WASHINGTON (August 25, 2022) - Dr. Andrae Townsel was born and raised in the beautiful state of Michigan in the city of Detroit. As a student-athlete at Cass Technical High School, he earned a football scholarship to Howard University in Washington, D.C. where his football scholarship ultimately turned into a doctoral degree.
 
Townsel earned his bachelors, masters and doctorate from HU and began his educational career in the District of Columbia where he had the privilege to work in every level of the educational system. He served in multiple capacities, including student teacher, teacher, football and basketball head coach, assistant dean, dean of students, central office specialist, assistant principal, high school principal, assistant superintendent, and a current highly effective sitting superintendent.
 
Specific successes below list the successful impact that his leadership style has had on student achievement:
 
As of July 1, 2022, Townsel is the first black superintendent in the history of Calvert County Public Schools in Maryland. His mission in education was/is to provide the best outcomes possible for students and their families. Townsel understood that parents and guardians want nothing but the best for their children; thus, they put their hope and trust in the school system and it was his duty to meet their expectations.
 
As an assistant superintendent in the Wayne-Westland Community School District, Townsel pioneered the work of climate, culture and social emotional learning. In a district of nearly 11,000 students and 20 school buildings, he hired and developed climate and culture coaches for each building and provided yearlong professional development to effectively address the disproportionality in discipline data, along with improve the overall behavior of student's district-wide to ensure an increase in academic achievement. Townsel has a strong knowledge of school finance and showed great fiscal responsibility at all levels, generating nearly $250k in grant funding to support the work of restorative practices and social emotional learning (SEL). In addition, Townsel made an immediate impact as an assistant superintendent. Specifically, he reduced out of school suspensions by nearly 25-percent throughout the district and reduced fights and assaults by nearly 25-percent throughout the district.
 
As a principal in Southbridge Public Schools (Massachusetts), Townsel expanded and enhanced the educational experience for all students. First, he pioneered the first ever partnership with the AeroVenture Institute. This collaboration included the Southbridge Municipal Airport, in which this program allowed for students to receive college credits in Aeronautical Science and receive flight experience. Second, he started the Early College Pathways partnership with Quinsigamond Community College, which has three strands: Core/General Education Pathway; Healthcare Pathway and a Manufacturing Pathway. Students had the opportunity to graduate from high school with up to 25 college credits. Third, he launched the Bay Path Partnership, which allows seniors to obtain a certification in Culinary Arts or Machinery. Completion of the programs allows for students to have an opportunity to become employed in these fields after graduation. Fourth, Townsel added wrestling as a winter sport to allow more student-athletes an opportunity to pursue an unknown passion. Lastly, to address the teacher shortages in Southbridge for a long-term solution, he partnered with Worcester State University for the "Call to Teaching" Initiative. This program is for students of color, who are interested in contributing and addressing the shortage of minority teachers in public schools.
 
Townsel possessed a compelling vision that puts improving student learning at the core and reflects community values, beliefs and has the highest aspiration for my students. He had a strong instructional foundation and demonstrated ability to apply knowledge of content and current research-based practices in teaching, learning, instructional administration techniques and programs that enhance instructional capacity and maximizes student learning.
 
About Where Are They Now?
 
The weekly series of "Where Are They Now?" appears on Thursdays throughout the year.
 
The series will feature former student-athletes from all sports and eras, highlighting their careers as athletes at the University and what they are presently doing.
 
All interested former athletes and their coaches should submit a short bio, a recent head shot and contact information on how they can be reached via email to Jade Spurlock (jade.spurlock@bison.howard.edu) and Derek W. Bryant (derek.bryant@howard.edu).
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.