Beth Ackerman Email & Phone Number

Dr. Beth Ackerman’s passion for children with disabilities and educational leadership is evident in her professional career and studies. After obtaining her bachelor’s degree, she was hired as a special education teacher at Rivermont School in Lynchburg with a classroom of students with emotional disabilities. She later became principal for Rivermont School. She earned her master’s degree in special education at the University of Lynchburg and her doctorate in educational leadership at UVA. She also served in various leadership positions across the Commonwealth, such as - Vice­ President and President of Virginia’s Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders; President and Vice President of Piedmont Area Reading Council; as well as leadership positions with Virginia's Council for Exceptional Children, and Central Virginia’s Coalition of Private Providers Association. In addition, she served on accreditation teams for VAISEF.After a decade with Rivermont Schools, she left to start the Special Education Program at a university where she served as chair and faculty of this program, before eventually becoming associate dean of online learning. This expanded her love of special education to all students, private and public-school students, wanting differentiated instruction coupled with high standards for everyone. During this time, she served 6 years as Vice-President, President Elect, and President for VACTE (Virginia's Association of Colleges of Teacher Education), as well as a founder of various student organizations, and on accreditations teams for NCATE and CAEP. She was also part of a panel for choosing the Virginia Teacher of the Year for a few years. In addition, she traveled to private schools across the USA conducting training on differentiated instruction and behavioral techniques.She has since returned to Rivermont Schools as their Senior Vice President overseeing 17 schools for students with special needs across the Commonwealth of Virginia. She combines her knowledge from various background for Rivermont School students to have success in their home schools and communities.Dr. Ackerman received a postgraduate professional license from the Virginia Department of Education which endorses her to teach elementary education, K-12 students with learning, emotional and intellectual disabilities as well as serve in administration and supervision of K-12 students. She has volunteered in the community as a CASA volunteer, and she and her husband have taken in foster children with special needs prior to her return to Rivermont Schools.