Janice Wells

About Janice Wells

I am the CEO and Lead Consultant for Sankofa Education Group, Inc, a consulting company that specializes in building the capacity of individuals and teams focused on improving the teaching and learning experience from kindergarten to college. We are instructional leaders who have implemented researched-based strategies that have increased school performance metrics in one of the largest school districts in the country. As a principal, I lead the district with Freshman On-track, high school graduation and college enrollment rates. I have been dedicated to improving the quality of life for our youth by decreasing the dropout rate, building teacher capacity, developing school leadership and implementing a research-based high school strategy both at the school and district level. As Deputy Chief of High Schools, I supervised 24 principals whose schools outperformed other high schools across the district in Freshmen On-Track, Graduation and College Enrollment Rates. Utilizing the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research (CCSR) reports as a foundation, I have developed intensive strategies to increase the number of freshmen and sophomores on track to graduation and post-secondary options for students across the district. I have been trained in and continuously use the Charlotte Danielson’s Framework for Teaching as a tool to increase teacher capacity by implementing distinguished instructional practices. Having observed hundreds of classrooms across the district, country and abroad, I have impacted student learning by providing specific feedback and opportunities for teacher development. I am a trainer in group and team facilitation using the National School Reform Faculty Critical Friends Group protocols to analyze data, explore text, and create equity of voice in group discussions.I am a member of the University of Chicago, CCSR College Success Reports Advisory Board and Chicago State University Principal Preparation Program Advisory Board.

Experience

1. Principal

   Rich Township High School District 227

   Oct 2021 — Present

Education

• Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

  Bachelor of Arts (BA), English/Language Arts Teacher Education

  1989 — 1993

• Chicago State University

  Masters, Educational Leadership and Administration, General

  2004 — 2006

• Chicago State University

  Master of Arts - MA, Curriculum and Instruction

Skills

• Curriculum Development
• Classroom
• Program Development
• Leadership Development
• Teacher Training
• Staff Development
• Literacy
• Classroom Management
• Educational Technology
• Educational Leadership
• Community Outreach
• K-12
• Curriculum Design
• Lesson Planning
• Teaching
• Strategic Planning
• Instructional Design
• Higher Education
• Public Speaking