Dr. Sonya Whitaker is a highly regarded educator whose experience has included serving as Superintendent of Schools and Deputy Superintendent of Schools. She obtained National Superintendent Certification through the National Association of School Superintendents (AASA). She is also currently the National Education Policy Director for Push for Excellence (the education arm of the Rainbow Push Coalition) and the newly elected President of the South Suburban (Chicago) Alliance of Black School Educators, also referred to as SSABSE. She is a published author, blogger, host of The Sonya Whitaker Podcast 2.0 and national speaker on topics related to equity in education.

Most recently Dr. Whitaker delivered a keynote speech at the Council of Urban School Boards (CUBE) luncheon hosted at the annual National School Board Association’s (NSBA) conference held in Orlando. Florida. Dr. Sonya Whitaker is a published author. She has published a book entitled: Is There Anybody Who Can Teach Me How to Read? In April of 2010, Heinemann Educational publishing company released Dr. Whitaker’s professional development DVD entitled: The Culturally Responsive Teacher: How Understanding Culture Positively Impacts Instruction and Student Achievement.

As a national speaker, she has provided consultation in the form of keynote presentations and town hall think-tank discussions to educators, politicians, community and faith-based organizations in Washington, D.C. Atlanta, Georgia, Chicago, Peoria and Springfield, Illinois, Boston, Massachusetts, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Kentwood and Benton Harbor Michigan, Little Rock, Arkansas, San Diego, Los Angeles and Palm Springs, California, Orlando, Florida, Norfolk, Virginia, Baltimore, Maryland and Las Vegas, Nevada amongst several other states.

Her career highlights include delivering a keynote presentation at the 53rd Annual Superintendent’s Conference hosted by the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA). Her career highlights also include serving as a moderator for the National Bullying Conference hosted at Columbia College in New York, New York (event captured via the CNN network). She was also honored to deliver a keynote presentation during the Norfolk Public Schools Tidewater Regional Conference and to Superintendents from across the country at the National Superintendent’s Leadership Summit hosted by the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE) in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Whitaker and her family reside in Illinois. For more information about Dr. Whitaker, you may visit her website at sonyawhitaker.com.