Sankofa

Clifton Sankofa is originally from New York. A veteran educator, administrator and school leader with national and international educational experience. He and his family have been living in Hawaii for six years where he has worked to build up youth all over the Big Island. Prior to moving to the Pacific, Sankofa served as the principal of a K-8 school in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, West Africa. Before that he was a Language Arts teacher at various African American charter schools in New York. Sankofa specializes in Literacy, Culturally Centered Learning, Vegan Cooking, Hip-Hop(e) and Social Emotional Learning

An advocate for youth across the globe, Sankofa has taught in different continents and countries. He has inspired and touched the lives of students from all over the world, many of whom still remain in contact and receive his support. When asked why Sankofa has such an impact on the lives of young people, one middle school student responded “Mr. Sankofa makes every single student feel like they are his favorite.” We are all learning in every moment at every stage of our lives. However, the foundational ideas and lessons we learn as young people have strong influences on the people we become as adults. The great Frederick Douglass once said that “It is easier to build strong children than it is to repair broken men.” With this wisdom fueling his passion, Sankofa traveled to study with educators from everywhere, absorbing and adding best practices along the way.

Whether it is teaching literacy and public speaking through Hip-Hop(e), helping young people to reclaim their health and develop a deeper connection to their cultural and ancestral roots through Eat To Live and Culturally Centered learning or helping kids develop higher self esteem practices through Social Emotional Learning, Sankofa is always committed to the constructive development of students and community members.