Jonathan Verity is a certified NH Special Education teacher with an additional endorsement in Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities. Jon considers his journey to the education field a non-linear one. Following the attainment of his bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire in Psychology, he was uncertain which avenue would best fit his passions and talents. Jon’s family instilled the essential values of hard work, dedication, and passion at a very young age.  He witnessed the importance of these values everyday as he watched his parents build a life in America following their immigration.  It was these core values that drove him to work two odd jobs to make ends meet until he found a position that he felt he could make a difference. Jon first started his career in helping children and adolescents by accepting a position at a NH community mental health center. This experience afforded Jon the opportunity to begin working in the mental health field making a direct impact in the community by supporting families and children.  His work included assisting children and adolescents in developing functional behaviors and social skills, in addition to using cognitive reframing techniques to alter negative thinking patterns.

Following Jon’s first exposure to the mental health field, he made the decision to pursue other positions to allow him to gain more experience in working with vulnerable populations. Jon accepted a position working for the Department of Juvenile Justice at the Juvenile Detention Center as a youth counselor for incarcerated juveniles. It was this experience that sowed the seeds for a pursuit of understanding Restorative Justice practices, which was further advanced into Restorative Discipline practices in the educational setting. Jon’s final stop prior to entering the field of education was in a position for the Division of Health and Human Services as a Child Protective Service Worker in roles of both investigating claims of abuse and/or neglect and working with youth aging out of foster care.

It was the culmination of the above experiences that helped Jon to mold and shape his professional approach and knowledge base in a unique way for entering the field of education. Following the completion of his master’s degree in Education seven years ago he began working in public schools. For the last 4 years, he has overseen the development and daily operations of an Emotional and Behavioral Disorder program at Amherst Middle School in Amherst, NH. Currently, Jon is working to complete his Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership. He feels there is a significant need for school administrators with an understanding of vulnerable populations and alternative approaches to promote positive functional behaviors. Jon has also participated in intensive training in the areas of Functional Behavior Assessments, Behavior Improvement Plans, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Restorative Practices, and Executive Functioning Coaching by certified BCBAs, School Psychologists, and Social Workers. Jon’s unique education and training allows him to approach students with intensive needs in a creative way with a focus on problem solving methodologies.