In the quiet hours before dawn, when most of the world was still asleep, Dr. Dawn Menge was already awake, balancing textbooks beside lunchboxes, lesson plans beside bedtime stories. Her life was a patchwork of early mornings, late nights, and moments stolen in between full-time work, parenting, and the pursuit of a dream that many would have called impossible.
She wanted to earn a Ph.D. not for prestige, not for a title but to teach future teachers. To be the voice that shaped the next generation of educators. And behind that determination was a woman who had learned resilience firsthand from her students, from her life, and most of all, from her mother.
Her ex-husband, a wildland firefighter, often worked in the most remote corners of the country. At home, Dawn managed the dual roles of full-time educator and full-time mom, while carving out time, sometimes minutes at a time to finish her Bachelor’s, then her Master’s, and finally her Ph.D. Each milestone wasn’t just academic it was personal. A testament to perseverance.
And then came her books Queen Vernita’s Educational Series and Queen Giggles Kingdom beautifully crafted worlds that turned real-life lessons into powerful stories for children. What began as a creative outlet grew into a global phenomenon, earning her over ninety international literacy awards and more than 200 film festival honors, from Hollywood Dreams to the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.
But Dr. Menge didn’t stop there. She founded Land of Quails House a haven for imagination, literacy, and inclusive education. She transformed her lived experiences into lectures, keynote speeches, and a global platform for advocacy. She became the educator she once dreamed of learning from. Her story is not one of chance it’s a story of choice. Of showing up every day. Of turning challenges into chapters and pain into purpose. Of choosing, over and over again, to make herself what she wanted to be.
This is Dr. Menge, CEO of Land of Quails House. A teacher. An author. A builder of worlds, both real and imagined. And living proof that when you write your own story, there are no limits to how far it can go.
From Classroom to Global Impact
Dr. Menge holds an impressive academic background, including an A.S. in Business Management, a B.A. in Human Development, and an M.A. as an Education Specialist with a Moderate/Severe Credential. Her educational journey began with a unique blend of academic study and hands-on experience, while working toward her associate degree, she earned college credit by volunteering in her mother’s kindergarten classroom. With three young children in tow, she immersed herself in early childhood education, learning to manage small learning centers, design educational units, and lead entire classes under her mother’s mentorship.
Her early commitment to inclusive education led her to a role as an educational assistant with the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools in the Special Education Department. At a high school that she and her children would later graduate from, she worked alongside an exceptional teacher in a classroom for students with moderate to severe disabilities. There, she learned the importance of integration and worked diligently to transition students into the broader school community.
Although she originally earned Child Development credentials to pursue a preschool teaching path, her growing passion for special education redirected her journey. She accepted a new position at an elementary campus and continued her studies, completing her B.A. while raising her children. Upon graduation, she was offered her first middle school classroom—working with many of the same students she had known in elementary school. Together with two dedicated teaching assistants, she remained with these students through high school and into an adult transition center.
During this time, Dr. Menge created innovative academic and transition-based programs. Her students participated in adapted skiing programs, launched small businesses, earned college credit, and even swam with dolphins at SeaWorld. These experiences exemplified her commitment to student growth, both academically and socially.
Her teaching philosophy incorporates a blend of approaches—including authentic learning, student-centered instruction, community involvement, and social-emotional development. She believes in nurturing academic growth while equipping students with essential transition and life skills.
Dr. Menge’s passion for education has extended well beyond the classroom. As a mentor, adjunct professor, and CEO of her literacy initiative, Land of Quails House, she continues to influence global education. Her literacy work has earned her over 90 international literacy awards and 200+ film festival honors through her beloved children’s series, Queen Vernita’s Educational Series and Queen Giggles Kingdom.
In 2025, Dr. Menge traveled to London and Scotland, where she was honored with the LOSD Education Excellence Award and Global Literacy Impact Award in the House of Commons. She also spoke at the SpringKell Castle Wellness Conference, where she presented on the importance of sharing personal experiences and building mental resilience in education. Her collaboration with the London Organization of Skills Development will continue to fuel her mission of promoting global literacy.
Recently, Dr. Menge visited Ghana to work with the nonprofit organization Cheerful Hearts, which empowers children in a fishing village with education and employable skills. She also spoke at their conference at the historic Cape Coast Castle. Her books, Queen Vernita and Queen Giggles, have become cherished reading materials in local classrooms, and students regularly share their illustrations based on the stories.
Dr. Menge’s journey is a powerful testament to perseverance, passion, and purpose. Her work continues to inspire educators, students, and communities around the world as she dedicates her life to expanding access to education and literacy.
Championing Literacy across All Abilities and Borders
In Dr. Menge’s classroom, literacy isn’t limited by a student’s disability, it’s reimagined to meet every learner where they are. Her students, who experience a wide range of moderate to severe disabilities including Autism, Down Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, visual and hearing impairments, and developmental delays follow the same core curriculum as their peers, adapted to suit their communication and cognitive needs. Whether through picture icons, speech-generating devices, written cues, or one-on-one guidance, each student is given the tools and support to access meaningful learning.
But Dr. Menge’s vision extends far beyond her classroom. Through her award-winning Queen Vernita’s Educational Series and Queen Giggles Kingdom, she is spreading literacy across the globe especially in underserved regions where education is still a luxury rather than a right. Her stories serve not only as entertainment but as gateways to learning, representation, and empowerment.
According to Data Panda’s recent global literacy analysis, the world’s lowest literacy rates are concentrated in countries such as Niger (19.10%), Guinea (30.47%), South Sudan (31.98%), and Mali (33.07%), among others. These statistics highlight a sobering truth: millions of children and adults are still denied access to basic education.
Dr. Menge sees this not as a limitation, but a call to action. By introducing her educational books to students in regions like Ghana—where she recently partnered with the nonprofit Cheerful Hearts—she’s not just donating books; she’s building bridges. Her characters have become beloved figures among children who now send her hand-drawn versions of illustrations from the stories, a heartfelt testament to how deeply the content resonates.
Dr. Menge believes literacy is the most powerful lever for social and individual transformation. “You can reach your true potential,” she often says a message she carries to every student, conference stage, and classroom she visits around the world. Her work exemplifies the idea that inclusive, adaptive education isn’t just possible it’s essential.
Through her books, mentorship, and international outreach, Dr. Menge is not only changing lives she’s helping rewrite the global literacy story, one reader at a time.
A Lifelong Learner and Advocate for Future Educators
Dr. Menge’s commitment to education is not confined to her students alone it extends to the educators of tomorrow. She continually stays at the forefront of educational innovation by attending national and international conferences and professional development workshops. With the rise of artificial intelligence in the classroom, Dr. Menge remains both open and discerning. While AI is already used in areas such as standardized testing and curriculum design, she stresses the importance of maintaining a balance: “We must ensure technology enhances, not replaces, the unique creativity and personal connection that every teacher brings to the classroom.”
Her insight into the evolving landscape of education comes not only from her decades of experience but from a personal journey marked by tenacity and sacrifice. As she pursued her Bachelor’s degree through Washington State University, Dr. Menge was among the first students to engage in distance learning. Before online platforms existed, she would receive recorded lectures on VHS tapes by mail and take exams during her lunch breaks all while working full-time and raising three young children. Yet, she persisted, earning her degree and moving forward to complete her Master’s and ultimately her Ph.D.
Her passion for higher education was driven by a specific purpose: to teach and mentor the next generation of educators. Dr. Menge understands the harsh realities many new teachers face, particularly in special education burnout, behavior management challenges, and a lack of institutional support. The statistics on early career teacher retention are sobering, especially in high-needs fields.
Through her role as an adjunct professor and mentor, Dr. Menge offers something critical: experience-backed guidance and genuine empathy. She provides a safe, supportive environment where emerging teachers can learn to lead their classrooms, manage their teams, and make a lasting impact without losing heart. For many, her mentorship is the bridge between overwhelming expectations and long-term, effective teaching careers.
What drives her? A deep sense of purpose and pride in seeing her students not just in K-12 but in teacher preparation programs reach milestones of independence, confidence, and success. For Dr. Menge, every challenge she overcame adds another layer to the guidance she now gives others. Her story is a testament to perseverance, innovation, and the transformative power of mentorship in education.
Wisdom for the Next Generation
After twenty-eight impactful years in education, Dr. Menge is approaching the next chapter of her journey with the same passion that fueled her beginnings. As she looks toward retirement from the classroom, her mission is far from complete. Through her literacy-focused company, Land of Quails House, Dr. Menge plans to continue expanding her global influence reaching classrooms across continents with educational content that bridges special education and mainstream learning.
Her advice to new lecturers is both heartfelt and rooted in hard-won experience: “Remember to ignite passion in your students for their subjects. It’s easy to get caught up in coursework and requirements, but never forget the ‘why’ behind your teaching.” Whether educating future nurses, teachers, or creatives, Dr. Menge believes that the ultimate goal of any profession is to make a meaningful impact and for educators, that begins with connection.
She emphasizes that the lecturer’s role extends far beyond delivering content; it involves ensuring students not only receive knowledge but also comprehend and apply it in the real world. The academic journey may be filled with challenges, she notes, but those hurdles are stepping stones to a greater purpose.
Even as she steps back from the traditional classroom, Dr. Menge’s commitment to educational transformation remains unwavering. With every book, speech, and mentorship opportunity, she continues to inspire students, teachers, and communities to reach their fullest potential—reminding the world that true education is not just about teaching, but about touching lives.
Growth, Impact, and the Power of Words
For Dr. Menge, success is not defined by titles or accolades, but by growth especially the kind that unfolds slowly, quietly, and with deep meaning. In her classroom, victories may not always be measured in grades or standardized scores. Instead, they come in the form of a student learning to feed themselves for the first time, mastering the use of a communication device, or navigating the city bus independently. These milestones often overlooked by traditional education models carry profound significance for her students and their families.
Her students, many of whom live with multiple disabilities, engage in real-world learning during their high school years: counting out bus passes, holding jobs in the community, practicing life skills. For Dr. Menge, each step toward independence, no matter how incremental, is a powerful testament to their resilience and a reflection of true educational success.
As an author, her definition of success expands beyond the classroom to the world stage. Through her Queen Vernita’s Educational Series and Queen Giggles Kingdom, Dr. Menge uses storytelling as a vehicle for change. For her, success lies in helping a young child discover the joy of reading, in fostering a love of learning through vibrant narratives, and in promoting global literacy, especially in underserved regions.
Her impact as a writer is extraordinary. Dr. Menge has earned ninety international literacy awards and over 200 film festival honors, including:
- Special Recognition Champion Award from Conquering Disabilities with Film
- Best Written Word from Miracle Makers Film
- Recognition from Hollywood Dreams Film Festival
- Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award
- Featured Screenplay at the San Diego Kids Film Festival
- International Author Boss Award from Power Conversations Magazine
- IOTP Special Education and Author Award
- FLUXX Special Education Teacher Award
- L.O.S.D. Education Excellence Award 2025 in London
- Author Allstar (3x)
- Success Magazine’s 2023 Women of Influence
Her written work also includes scholarly contributions such as The Six Federal Individual Education Plan Goals and the Effectiveness of Their Implementation in Preparing for Transition, further cementing her voice as both a practitioner and a thought leader in special education.
In every role educator, author, mentor Dr. Menge’s version of success is about empowering others. Whether it’s teaching a student to express themselves or inspiring a child to turn the page of their first book, her legacy is built not just on what she’s achieved, but on how deeply she’s helped others grow.
A Legacy of Empowerment, Inclusion, and Global Literacy
After nearly three decades of dedicated service in special education, Dr. Menge hopes to be remembered not just for the years she spent in the classroom—but for the impact she made within it. Her most cherished memories are not tied to accolades or awards, but to the simple, powerful moments when a student looks up and says, “I can do this myself.”
For Dr. Menge, the essence of teaching lies in fostering independence. Her goal has always been to equip her students many of whom face moderate to severe disabilities with the life and employment skills needed to transition out of special education and into the world with confidence and dignity. Central to that journey is building their self-efficacy empowering them to believe in their own capabilities, make informed decisions, and participate fully in their communities.
Beyond her classroom, Dr. Menge’s vision extends to the field of special education at large. She aspires to leave behind a legacy of greater global understanding and respect for people with disabilities, and for the educators who serve them. In an era where disability benefits and resources face increasing scrutiny, she sees her international recognition and speaking engagements as powerful platforms for advocacy. Each conference, award, and collaboration opens new doors to connect with educators, parents, and policymakers around the world helping to shift perspectives, share knowledge, and create lasting change.
As an author, her legacy is equally profound. Through her Queen Vernita’s Educational Series and Queen Giggles Kingdom, Dr. Menge is not just telling stories she’s raising literacy levels and transforming lives. She envisions a world where children and adults alike have the tools to read, write, and imagine a future filled with opportunity. Because when literacy improves, so too does access to education, to employment, to autonomy.
Whether in a classroom, at a podium, or on the page, Dr. Menge is committed to creating a future where every person, regardless of ability or background, is empowered to thrive. Her legacy is one of hearts touched, minds awakened, and barriers broken a true testament to the power of education when it is led by compassion and conviction.
