The Sunnyvale School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Gudiel Crosthwaite as its new superintendent, effective July 1, 2025.
Dr. Crosthwaite brings nearly 30 years of experience in education, most recently serving as Superintendent of Lynwood Unified School District. Since joining Lynwood Unified in 2010 as Director of School Reform, his collaborative leadership has been pivotal in the district’s achievements. These include significant increases in graduation rates and a surge in participation and success in Advanced Placement (AP) courses, culminating in Lynwood Unified being named a 2017 AP District of the Year by the College Board—a distinction received by only three districts nationwide.
Dr. Crosthwaite’s advocacy extends to crucial community victories. In 2022, he spearheaded the effort to secure $250 million in state funding for the rebuilding of Lynwood High School’s Imperial Campus. His guidance also led to every Lynwood Unified school receiving Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) awards in 2022, recognizing their outstanding efforts in fostering positive and engaging learning environments for all students.
A proven collaborator, Dr. Crosthwaite is deeply involved in both statewide and national educational initiatives. He is a member of the League of Innovative Schools, the Rise Up Coalition, Edloc, and the National Academy of Sciences and Engineering. He also dedicates his time to serving on the Board of the Lynwood Partners Educational Foundation.
Dr. Crosthwaite’s extensive educational journey began in 1994 as an eighth-grade teacher, and he later taught high school English and English Language Development. He then transitioned into administration, serving at all levels—elementary, middle, and high school. Academically, he holds an undergraduate degree from UCLA, two master’s degrees from California State University, Los Angeles, and Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a Ph.D. in Education from Claremont Graduate University.
“I am deeply honored and incredibly excited to join the Sunnyvale School District as the new superintendent,” said Dr. Gudiel Crosthwaite. “I look forward to partnering with our dedicated educators, families, and community to support every student’s success and build on the district’s tradition of excellence.”
“The Board is grateful to the SSD community for being an invaluable part of this superintendent search process,” said Bridget Watson, board president. “Trustees carefully read responses from 966 survey participants and 29 focus groups, and incorporated their collective input into our job description, interview questions, and evaluative discourse. We believe we’ve found an experienced, transformative educational leader in Dr. Gudiel Crosthwaite. He is deeply committed to equity and a vision for improved outcomes for all students. We look forward to partnering with him to serve our students, so that each and every one of them can reach their full, unique potential.”
“I am excited to pass the torch to Dr. Gudiel Crosthwaite, whose nearly 30 years of dedicated experience and remarkable track record speak for themselves,” said Dr. Michael Gallagher, Sunnyvale’s retiring superintendent. “His leadership at Lynwood Unified, marked by achieving significant academic gains and securing crucial funding for students, clearly demonstrates his commitment to educational excellence and community partnership. I have no doubt his collaborative spirit and vision will greatly benefit Sunnyvale’s students as we continue to pursue our Promise that Every Student is known by name, strength, and need, ready to excel in high school and beyond, and to lead a life of joy and purpose.”
As part of its selection process, the Board of Education used information gathered from four community forums, an online survey that garnered more than 900 responses, and 29 input sessions with educational partners, which included staff, families, students, and community partners.
The Board set a target date of July 1 for having a new superintendent in place. Michael Gallagher, the District’s superintendent since 2020, will retire June 30.
The District will schedule opportunities for staff, parents/guardians, and community partners to welcome Dr. Crosthwaite to his new role as the new school year begins.
Dr. Crosthwaite is married and a proud parent of two college-aged students. One is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree, and the other is working toward a master’s degree in education.
In his free time, he enjoys taking walks, reading fiction and books on leadership, spending time outdoors in nature, and being near water, whether it’s at the beach, river, or lake. He also loves to travel, cook, enjoy a good cup of coffee, and spend quality time with family.
He is deeply passionate about helping others and working toward a more just and equitable society. That passion carries into both his personal and professional life, and he is always looking for ways to build community, foster understanding, and make a positive impact.
