What Readers Are Saying
Proverbs 356 -Testimonies
"Proverbs 356 is one of the most impactful books I have read in my career as a principal. Donzell doesn’t just tell a story, he exposes the blind spots in our systems with honesty and courage. His journey forced me to reflect on how many times we may have disciplined pain instead of addressing it. This book has reshaped how our leadership team approaches behavior, MTSS, and student support. It is required reading for any school leader committed to real, systemic change."— Dr. Angela Morris, High School Principal
Trauma Responsive Toolkit -Testimonials
Pilot School district Testimony
"After implementing The Battle-Tested Trauma-Responsive Toolkit across our district, we saw a 38% reduction in out-of-school suspensions within the first year. Discipline referrals shifted from punitive to supportive, and our MTSS documentation now clearly reflects Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 deployment with fidelity.The Trauma Context Boxes and Weekly Behavior Autopsies provided defensible documentation aligned with ESSA, IDEA, and OCR expectations. More importantly, our disproportionality data began trending in the right direction. This toolkit did not just improve climate—it strengthened our compliance posture and ensured students remained connected to instruction."— District Superintendent
What the Youth say about the Book
About The Author
Donzell Franklin’s life and leadership are rooted in the truth of Proverbs 3:5–6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” His journey is living proof of what happens when faith, obedience, and purpose intersect.
Once expelled from the public school system and labeled “one of those kids,” Donzell’s path could have ended in destruction. Instead, he trusted God through seasons of loss, trauma, and uncertainty and that trust redirected his life. What began as survival on his block, became service in schools. Donzell is a respected school leader, district-level administrator, community activist, author, and national voice for trauma-responsive education.
As the author of Proverbs 3:5-6 and creator of The Battle-Tested Trauma-Responsive Toolkit, Donzell brings a perspective shaped not by theory, but by testimony. He has lived the consequences of systems that punish pain and he has led the work of rebuilding systems that heal. His approach blends faith, structure, accountability, and compassion to create environments where students and educators can grow.
Whether writing, training educators, advising districts, coaching/mentoring youth or delivering keynotes and commencement addresses, he leads with humility and conviction, trusting God’s direction even when the path is unclear.
His testimony shows us that miracles are possible; when we stop leaning on our own understanding and trust God fully, broken paths can be straightened, purpose can be restored, and lives can be transformed.
Once expelled from the public school system and labeled “one of those kids,” Donzell’s path could have ended in destruction. Instead, he trusted God through seasons of loss, trauma, and uncertainty and that trust redirected his life. What began as survival on his block, became service in schools. Donzell is a respected school leader, district-level administrator, community activist, author, and national voice for trauma-responsive education.
As the author of Proverbs 3:5-6 and creator of The Battle-Tested Trauma-Responsive Toolkit, Donzell brings a perspective shaped not by theory, but by testimony. He has lived the consequences of systems that punish pain and he has led the work of rebuilding systems that heal. His approach blends faith, structure, accountability, and compassion to create environments where students and educators can grow.
Whether writing, training educators, advising districts, coaching/mentoring youth or delivering keynotes and commencement addresses, he leads with humility and conviction, trusting God’s direction even when the path is unclear.
His testimony shows us that miracles are possible; when we stop leaning on our own understanding and trust God fully, broken paths can be straightened, purpose can be restored, and lives can be transformed.