Dr. Takiwi
Chief Academic Officer
Transforming School Systems. Elevating Student Outcomes. Building Lasting Impact.
Dr. Takiwi helps school districts move from good intentions to measurable results. With more than 18 years of experience in public education, she brings a rare combination of instructional expertise, executive leadership, fiscal strategy, and school turnaround experience. Her work is rooted in one clear standard: systems must be designed to improve outcomes for students—not simply maintain operations.
Under her leadership, she interrupted more than ten years of declining performance and led systemwide improvements that increased accreditation rates, strengthened student engagement, and elevated achievement — earning recognition from Governor Youngkin and an invitation to present to the Virginia State Board of Education. She has managed budgets of up to $36 million, aligning people, programs, and resources to the initiatives most likely to improve student success.
A proven catalyst for school improvement, Dr. Takiwi has helped underperforming schools move toward stronger accreditation outcomes, with more than 80% of schools and programs meeting progressive state academic targets. Her leadership centers on building equitable, student-centered learning environments by empowering school leaders and educators, implementing data-driven interventions, and aligning resources to college, career, and civic readiness.
Dr. Takiwi partners with school districts, educational organizations, and leadership teams to diagnose barriers, strengthen instructional systems, and turn ambitious goals into sustainable progress.
Every student. Every day. No exceptions.
Areas of Expertise
- School and district turnaround
- Strategic academic planning
- Instructional systems improvement
- Data-driven accountability
- MTSS and student support systems
- Leadership coaching and development
- College, career, and civic readiness
- Budget and resource alignment
- 19+Years in Education
- 75+Schools Led
- 35,000+Students Impacted
Transforming Schools, Rewriting Outcomes
Dr. Takiwi's leadership journey began in the mathematics classroom, where she saw firsthand how strong instruction, high expectations, and intentional support can change a student's future. That foundation shaped her career as a teacher, instructional coach, curriculum leader, district strategist, and Chief Academic Officer.
At every level, her work has focused on building the systems adults need so students can access the opportunities they deserve. Dr. Takiwi is known for leading with clarity, courage, and execution. She believes meaningful improvement requires more than vision statements and strategic plans. It requires disciplined implementation, honest data conversations, aligned resources, and leaders who are willing to make decisions in the best interest of students.
Her leadership reflects both the urgency of school improvement and the patience required to build systems that last. She understands that sustainable transformation is not created through isolated initiatives, but through aligned expectations, strong instructional practice, responsive supports, and shared accountability. Her work is grounded in a simple but demanding belief: Excellence is never about doing the minimum. It is about going the extra mile so students, educators, and communities can thrive.
For Dr. Takiwi, transformation is not a slogan. It is a responsibility.
A Record of Measurable Change
The numbers tell the story. Under Dr. Takiwi's leadership, Danville Public Schools moved from Virginia's lowest-performing district to a statewide model — with gains reaching every corner of the system, from achievement and attendance to school culture and financial stewardship.
- 50% → 86%College & Career Readiness
- 72% → 88%Student Attendance Growth
- 73% → 87%Graduation Rate Gains
- $36M+Budget Leadership
- 100%Increase in Fully Accredited Schools
- 80%State Accountability Rating
- +50 ptsGeometry Gains
- 55%Suspension Reduction
- $20.6MGrant Funding Secured
- 6 of 10Schools Recognized Regionally
- 333 → 2,551Advanced Learning Expansion
- 82%IB/AP Participation Growth
- 80%Turnaround Schools Advanced
- 65+Policies Modernized
- +30 ptsLiteracy Gains
- +33 ptsScience Gains
“Excellence is never about doing the minimum — it's about going the extra mile.”
Professional Experience
A track record of strategic leadership and transformative educational outcomes across diverse district environments.
Chief Academic Officer
2021 - PresentDanville Public Schools, Virginia
Executive cabinet member leading strategic reforms across 15 schools and 7 departments, impacting 5,500+ students in Virginia’s formerly lowest-performing district. Managed a $36M budget to drive instructional excellence, equitable access, and historic student outcomes.
- Increased fully accredited schools by 100% — largest growth in over a decade
- Honored by Governor Youngkin as one of six divisions statewide for groundbreaking achievement
- Boosted attendance from 72% to 88% and Career Readiness Index from 50% to 86%
- Achieved +50-point Geometry gains (18%→68%) with double-digit literacy growth across K–11 and math growth across grades 3–11
Mathematics Curriculum Coordinator
2015 - 2021Richmond County Schools, Georgia
Division leadership team member driving achievement gains across 60 schools, managing a $500K budget to enhance instructional excellence in mathematics.
- Designed and implemented district-wide math curriculum elevating outcomes across Title I schools
- 100% of schools in math-intensive program showed expected or accelerated growth (15–30 pts)
- Increased 8th-grade Algebra I access by 62% (510→1,359 students)
- Secured multiple federal grants including the only GOSA Innovation in K–8 Math Grant awarded statewide
Mathematics Professional Learning Specialist
2014 - 2015Richmond County Schools, Georgia
Directed evidence-based teacher and administrator training in mathematics, bridging instructional coaching experience into division-level curriculum leadership.
- Led professional learning initiatives that produced measurable student achievement improvements
- Launched district-wide interventions and Universal Screening (iReady) to support struggling schools
Math & Science Instructional Coach
2013 - 2014Richmond County Schools, Georgia
Provided personalized teacher support in curriculum, assessment, and data analysis, leading to improved instruction and higher student achievement.
- Drove 7.3% math growth for all students and 6.4% growth for African American students in one year
- Aligned instructional practices school-wide in partnership with school leadership
- Played key role in implementing the district’s Math and Science Improvement Plan
Mathematics Content Coach
2013 - 2015LearnZillion
Supported high school mathematics teachers through virtual, standards-aligned instructional coaching on the LearnZillion platform.
- Enhanced High School Math Instruction — Provided virtual coaching on standards-aligned lessons, equipping teachers to improve student understanding and performance
- Drove Instructional Excellence — Collaborated with teacher teams to implement impactful strategies across diverse classrooms, fostering academic success
Mathematics College Professor
2012 - 2014Paine College, Augusta, Georgia
Taught undergraduate mathematics at Paine College, building students’ foundations for STEM coursework and careers.
- Advanced College-Readiness in Math — Developed and taught college-level mathematics courses, strengthening students’ STEM foundations
- Guided Student Success — Provided individualized academic advising, aligning course selection with career pathways in mathematics and related fields
Mathematics Teacher
2007 - 2013Richmond County Schools, Georgia
Delivered rigorous, engaging math instruction at Langford Middle and Butler High, building the classroom foundation for a career in educational leadership.
- Teacher of the Year at Langford Middle School
- 84% instructional delivery rating by student survey results
Education
Doctorate in Educational Leadership
Valdosta State University, Valdosta, Georgia
Education Specialist in Teaching and Learning
Augusta State University, Augusta, Georgia
Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction
Augusta State University, Augusta, Georgia
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
Paine College, Augusta, Georgia
Certifications & Credentials
Georgia Certification
License 742444
- Mathematics (6–12), Gifted and Talented (In-Field)
- Educational Leadership: Tier II and Level 7 Certification
Virginia Certification
License PGP-0694758
- Mathematics, Gifted and Talented
- Educational Leadership: Admin and Supervision PreK–12 and Division Superintendent
Professional Affiliations & Leadership
- Graduate, AASA National Principal Supervisor Academy2026
- Graduate, Virginia Tech Aspiring Superintendent Program2025
- Graduate, Leadership Southside, Danville2025
- Board Member, Rethink Learning2024–present
- Advisory Board Member, Dan River Foundation Education Collaborative2024–present
- Advisory Member, Virginia DOE English Learner Work-based Learning2023–2024
- Advisory Board Member, Dan River Foundation OST Leadership Lab2023–present
- Planning Committee & Member, West Piedmont Trauma & Resiliency Network2023–present
- Graduate, Virginia Transformational Leadership Academy2023
- Member & Region VI Rep, Women Education Leaders in Virginia2023–present
- Member, Virginia Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development2022–present
- Member, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development2022–present
- Member, Virginia Association of School Superintendents2021–present
- Member, District Administration2021–present
- Board Member, Community Improvement Council: Head Start Danville2021–present
- Conference Coordinator, Georgia Council of Supervisors of Math2019–2021
- Vice President, Georgia Council of Supervisors of Math2019–2021
- Conference Coordinator, Georgia Council of Teachers of Math2019–2021
- Graduate, Aspiring Leaders: Education Leadership Academy of Augusta2015
- Program Reviewer & Member, National Council of Supervisors of Math2014–2021
Turning Systems Into Results
Helping School Systems Improve Student Outcomes Through Leadership, Alignment, and Execution
Lasting improvement doesn’t happen through isolated initiatives or short-term programs. It happens when leaders create a clear vision, align systems around shared goals, execute with consistency, and sustain momentum over time.
The SPARK Framework™ is a proven leadership and improvement model designed to help schools, departments, and districts transform strategy into action—and action into measurable results.
- S
Set the Vision
Create clarity and urgency.
- P
Prioritize the Work
Focus on what matters most.
- A
Align Systems
Connect people, processes, and resources.
- R
Reinforce Execution
Turn plans into results.
- K
Keep the Momentum
Sustain improvement through accountability.
- S
Set the Vision
Create clarity and urgency.
- P
Prioritize the Work
Focus on what matters most.
- A
Align Systems
Connect people, processes, and resources.
- R
Reinforce Execution
Turn plans into results.
- K
Keep the Momentum
Sustain improvement through accountability.
The SPARK Formula™
Student outcomes improve when leadership actions, organizational systems, and daily execution are aligned around a common goal.
Rather than relying on isolated initiatives, SPARK creates a coherent system that strengthens leadership capacity, improves organizational effectiveness, and drives measurable results.
As Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Takiwi utilized the SPARK Framework™ to interrupt more than a decade of declining performance and lead system-wide transformation efforts that improved student outcomes and organizational effectiveness.
Impact Highlights
- Elevated the division’s state accountability rating to 80%, with 8 of 10 schools earning scores between 80–100 points.
- Increased accreditation rates across the school division.
- Improved student achievement in reading, mathematics, and science.
- Expanded opportunities for advanced academics, career pathways, and school choice.
- Strengthened leadership systems, instructional practices, and accountability structures.
- Increased student engagement and improved organizational performance across schools and departments.
Through strategic leadership, aligned systems, focused execution, and continuous accountability, schools and departments achieved measurable gains that positioned the division for sustained success.
Ready to Spark Transformation?
Whether you are leading a school, department, organization, or district, the SPARK Framework™ provides a practical roadmap for transforming vision into action, strengthening leadership capacity, aligning systems, and delivering measurable results.
From Vision to Action. From Action to Results.
Spark the Flame. Ignite the Future. Sustain the Success.
Publications & Research
Scholarly work, practitioner resources, and speaking engagements focused on educational leadership, instructional systems, school turnaround, and student achievement strategies.
Superintendents in the South: An Examination of Grit, Commitment, and Retention
Doctoral research examining the factors that drive superintendent retention and commitment in southern school districts.
Herstory: Lessons on Leading and Lifting with WELV
A chapter contribution on leadership lessons from Women Education Leaders in Virginia.
Integrated Teaching and Learning System — "Timeless Essential"
Foreword for a three-volume series on creating integrated units of study for coherent, standards-aligned instruction.
The Dissertation Quick Guide
Foreword for a practical guide helping doctoral candidates navigate the dissertation process.
Growth Proceeds Achievement: A Division’s Journey to Improvement
A comprehensive account of the strategic reforms and outcomes behind Danville’s historic turnaround.
Instructional Coach Playbook
A field guide for instructional coaches outlining coaching cycles, data protocols, and classroom support strategies.
Southern Regional Education Board
Georgia Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Georgia Council of Supervisors of Mathematics
Women Education Leaders in Virginia
Virginia Association of School Superintendents
Twiggs County Public Schools
Blenheim Middle School of Discovery
Williston-Elko School District
Beyond the Numbers
In classrooms, at graduations, and alongside the educators and students at the heart of this work.
Voices from the Community
Superintendents, cabinet members, and district leaders who have worked alongside Dr. Takiwi throughout her career.
Dr. Angela Hairston
Superintendent
Danville Public Schools
Former Superintendent in Winston-Salem and Richmond County Schools
“It is her persona coupled with her tenacity to make things happen for children that has earned her the respect of all.”
Dr. Mary Elizabeth Davis
Superintendent
Cherokee County School District, Georgia
Former Superintendent of Henry County Schools
“I was most immediately struck by her laser focus and tenacity to build systems and structures aimed at improving the performance of all students.”
Dr. Wayne Lyle
Superintendent
Prince George County Public Schools
“Danville Public Schools has celebrated tremendous gains in student academic growth, and much of this success can be attributed to Dr. Babalola.”
Andrea Gillus
Chief Financial Officer
Danville Public Schools
“Dr. Takiwi Babalola is not only prepared for the superintendency — she is destined for it.”
Dr. Misti Williams
Retired Educator
Former Director of Leader Quality, Danville Public Schools
“Dr. Milton-Babalola is by far the best I have seen. I value her as a colleague, mentor and leader.”
Dr. Shelly M. Allen
Retired Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Richmond County School System
“A relentless advocate for students and a strategist who knows how to lead systems, inspire teams, and deliver sustainable results.”
Get in Touch
For professional inquiries, speaking engagements, or district collaboration opportunities.
Contact Info
Hephzibah, Georgia
Typically within 48 hours