Superintendent of Schools for Stratford Connecticut
Dr. Uyi Osunde is the Superintendent of Schools in Stratford, Connecticut. Dr. Osunde believes that equity work is necessary work and must be at the front of every conversation across the academic organization.
With a student population consisting of approximately 72% students of color, and representing more than 49 languages the Stratford Public Schools has been ranked by several media outlets as the sixth most diverse school district in the state of Connecticut.
In his first two years with Stratford Public Schools Dr. Osunde, through his leadership, has had an impressionable impact on the district. Dr. Osunde led the process and development of a new strategic plan, matched with student centered priorities, aimed at bringing coherence and alignment to the districts’ work. In his second year, the district saw significant growth in student performance, and a dramatic [narrowing] of performance gaps amongst subgroups of students. Additionally, in his short time with SPS, he has led efforts to diversify the professional workforce, currently happening at a pace 3x faster than the state as a whole. SPS also currently holds the privilege of having the Connecticut Association of Schools 2023 Elementary School Assistant Principal of the Year, and SPS also boasts being one of 5 school systems across the United States with a teacher inducted into this year’s class of The National Teachers Hall of Fame, a non-profit organization established in 1989 that honors exceptional school teachers. Dr. Osunde believes in voice and regularly holds Town Hall meetings to leverage the utility of family voice into his leadership decisions.
Prior to joining the Stratford Public Schools in 2021, Dr. Osunde has been engaged in deep commitments to equity work across multiple (diverse) communities. Dr. Osunde began his equity work more than 14 years ago in the New London Public Schools as a professional School Counselor. Since his career began, Dr. Osunde has worked for the East Hartford Public Schools, the Manchester Public Schools, and served as the high school principal for the Windsor Public Schools. At each of those stops, he focused on working with people, galvanizing people towards a direction that ensures students—particularly students of color—had access, improved learning and performance outcomes, and quality experiences as they engage in public education.
Dr. Osunde’s interests and expertise reside in equity work, whole systems improvement, strategic planning, accountability, and organizational excellence. Dr. Osunde speaks frequently, and continues to give back as a regular participant on speaking panels and various committees across the state; particularly panels aimed at aspiring superintendents or school leaders. In 2021 Dr. Osunde was recognized as a member of the Class of (2021) 100 Men of Color in recognition of the contributions that men of color have made in business, education, entrepreneurship, entertainment, government, public service and the impact they have made on the lives of people throughout the state of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts communities.
