About
It all started when…
Since Dr. Mikkaka Overstreet was a child she knew that she wanted to be an educator. From playing school in her grandmother’s garage to writing about teaching for a fourth grade “When I Grow Up” essay, the profession called to her early. Educated by excellent teachers in Louisville, Kentucky, Mikkaka’s resolve was strengthened by the love and dedication she saw in her teachers. She knew that one day she wanted to make as much of a difference in other children’s lives as they had in hers.
At the University of Louisville, Dr. Mikkaka became dual certified in elementary education and learning/behavior disorders and minored in Pan-African studies as an undergraduate student; she then went on to earn her Master's degree with an emphasis in literacy education. She worked for 5.5 years in Jefferson County Public Schools before moving to a contract position as a literacy consultant at the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE).
At KDE, Dr. Mikkaka facilitated professional learning for teachers around the state, working to strengthen implementation of the Common Core State Standards for English/Language Arts and encouraging highly effective teaching and learning. She supported teachers across Kentucky’s 173 public school districts as the editor of the state’s monthly literacy newsletter, the KDE Literacy Link. Her work with teachers increased her interest in teacher learning, her deep love of education, particularly the teaching of reading and writing, and her passion for equity and cultural responsiveness in education. In her doctoral pursuits, Dr. Overstreet engaged in research on teacher learning and change, empowering parents (particularly parents of underrepresented populations and impoverished communities), and empowering teachers to value the rich funds of knowledge that their students bring to the classroom in ways that strengthen their instruction. She continuously seeks new challenges and looks forward to a long career of exploration in education.
As a literacy professor at East Carolina University, Dr. Mikkaka worked with preservice and practicing teachers to empower and engage students through culturally responsive literacy education. She’s continuing her work supporting educators as a senior consultant at Education Northwest. Education Northwest is committed to advancing equity in education, partnering with communities across the United States to conduct research and evaluations, build organizational capacity, provide professional development, and design learning experiences that support an excellent and equitable education for all.
In her spare time, Dr. Mikkaka loves to write. She has published a children’s book, Severus Comes Home, about her beloved pet snake. She plans to turn the book into a series, and is currently seeking representation for a young adult novel (and all the other books rolling around in her head). She also writes for Book Riot, the largest independent editorial book site in North America. Dr. Mikkaka lives in North Carolina with her husband and cats.
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