[Hartford, CT - July 1, 2025] - After a lengthy process of gathering stakeholder input, a nationwide search that included the review of 40 applicants, and a comprehensive interview process of the top applicants, the Hartford Public Schools’ Board of Education is pleased to announce Dr. Andraé Townsel as the Superintendent of Hartford Public Schools.
Dr. Andraé Townsel was born and raised in the beautiful city of Detroit, Michigan. As a student-athlete at Cass Technical High School, and graduate of Detroit Public Schools, he earned a football scholarship to Howard University in Washington, DC—a path that ultimately led him to earn a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degree from the esteemed institution. Dr. Townsel began his educational journey in the District of Columbia and has since held nearly every position in the K–12 education system, including student teacher, teacher, head coach, assistant dean, dean of students, central office specialist, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, and now a highly effective superintendent. His well-rounded experience, combined with a deep commitment to educational excellence and student success, has made him a respected and transformational leader in every district he has served.
Currently serving as Superintendent of Calvert County Public Schools in Maryland, Dr. Townsel has been recognized for exceeding expectations in leadership, elevating the district’s ranking to the fourth-best in the state. He was unanimously elected President of the Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland for the 2024–2025 school year. Known for his bold vision, student-centered leadership, and signature motto—“SET THE BAR. MEET THE BAR. EXCEED THE BAR. RAISE THE BAR!”—Dr. Townsel brings passion, innovation, and results to every school community he leads.
Hartford Public Schools Board Chairperson, Jennifer Hockenhull, believes Dr. Townsel is a great fit to serve the district as its next leader.
"The Board is incredibly excited to welcome Dr. Andraé Townsel as our new Superintendent," said Jennifer Hockenhull, Board Chairperson. "We were looking for a seasoned leader, and Dr. Townsel brings not only a wealth of experience from districts similar to ours but also incredible energy and a clear commitment to championing our district's future. We are eager to work alongside him."
Dr. Townsel looks forward to working with the Board of Education, parents, staff, students, and the Hartford Public Schools community on a shared vision of providing the very best educational experiences for all students.
“I am honored and excited to serve as the next Superintendent of Hartford Public Schools. This is an incredible opportunity to work collaboratively with students, families, educators, and community partners who are deeply invested in the success of our schools. Together, we will enhance the student experience and raise achievement in academics, athletics, and the arts across the district. I look forward to building on Hartford’s rich legacy and setting a bold vision for our shared future,” said Dr. Townsel.
The Hartford Public Schools’ Board acted officially with a unanimous vote in favor of Dr. Townsel for the role of Superintendent at a Special Meeting held publicly on July 1st at M.D. Fox School in Hartford.
Dr. Townsel will spend the next few weeks meeting with individuals and connecting with groups, as well as engaging in town halls before the start of the 2025-2026 school year. His official starting date is pending. He succeeds Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez, who held the role of Superintendent since December 2017, after joining the district in an academic leadership role in 2015.
Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampam shares, "Dr. Andraé Townsel brings a wealth of experience as an educator and leader, and his track record of elevating district performance and supporting students makes him an outstanding choice to serve as the new Superintendent of Hartford Public Schools. This is a critical moment for our school system. We are hard at work adapting and innovating to address our city’s most pressing educational challenges, including moving forward with the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Education my office launched last year. I'm confident that Dr. Townsel’s numerous roles throughout the K–12 system, including his distinguished work as Superintendent of Calvert County Public Schools in Maryland, have left him uniquely qualified to build on Hartford's recent progress.
I look forward to collaborating closely with Dr. Townsel as we work alongside our great teachers, administrators, and Board of Education to ensure that every Hartford student has access to a high-quality education and the opportunities they deserve. The city stands ready to support him in this vital role, and I am excited for what we will accomplish together on behalf of our children and families."
You can watch the Special Meeting of the Board of Education here.
Escuelas Públicas de Hartford nombra al Dr. Andraé Townsel al cargo de Superintendente
[Hartford, CT - 1 de julio de 2025] – Tras un extenso proceso de recopilación de información y opiniones de toda la comunidad educativa, una búsqueda nacional que incluyó la revisión de 40 candidatos, y un proceso de entrevistas con los candidatos más destacados, la Junta de Educación de las Escuelas Públicas de Hartford se complace en anunciar al Dr. Andraé Townsel como nuevo Superintendente de las Escuelas Públicas de Hartford.
El Dr. Andraé Townsel nació y creció en la hermosa ciudad de Detroit, Michigan. Como estudiante y atleta en Cass Technical High School, y graduado de las Escuelas Públicas de Detroit, obtuvo una beca de fútbol americano para la Universidad de Howard en Washington, D.C., donde llegó a completar su bachillerato, maestría y doctorado en dicha institución. El Dr. Townsel comenzó su trayectoria educativa en el Distrito de Columbia y desde entonces ha ocupado casi todos los cargos en el sistema educativo K–12, que incluye haber sido maestro estudiante en formación, maestro, entrenador de deportes, subdecano, decano de estudiantes, especialista en la oficina central, subdirector, director, superintendente adjunto y ahora como un superintendente altamente eficaz. Su amplia experiencia, combinada con un profundo compromiso con la excelencia educativa y el éxito estudiantil, lo han convertido en un líder respetado y transformador en cada distrito en el que ha trabajado.
Actualmente se desempeña como Superintendente de las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Calvert en Maryland, donde ha sido reconocido por superar las expectativas en liderazgo, elevando la clasificación del distrito al cuarto mejor puesto del estado. Fue elegido por unanimidad como Presidente de la Asociación de Superintendentes de Escuelas Públicas de Maryland para el año escolar 2024–2025. Conocido por su visión audaz, liderazgo centrado en los estudiantes y su lema característico—“¡COLOCA EL ESTÁNDAR. ALCANZA EL ESTÁNDAR. SUPERA EL ESTÁNDAR. ELEVA EL ESTÁNDAR!”—el Dr. Townsel aporta pasión, innovación y resultados a cada comunidad escolar que lidera.
La presidenta de la Junta de Educación de las Escuelas Públicas de Hartford, Jennifer Hockenhull, considera que el Dr. Townsel es una excelente elección para liderar el distrito.
“La Junta está increíblemente emocionada de dar la bienvenida al Dr. Andraé Townsel como nuestro nuevo Superintendente,” dijo Jennifer Hockenhull. “Buscábamos un líder con experiencia, y el Dr. Townsel no solo aporta una gran trayectoria en distritos similares al nuestro, sino también una energía increíble y un claro compromiso con el futuro de nuestro distrito. Estamos ansiosos por trabajar junto a él.”
El Dr. Townsel espera trabajar con la Junta de Educación, padres, personal, estudiantes y la comunidad de las Escuelas Públicas de Hartford en una visión compartida para brindar las mejores experiencias educativas a todos los estudiantes.
“Es un honor y una gran emoción servir como el próximo Superintendente de las Escuelas Públicas de Hartford. Esta es una oportunidad increíble para colaborar con estudiantes, familias, educadores y organizaciones de la comunidad que guardan un compromiso profundo con lograr el éxito de nuestras escuelas. Juntos, mejoraremos la experiencia estudiantil y elevaremos el rendimiento académico, atlético y artístico en todo el distrito. Espero con entusiasmo construir sobre el legado histórico de Hartford y establecer una visión audaz para nuestro futuro compartido,” expresó el Dr. Townsel.
La Junta de las Escuelas Públicas de Hartford actuó oficialmente con una votación unánime a favor del Dr. Townsel para el cargo de Superintendente en una Reunión Especial celebrada públicamente el 1 de julio en la Escuela M.D. Fox en Hartford.
El Dr. Townsel pasará las próximas semanas reuniéndose con personas y grupos, así como participando en foros comunitarios antes del inicio del año escolar 2025–2026. Su fecha oficial de inicio está pendiente. El Dr. Townsel ocupa el cargo luego que la Dra. Leslie Torres-Rodríguez estuviera al mando de la superintendencia desde diciembre de 2017, luego de unirse al distrito en un puesto de liderato académico en 2015.