Dr. Deak has spent more than 20 years as an educator and psychologist. The latter half of that period has focused on working with parents and teachers in their roles as guides for children. On her Web site is a quote that best describes her perspective: “Every interaction a child has, during the course of a day, influences the adult that child will become.”
Dr. Deak began her career as a teacher. She soon learned the complexity of dealing with the many brain and motivational patterns represented by the diverse students in her classes. This led to her work at Kent State University, one of only three universities in the United States to have a specialty in Preventive Psychology. Her doctoral work focused on how to assess those environmental, school, and family patterns that lead to the healthy development of children and, conversely, those patterns causing issues, problems, and disabilities.
Awards and Credentials
- Woman of Achievement Award, awarded by the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools, 2003
- Female Educator of the Year Award, awarded by Orchard House School for the first time, 2002
- Visiting Scholar in New Zealand, 2004
- Resident Scholar for the Gardner Carney Leadership Institute in Colorado Springs, 2006, 2007, 2008
Related Links
Recommended Reading List
- Girls Will be Girls: Raising Competent and Courageous Daughters. Deak, J., et al. (2002). Hyperion.
- How Girls Thrive. Deak, J. (1998). National Association of Independent Schools.
- The Book of Hope and Dreams. Aulicino, C. (1999). Laurel School.
