Ronald Towns

School Principal at Oakland Unified School District

Oakland, California, United States

About

In my 17th year as instructional leader committed to narrowing the achievement gap. Executive Director and co-founder of non-profit that aims to eliminate racial and class bias in youth, improving our society in the long run.

Experience

  • Oakland Unified School District (7 yrs 2 mos)
    • School Principal
      Jun 2021 - Present · 5 yrs 2 mos

      Reduced student chronic absenteeism from 41% in 2023-24 to 28.3% in 2024-25 and increased Average Daily Attendance (ADA) from 87.5% in 2023-24 to 91% in 2024-25 Increased early literacy achievement as evidenced by performance on district benchmark assessments: % of 1st grade students on grade level grew from 18% to 47% % of 2nd grade students on grade level grew from 32% to 67% Improve the reading, writing and math skills of Allendale students by building and refining professional learning structures (weekly PD, PLC teams, and coaching) to improve pedagogical knowledge and skills of 60 staff

    • Assistant Principal
      Jun 2019 - Jun 2021 · 2 yrs 1 mo

  • Director of Academics at Oakland Genesis
    Jun 2025 - May 2026 · 1 yr

  • Executive Director at Camp Common Ground — Bay Area
    Aug 2015 - Jul 2023 · 8 yrs

    Co-lead organization's efforts in the areas of: vision setting, strategic planning, fundraising, student recruitment, staff hiring, Board of Directors management, and family and community engagement efforts.

  • Professional Development Advisor at RightOn Education
    Aug 2019 - May 2021 · 1 yr 10 mos

  • Middle School Math and Science Teacher & Instructional Coach, School Attendance Manager at Gateway Public Schools
    Aug 2017 - Jun 2019 · 1 yr 11 mos

    Co-lead a team of 7 math and science teachers working to increase the quantitative and scientific knowledge and skills of our diverse student population. Part of this work includes giving additional supports to half of our students, who enter our school far below grade level. Facilitate professional development and coach 4 teachers to improve student achievement across the school. Manage school-wide attendance system, including designing proactive and reactive supports to reduce tardies and absences and managing the truancy process. Sit on the Response to Intervention team that identifies Tier 2 and 3 supports for focal students; oversee the school's math intervention program that serves the 6th graders with the greatest needs in math Sit on the Leadership Team that monitors school-wide progress towards its goals related to academic achievement and student ownership of learning