Lauren Overton

Lauren Overton is the proud principal of the 2017-2018 National Blue Ribbon Award winning William M. Meredith public school in Philadelphia. She partners with students, teachers, and the community at large to create a positive, inclusive, and just learning environment at her school.

Lauren believes that learning should be joyful. Lauren knows that schools are a microcosm of communities, and as such, have a great responsibility to model best practices for a kind, curious, and equitable society. As a queer educator, she believes that visibility creates opportunities to push crucial conversations around identity, gender expression, and sexuality. Lauren is a passionate advocate for social justice. She believes that K-12 schools have a great responsibility to respond to and shift systemic issues that disenfranchise individuals based on class, gender, sexuality, and race.