Welcome to Sankofa Educational Services

At Sankofa Educational Services, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and enriching educational experience through our specialized services. Our goal is to ensure that every educator, family, and scholar can see themselves in the curriculum, instruction, and learning community. We strive to create environments where everyone feels valued and supported, enabling them to reach their full potential.

Services

Culturally Responsive Curriculum

Multiple Intelligence Workshops 

Effective Black Parenting Workshops

Sankofa Educational Services offers a range of professional development workshops designed to help educators implement culturally responsive curricula. These workshops aim to equip teachers with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to create inclusive and equitable learning environments. Here's an overview of the typical offerings:

1. Introduction to Culturally Responsive Teaching

  • Overview: Basic principles and importance of culturally responsive teaching.
  • Content: Definitions, historical context, and foundational theories.
  • Activities: Interactive discussions, case studies, and reflective exercises.

2. Cultural Competence in the Classroom

  • Overview: Strategies to develop cultural competence among educators.
  • Content: Self-assessment tools, cultural awareness exercises, and bias recognition.
  • Activities: Role-playing, cultural immersion experiences, and group dialogues.

3. Inclusive Curriculum Design

  • Overview: Techniques for designing a curriculum that reflects diverse cultures and perspectives.
  • Content: Curriculum mapping, integration of multicultural content, and alignment with standards.
  • Activities: Lesson planning workshops, peer reviews, and resource sharing.

4. Engaging Families and Communities

  • Overview: Building partnerships with families and communities to support student learning.
  • Content: Communication strategies, community asset mapping, and collaboration models.
  • Activities: Family engagement plans, community project ideas, and panel discussions.

5. Addressing Implicit Bias in Education

  • Overview: Understanding and mitigating the impact of implicit biases in teaching.
  • Content: Bias identification, impact on student outcomes, and intervention strategies.
  • Activities: Implicit bias tests, scenario analysis, and action planning.

6. Social Justice in Education

  • Overview: Integrating social justice principles into the classroom.
  • Content: Critical pedagogy, social justice standards, and advocacy skills.
  • Activities: Social justice projects, critical discussions, and advocacy plan development.

7. Culturally Relevant Pedagogy in STEM

  • Overview: Applying culturally responsive teaching to STEM subjects.
  • Content: STEM curriculum enhancements, culturally relevant examples, and diversity in STEM.
  • Activities: STEM lesson adaptation, hands-on experiments, and collaborative planning.

8. Trauma-Informed Teaching Practices

  • Overview: Supporting students affected by trauma through culturally responsive approaches.
  • Content: Trauma awareness, resilience-building strategies, and supportive classroom environments.
  • Activities: Case studies, mindfulness exercises, and trauma-informed lesson planning.

9. Equity and Access in Education

  • Overview: Ensuring equitable access to educational opportunities for all students.
  • Content: Equity audits, resource allocation, and policy advocacy.
  • Activities: Equity action plans, resource analysis, and advocacy training.

10. Leadership for Culturally Responsive Schools

  • Overview: Empowering school leaders to foster a culturally responsive school culture.
  • Content: Leadership styles, school-wide initiatives, and professional learning communities.
  • Activities: Leadership case studies, strategic planning sessions, and networking opportunities.

Each workshop is designed to be interactive and participatory, ensuring that educators can immediately apply what they learn in their classrooms. Sankofa Educational Services tailors these workshops to meet the specific needs of different schools and districts, ensuring relevance and impact.

Sankofa Educational Services offers a variety of workshops focused on Multiple Intelligences (MI) theory, designed to help educators recognize and nurture the diverse strengths of their students. These workshops provide practical strategies to implement MI theory in the classroom, ensuring that all students can achieve their potential. Here’s a detailed overview of the MI workshop offerings:

1. Introduction to Multiple Intelligences Theory

  • Overview: Understanding Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences theory.
  • Content: The eight intelligences, theoretical background, and educational implications.
  • Activities: MI self-assessment, interactive discussions, and case studies.

2. Identifying Multiple Intelligences in Students

  • Overview: Techniques for recognizing and assessing multiple intelligences in students.
  • Content: Observation strategies, assessment tools, and student profiling.
  • Activities: Hands-on assessment exercises, student case study analysis, and portfolio creation.

3. MI-Based Curriculum Design

  • Overview: Developing curriculum and lesson plans that cater to multiple intelligences.
  • Content: Curriculum mapping, lesson differentiation, and resource selection.
  • Activities: Collaborative lesson planning, curriculum audits, and peer reviews.

4. Creating an MI-Friendly Classroom Environment

  • Overview: Designing classroom environments that support diverse intelligences.
  • Content: Classroom setup, learning centers, and resource allocation.
  • Activities: Classroom design workshops, environmental audits, and resource sharing.

5. Integrating MI into Daily Instruction

  • Overview: Practical strategies for integrating MI into everyday teaching practices.
  • Content: Instructional techniques, activity planning, and assessment adaptation.
  • Activities: Lesson simulations, instructional strategy sharing, and feedback sessions.

6. MI and Student Engagement

  • Overview: Using MI theory to enhance student engagement and motivation.
  • Content: Engagement strategies, interest-based learning, and intrinsic motivation.
  • Activities: Student interest surveys, engagement activity planning, and reflective discussions.

7. MI and Differentiated Instruction

  • Overview: Differentiating instruction using multiple intelligences.
  • Content: Differentiation models, individualized learning plans, and diverse assessment methods.
  • Activities: Differentiation planning workshops, case study reviews, and implementation strategies.

8. Technology and Multiple Intelligences

  • Overview: Leveraging technology to support multiple intelligences in the classroom.
  • Content: Educational apps, online resources, and technology integration techniques.
  • Activities: Tech tool demonstrations, integration planning, and collaborative tech projects.

9. MI and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

  • Overview: Connecting multiple intelligences with social-emotional learning frameworks.
  • Content: SEL competencies, emotional intelligence, and MI-aligned SEL activities.
  • Activities: SEL activity planning, emotional intelligence assessments, and role-playing exercises.

10. Leadership and Multiple Intelligences

  • Overview: Empowering educational leaders to promote MI-based practices in schools.
  • Content: Leadership styles, school-wide MI initiatives, and professional development.
  • Activities: Leadership case studies, strategic planning, and networking opportunities.

11. MI in Early Childhood Education

  • Overview: Applying MI theory to early childhood settings.
  • Content: Age-appropriate MI activities, early assessment methods, and developmental considerations.
  • Activities: Activity planning for young learners, early childhood case studies, and resource sharing.

12. MI and Culturally Responsive Teaching

  • Overview: Integrating MI theory with culturally responsive teaching practices.
  • Content: Cultural competence, inclusive curriculum design, and diverse teaching strategies.
  • Activities: Cultural awareness exercises, inclusive lesson planning, and group discussions.

These workshops are interactive and practical, allowing educators to gain hands-on experience and immediate strategies to implement MI theory in their classrooms. Sankofa Educational Services customizes these workshops to suit the unique needs and goals of different schools and districts, ensuring that the professional development is relevant and impactful.

Sankofa Educational Services offers workshops on Effective Black Parenting, designed to empower and support Black families in raising resilient, confident, and successful children. These workshops provide culturally relevant parenting strategies and foster community support among participants. Here is an overview of the workshop offerings:

1. Introduction to Effective Black Parenting

  • Overview: Understanding the principles and importance of culturally relevant parenting.
  • Content: Historical context, parenting styles, and foundational theories.
  • Activities: Interactive discussions, self-reflection exercises, and group sharing.

2. Building Strong Parent-Child Relationships

  • Overview: Techniques for strengthening the bond between parents and children.
  • Content: Effective communication, active listening, and emotional support.
  • Activities: Role-playing, communication exercises, and relationship-building activities.

3. Culturally Responsive Discipline Strategies

  • Overview: Implementing discipline methods that respect cultural values and promote positive behavior.
  • Content: Setting boundaries, positive reinforcement, and conflict resolution.
  • Activities: Scenario analysis, discipline strategy workshops, and peer discussions.

4. Supporting Academic Success

  • Overview: Strategies to foster a positive academic environment at home.
  • Content: Homework help, learning routines, and school engagement.
  • Activities: Homework support planning, educational resource sharing, and school partnership building.

5. Promoting Emotional and Mental Health

  • Overview: Ensuring the emotional and mental well-being of Black children.
  • Content: Stress management, emotional intelligence, and mental health resources.
  • Activities: Mindfulness exercises, stress-relief techniques, and mental health discussions.

6. Empowering Black Identity and Self-Esteem

  • Overview: Nurturing a strong sense of identity and self-worth in Black children.
  • Content: Cultural pride, positive role models, and self-esteem building activities.
  • Activities: Cultural storytelling, identity workshops, and confidence-building exercises.

7. Navigating Racism and Discrimination

  • Overview: Preparing children to face and respond to racism and discrimination.
  • Content: Awareness of racial issues, coping strategies, and advocacy.
  • Activities: Scenario role-plays, discussions on historical and current events, and advocacy training.

8. Financial Literacy and Economic Empowerment

  • Overview: Teaching financial literacy to children and promoting economic stability within families.
  • Content: Budgeting, saving, and entrepreneurship.
  • Activities: Family budgeting exercises, savings plan creation, and business idea workshops.

9. Healthy Lifestyles and Nutrition

  • Overview: Promoting physical health and nutrition within the family.
  • Content: Healthy eating habits, physical activity, and wellness routines.
  • Activities: Meal planning sessions, fitness activities, and health education.

10. Community Engagement and Support Networks

  • Overview: Building and utilizing community support systems.
  • Content: Community resources, networking, and collective parenting.
  • Activities: Resource mapping, community networking events, and support group formation.

11. Technology and Parenting in the Digital Age

  • Overview: Managing children's use of technology and online safety.
  • Content: Screen time guidelines, internet safety, and educational technology.
  • Activities: Tech usage plans, safety workshops, and app/resource reviews.

12. Effective Advocacy for Your Child’s Education

  • Overview: Advocating for your child's needs within the educational system.
  • Content: Understanding educational rights, effective communication with schools, and advocacy strategies.
  • Activities: Advocacy role-plays, IEP/504 plan discussions, and strategy development sessions.

Each workshop is designed to be interactive, practical, and culturally relevant, providing parents with tools and strategies they can implement immediately. Sankofa Educational Services ensures these workshops meet the unique needs of Black families, fostering a supportive and empowering environment.

“Sankofa Educational Services has completely transformed my child's learning experience. The tailored approach and supportive environment have made a world of difference. Highly recommend!”

Melony Willis

About us

Sankofa Educational Services is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive educational environment for learners of all backgrounds. Based in Rockford, Illinois, we specialize in providing personalized tutoring, special education support, and educational workshops. Our experienced team of educators is passionate about helping students achieve their full potential by offering tailored services that meet their unique needs. At Sankofa Educational Services, we believe that every learner deserves to feel valued and empowered, and we strive to make a positive impact in the community through our dedicated efforts.