale thoughtfully over time rather than attempting to do everything at once. Guided by strong family support and a passion for dismantling educational gaps, she remains committed to empowering educators, strengthening inclusive practices, and helping organizations create environments where both students and professionals can thrive. Her work continues to reflect a balance of educational expertise, innovation, and advocacy for sustainable, student-centered change.
• Lipscomb University Doctor of Education (EdD)
• Union University
Master's degree, Instructional Leadership
• Florida Atlantic University
Bachelor's degree
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to having a strong family. My parents had a divorce, but they were both very present, and I was completely loved. My mother passed away in 2020, but my dad is still alive, and I'm his only child, and my children are his only grandkids. I couldn't have done it without their support. It really does take a village, and I've had that support system throughout my life.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Find something you're passionate about, and a small niche. I think one thing that I tried to do when I first started was to try to do everything, but a small step can have a big impact. That's why I'm completely scaling down my service line to one thing. My goal is to offer these services over a series of months, and hopefully, like, a year contract, so they can really see the trends and see the changes over time. Don't try to do everything at once, start small and focus on making a real impact.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I always try to make sure I can sleep at night. I never do anything that goes against my values, goes against who I am as a person, to where I feel like I have completely betrayed myself. That's all you can do, is do your best. I also believe that the solution might not be what you wanted it to be, but it is what it is, and you have to be okay with that. Sometimes you might have thought it was supposed to end one way, but it ended a completely different way, but that way was better and served you more. I never do anything that goes against my values or who I am as a person.
Locations
Diverse Learners Cooperative
8011 Brooks Chapel Road, Unit 3083, Brentwood, TN 37027