Superintendent's Bio
Dr. RaShawn M. Adams provides strategic vision and stellar leadership to the Asbury Park School District. An accomplished educational leader with nearly 25 years of experience in public education, he was unanimously approved on Oct. 28, 2021, by the Asbury Park Board of Education to serve as the district’s Superintendent.
A native of Jersey City and a product of Jersey City Public Schools, he has developed a sense of service that has been his calling card throughout his professional journey. Considered a “change agent” and “school turnaround leader,” (for leading multiple schools to their first significant academic achievement in the NCLB era), Dr. Adams has established himself as a visionary leader who incorporates systemic change by focusing on shifting people, practices and policy. He is also renowned for his ability to lend voice to students and community by implementing responsive, team-building opportunities for the growth and development of all. He frequently states that his decisions are “student centered, process driven and outcome focused.”
Dr. Adams earned his Bachelor of Science Degree, with a focus in history, from Trenton State College, currently The College of New Jersey. His life forever changed and set him on his current career path following a speech by Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu, who articulated the need for black men to enter the teaching profession. The rest is history. Dr. Kunjufu’s words motivated Dr. Adams to earn a Master’s Degree, with a focus on School Administration, from The College of New Jersey; followed by a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from Kean University. In addition, he has expanded his educational service to include teaching as an Adjunct Professor for The College of New Jersey and Indiana State University.
Looking through an educational lens, Dr. Adams has risen through the ranks serving as a Teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, Regional Special Assistant, Director and ultimately Superintendent of Schools. He has implemented powerful practices, developed proven formulas and honed his passion for the field in the East Orange School District, Newark Public Schools, Irvington Public Schools, Trenton Public Schools, Plainfield School District, Queen City Academy Charter School and Franklin Township. He has a proven record of improving academic outcomes for students, particularly those who are impoverished and disenfranchised. Additionally, Dr. Adams has been instrumental in enabling the schools he has served to reach Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) as defined by the US Department of Education’s No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation.
Dr. Adams operates with a sense of urgency as he strives to provide an environment that afford all children a chance to succeed. Some of his career highlights include: earning the “Excellent Leadership” Award at the Grant School in Trenton, the “Dedication Award” from the Queen City Academy Charter School Board of Trustees, and the “At QCA-Failure Is Not An Option” and “Untiring Devotion to Quality Education” from the Parent Advisory Council of Queen City Academy. Also, the Pearl Foundation of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. bestowed upon him recognition for being both a Distinguished Educator and Community Advocate as a result of his distinguished service as Superintendent of Franklin Township Public Schools.
Dr. Adams is an energetic educator who realizes that his purpose is linked to the development and overall success of future generations of students. Students like his son, Ryan, who keeps his dad humbled and grounded.