At the Heart of Healthy Communities

Inspired by her hometown, this EdD alumna is helping children thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Britnee L. Weatherspoon (EdD ’20) was born and raised in Clairton, Pennsylvania, a Mon Valley town known for its deep roots in the steel industry and storied high school football tradition.

“Football has always been woven into the fabric of my family. All of my brothers played the sport, including my brother Kevin Weatherspoon, who played at the University of Pittsburgh and earned his degree from Pitt. My father and uncles also played football, and now I’m enjoying watching my 11-year-old son discover his own love for the game,” Weatherspoon said.

Inspired by the belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive, Weatherspoon has dedicated her career to advancing K–12 education, public health, and health promotion. That commitment ultimately led her to earn a Doctor of Education (EdD) from the University of Pittsburgh School of Education.

Today, Weatherspoon serves in several roles dedicated to improving the health and well-being of children and adolescents. She is the curriculum director for Erika’s Lighthouse, a national nonprofit providing no-cost mental health education, depression awareness, and suicide prevention resources to schools in all 50 states and 28 countries.

“It’s important to recognize that mental health is a public health issue,” Weatherspoon said. “Everyone has mental health, and at some point in life, many of us will experience mental health challenges that are treatable. By talking openly about mental health and increasing access to support, we can reduce stigma and help people get the care they need.”

As youth mental health concerns continue to rise, Weatherspoon believes prevention and early intervention are more important than ever. She notes that social media has intensified challenges for many young people by increasing exposure to social comparison, cyberbullying, and unrealistic expectations.

“As a parent, it’s important to model and promote positive mental health, especially for young children,” Weatherspoon said. “Children learn from what they see, and when we make mental health a priority, we teach them that taking care of their emotional well-being is just as important as taking care of their physical health.”

A Launchpad to Leadership

In addition to her role at Erika’s Lighthouse, Weatherspoon is a Professor at Cambridge College and Bay Path University in Boston, Massachusetts. She teaches graduate students in the areas of skills-based health education and K-12 school nurse education.

Weatherspoon is also a national cadre trainer for the Dove Self-Esteem Project and is the Founder and Principal Consultant of her own educational consultancy, Ascend Educational Solutions LLC.

Reflecting on her time at Pitt, Weatherspoon credits the EdD program with preparing her to become a scholar-practitioner capable of translating research into meaningful community impact. During the program, she navigated several career transitions and personal milestones, including moving from her leadership role at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh after seven years of service.

“Those opportunities opened many doors for me,” Weatherspoon said. “I built lasting relationships with leaders in state departments of education and national nonprofit organizations while serving on numerous committees and boards of directors. Those experiences broadened my perspective and strengthened my ability to lead, collaborate, and create meaningful impact.”

She also treasures the relationships she built with classmates and faculty throughout the program.

“I developed lifelong friendships and a strong support system,” Weatherspoon said.

Creating Healthier Futures

Although Weatherspoon now lives near Washington, D.C., Clairton remains close to her heart.

Her EdD dissertation-in-practice—completed as part of her major in health and physical activity—focused on implementing classroom physical activity breaks for sixth-grade classrooms and provided a teachers’ tool kit for Clairton middle school educators. She developed it while working as an administrator at her alma mater, Clairton City School District.

Despite Clairton High School winning 15 WPIAL football championships and five PIAA state championships, active lifestyles are an issue for many youth and adults in the community, where one-third of residents live below the poverty line, according to the U.S. Census estimates.

“Getting kids to be active and engaged in regular physical activity continues to be a challenge,” Weatherspoon said. “Obesity is a significant public health concern, and many communities face barriers such as the cost of programs, limited transportation, and a lack of safe recreational spaces. Expanding access to affordable, safe opportunities for physical activity is essential to helping all children and families lead healthier lives.”

Whether as a mother, educator, curriculum developer, consultant, or advocate, Weatherspoon remains committed to creating healthier futures for young people.

“Children have always been at the heart of my work,” Weatherspoon said. “Supporting the health, well-being, and success of K–12 students is what continues to inspire and motivate me every day.”