By Rachel Nelson
The New Citizens Press
LANSING, MI — It doesn’t matter if you see him surrounded by a group of students, talking one-on-one with a parent, or meeting with the staff, Theo Overton (or Baba Theo as he’s now known) exudes one thing – passion.
After an extensive, yet rapid superintendent search process, the board of Sankofa Shule selected Overton in March to lead the K-8, African-centered charter school. Sankofa was one of Lansing’s first charter schools, opening its doors in the fall of 1995 with 125 kindergarten through fifth grade students. The school uniquely blended African and African-American history with a Montessori-styled curriculum.
Overton was selected to lead the school, because he has a unique set of skills that made him stand out from the other candidates. He has both public and charter school experience and has worked in a variety of school settings: from rural Baldwin to suburban Troy to urban Highland Park. Overton has worked as a teacher, as reading specialist, a reading coordinator, and a principal. He is a state approved “turn-around-specialist” and has worked in high priority schools in both Flint and Detroit. He also served as the Chief Academic Officer for Green Dot Public School Academy in Inglewood, California. At Green Dot he had oversight of five high schools each with a 500-student population. Over the years Overton developed a niche for working in schools where high needs is a priority.
Overton also started his own company called Over Achieve, where he provided three services to public and charter schools: principal/coach; turnaround specialist for schools in levels 5, 6, or 7 under No Child Left Behind; and transitional administrative services for public school academies.
The combination of all of these skills made Overton the best candidate for Sankofa.
“An effective charter school leader needs to possess several important skills,” says William Brewer, CEO of Global Business Resource Group who conducted the search. “He or she should have an understanding of the total educational environment from teaching and learning to governance, they should have an entrepreneurial spirit, and a willingness to work long, hard hours and have good people skills. Theo Overton has all of these skills.”
Overton’s goal is to rebuild Sankofa’s rigorous and strong educational system. He said there are three pillars that will guide his efforts: 1.Building leadership among students, staff and parents. 2. Creating a positive self image, by using an African-centered approach to instruction. 3. Setting a standard for high academic achievement.
The board of Sankofa and Overton have a shared vision for the school – to bring it back to its founding. “The strong leadership that Theo brings to the school will help to bring it back to its initial foundation of academic excellence,” says Murray Edwards, Sankofa board president. “He also brings an understanding of charter schools, a keen vision and the fire needed to make Sankofa a place of where students will achieve.”
Sankofa’s past is rich in educational excellence, with articles in the Wall Street Journal and U.S. News and World Report from the late 1990s touting their strong academic program.
“If you look at what Sankofa means, you’ll understand what I’m trying to do,” says Overton. “Sankofa (an Akan word) means to go back to the past to understand your history in order to move forward … into the future. My vision for Sankofa begins with going back to the roots of school and then moving forward. I want to build on Sankofa’s successful past. I want to regenerate enthusiasm and the sense of community that has always defined Sankofa Shule.”
Overton says he believes that Sankofa has to partner with community organizations, like the NAACP, other social and civic groups, fraternities and sororities, as well as black churches. One of Overton’s first steps was to partner with the Lansing Chapter of the NAACP to work together on the Dr. Charles Drew blood drive to be held on April 30, 2007.
“I’m an educator. This isn’t a job for me; it’s my mission, which just happens to be a job,” says Overton. “It’s my commitment to ensure all children, regardless of zip code, are provided with an opportunity to achieve and to get past the roadblocks. I love kids, but it’s a tough love; a love with standards, expectations and parameters. A great deal of discipline is required for tough love, it has to be a norm, a requirement. I’m holding myself, this school, our parents, and the children of Sankofa responsible for their learning.”
It’s clear that Overton’s passion for children and education is infectious. It’s affecting the staff, parents and students. Everyone’s excited by his vision and goals for the school – and that’s a good thing.
To learn more about Sankofa Shule, to get a tour of the school or to talk with Theo Overton call (517) 394-4023. Sankofa Shule is located at: 4817 Bristol Road Lansing, Michigan 48910.
