Breakthrough Miami

Sarah is intimately familiar with the Breakthrough model, as well as the Miami Country Day School community. Sarah served as a Teaching Fellow at Breakthrough San Francisco and Breakthrough Louisville where she taught 4th & 5th grade Math and Language Arts. Her experience as a Breakthrough Teaching Fellow ignited her career in education and teaching. At Miami Country Day School, she was Lead Teacher for 5th grade, and founder and leader of the Global Equity and Inclusion Board before leaving in 2019 to join Colorado Academy as their Director of Inclusivity. Sarah is an experienced educational leader with expertise in curriculum development, as well as the design and implementation of equity and inclusion strategies. She is an accomplished facilitator in diversity and equity issues and has more than 100 hours of professional development in working with gifted and exceptional children. Among her specialized training is certification in the Orton-Gillingham reading method and multiple K-5 subject teaching credentials. Sarah has also attended the NAIS School Leadership Institute, as well as the Multicultural Leadership Institute.

Sarah earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Ohio State University and a Master of Arts degree from the University of California - Berkeley. As Senior Site Director, Sarah will continue to develop the identity of the Breakthrough Miami program at Miami Country Day School and deepen the relationships within the school community, including students, parents, alumni, and faculty. In her role, she will be leading and guiding program planning, building and sustaining relationships and partnerships, supporting Scholars and their families, and leading the Teaching Fellow and volunteer programs. Sarah will work in partnership with school administration to ensure the success of all initiatives, including the shared commitment of both organizations to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Janyiah Olawale is an Ed enthusiast born and raised in Miami, FL. Early on in life she realized that education was important and immersed herself in school. She is a proud alumna of Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University(FAMU), where she earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology. She credits her HBCU experience with changing her life because she was encouraged to embrace her true self. Upon graduating she was selected to join Teach for America and served as a Middle School English teacher in Charlotte, NC for 3 years. After recently returning to Miami she transitioned into the nonprofit world where she can further her obsession with all things logistical!