Savanna Flakes
Inclusion for a Better Future
1. Who is Savanna Flakes?
Savanna Flakes is “Possibilitarian.” I believe that everyone has gifts and talents to share with the world, potential is just the beginning, there is no limit. My mission is to inspire others to create sustainable change on topics such as inclusion, social emotional learning, and equity. She is also a fan of short introductions; I believe the way we treat each other is so much more important and is the best introduction of them all. Throw kindness around like confetti!
2. Please tell us what being a business owner means to you and why you became an entrepreneur in the first place?
One of my favorite quotes is, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Mahatma Gandhi
Being a business owner provides me with the opportunity and freedom to serve every school community, non-profit organization, and company working on diversity, equity, and the inclusion of persons with disabilities. As a servant-business leader I focus on the growth and well-being of people and communities. Inclusion For a Better Future’s mission and philosophy is to facilitate inclusive and equitable instructional practices for ALL children. We engage leaders in inclusive instructional classroom observations, provide meaningful professional development training for school communities, and collaborate with teachers to provide effective instructional coaching experiences. Our commitment is to help every community seamlessly integrate evidenced-based instructional strategies and technology into training, curriculum, instruction to support the Whole Person.
After teaching and working with parents of children with disabilities, I noticed an important need to empower schools, organizations, and communities with inclusive practices to reach ALL learners (students with disabilities, at-risk students, children of color, and english language learners). Thus, I started an education consultation company dedicated to supporting school communities learn and utilize effective instructional and inclusive practices, such as differentiation, equity, trauma informed practices, culturally responsive pedagogy, and co-teaching practices to successfully include ALL students. In just four years, I’ve been able to provide affordable and meaningful professional development sessions, teacher coaching, and planning services for school improvement plans and response to intervention systems for dozens of school communities around the world. I facilitate professional learning around the world with various organizations to prepare teacher leaders to lead colleagues in increasing student achievement and to share effective instructional practices to improve academic achievement for ALL students. Since the creation of Inclusion for a Better Future, I’ve consulted with school communities, non-profits, national conferences, and Department of Juvenile Justice systems, impacting over 130,000 teachers and at least 1,750,000 students' lives.
3. Please tell readers about your business what product or service you provide and who your target audience is?
Inclusion For a Better Future provides workshops and trainings on a range of topics to support Inclusive Practices for children and adults. The companies’ mission to support Inclusive Practices supports can be tailored for every audience, specifically, we can customize trainings to support tech companies aiming to be more inclusive for persons with disabilities or school divisions looking to foster collaboration skills amongst teachers of students with disabilities. For example, I’ve collaborated with Limited Resource Teaching Training to create a training program which trained over 400 teachers and administrators in Guyana in instructional practices for diverse learners, impacting thousands of students. The focus of this two-week training was effective instructional practices with limited resources. I’ve also worked with social workers at the Department of Juvenile Justice systems with adults on how to be more culturally competent in working with young adults. Our target audience is organizations, companies, and school districts seeking to make their communities more inclusive.
4. Savanna, you are an international consultant and motivational speaker. Please tell readers more about your experience in the speaking industry?
I consider it a privilege to learn and share with fellow thought leaders around the world. I view this blessing to learn and share best practices with countries around the world as a unifier, we share many similarities and our differences can make us stronger. I’ve served as a Keynote Speaker for the European Schools of Helsinki, South Africa Council for Exceptional Children conferences, The Central & Eastern European Schools Association (CEESA) in Warsaw Poland, and The Association of American Schools of Central America, Columbia-Caribbean, and Mexico just to name a few. This month, I am sharing my new book, “Shaking Up Special Education: Instructional Moves to Increase Achievement” with the Osiris World Education Summit. One of my favorite speaking experiences will always be my Ted Talk that I delivered for TedXLangleyEd in Canada in 2017: Inclusion and Fast Food: Designing a Meaningful Learning Experience. If you are wondering what Education and Taco Bell have in common, check out my TedTalk today. A fundamental goal in education is to design positive and inclusive learning experiences that ensure ALL students are equipped for 21st Century success. We have lessons to learn from innovative fast-food companies about designing meaningful experiences that engage and inspire all of our learners.
5. Savanna, why are you so passionate about helping students with disabilities?
My vision of providing all children with opportunity to have meaningful access to rigorous curriculum and providing adults instructional supports to include all children guides my companies’ philosophy. I believe, “Give everyone a voice, whomever they are, the world needs it.” Everyone has something to learn and something to contribute. My philosophy is that all students have gifts to share and the power of collaboration is essential to unlocking All students' academic and emotional achievement. Inclusive Practices is a mindset then, that drives your resources, professional development practices, schedules, and overall school community. As such, in strong inclusive and equitable school communities, differences are not just expected, but celebrated. Therefore, develop an asset-based mindset, give everyone a voice, an opportunity to contribute, and share their gifts…we all benefit!
6. Please tell readers how they can follow and support you on all social media platforms?
Website: savannaflakes.com
Savanna Flakes Twitter @SavannaFlakes
Facebook: Inclusion For a Better Future
LinkedIn: Savanna Flakes
Biography for Savanna Flakes
Savanna Flakes EdS, is an international consultant and motivational speaker on topics ranging from Inclusion and Equity, Emotional Intelligence, and Team Collaboration. She has delivered inspiring symposiums around the world, such as a TED Talk in Canada, and inspirational keynotes in South Africa, London, Finland, and Mexico. She owns an education consulting company specializing in Inclusive Practices, Special Education, and Social Emotional Learning. Savanna has worked with school communities around the world to build teacher leaders and support effective instructional practices for students with special needs. Savanna is also a Professor at American University, training teachers on best practices to reach and teach learners with disabilities. Savanna has received numerous honors and awards for her work on behalf of students with disabilities such as Public Service George Webber Award for Excellence in Education, U.S. Department of Education-White House Outstanding African American Educator, and an Honorary Doctorate in Humanitarian Services. Savanna has published instructional articles and her latest book, Shaking Up Special Education: Instructional Moves to Increase Student Achievement is featured on many “Top Book” list in Education. She is working to utilize her education, training, and passion to positively impact the lives of teachers, children, and families by coaching school communities on effective inclusive and equitable practices to reach ALL learners.
