Equity Warrior – Dr. Astein Osei Shares a Commitment to Inclusive Education Spanning Two Decades

The longtime educator, superintendent, and now business owner hopes to inspire the next generation of educators and students to make their mark on the world.

If Dr. Astein Osei had followed his childhood passions, he would have been a sports reporter broadcasting the latest scores and highlights from football fields and basketball courts. He went to the University of Minnesota on a football scholarship and spent his senior year interning with FOX Sports, intending to work in television production.

Then, one day, fate intervened. Dr. Osei went in to substitute for a religion teacher and never looked back. 

“During the spring semester of my senior year of college, a mentor needed some support at a high school he was working at,” he explained. “They were having difficulties filling substitute teaching positions, and he asked if I would be willing to help. From the moment that I stepped foot into the classroom, I was instantly drawn to the energy of the students.”

Working with students and educators would become his life calling. 

Dr. Astein Osei’s Unconventional Path to Educational Leadership

Sometimes, we chase careers; other times, careers chase us, which was the case for Dr. Osei. In 2002, he was invited back to continue teaching. After graduation, Osei returned to teach physical education and health at Cretin-Derham Hall High School in Saint Paul, Minn. At the same time, he got his master’s degree in educational administration at St. Mary’s University. 

He quickly ascended through the teaching and administrative ranks, making history along the way. Osei became the first black male high school principal at St. Paul’s Johnson High in 2011. He made it his mission to show his students that servant leadership required living counter to the culture. He focused on seeing individual students instead of crowds of people. He believes that leadership is not a role but a responsibility. 

From there, Osei, who grew up in a suburb of Chicago, evolved into a beloved administrator who later became assistant superintendent of Osseo Public Schools from 2015-2017. He was named the St. Louis Park school district superintendent in suburban Minneapolis in May 2017. He led the district through a critical period during the COVID-19 pandemic and transition to distance learning. 

As superintendent, he worked on closing the “very stubborn and pesky racial achievement gap” that plagued St. Louis Park and focused on racial equity in the school and community. Osei said his career and future have been built off the communities he has been part of.

“Personally, (community) means everything. I think about who I am and where I am today, and it wasn’t because I’m so great, or because I’m so lucky, it is because a community surrounded me and supported me to help me get to where I am and they continue to do that,” Osei said.

Despite the pressure on his shoulders, community leaders said he shined under duress as a superintendent and was known for his exemplary leadership and enthusiastic energy. He sought to normalize feelings during the pandemic and united teachers and students. Dr. Osei’s 22-year journey in education is marked by his professional accomplishments and dedication to family and community.

“I am a firm believer that nothing happens by chance or luck and that everything happens for a reason,” Osei shared. “I believe that God has ordered my steps and that the field of education is not a job but a vocation. It was not an accident that I was invited to substitute teach in the spring of 2002. I believe that is the calling that God has put on my life, which is why I was so drawn to the students, and the students were drawn to me during my substitute teaching experience.” 

He’s a staunch supporter of equity, and he’s emerged as a leader committed to driving positive change in all areas of his life. 

Dr. Astein Osei Launches New Business Endeavor: Progress Partners, LLC.

It’s been over two decades since Dr. Osei has pursued a calling to impact the lives of thousands of students in the field of education. The husband and father of two young children recently launched a new business called Progress Partners LLC in late 2023; the company specializes in strategic planning and equity leadership training by equipping organizations with the skills necessary to thrive in the business world. 

Astein Osei knows that everything he’s learned in the classroom and community is meant to be shared with others. 

“I’m taking what I learned over the past twenty-plus years as an educator and sharing that with others in ways that support the work they are doing in their districts and schools,” he said. I also see myself writing a book about the findings from my research and continuing to contribute positively to the field of education.” 

Most importantly, Dr. Osei says he wants to grow in his faith. 

“I see myself continuing to prioritize my relationship with God and letting my words and actions be a reflection of the love, grace, and mercy that God has shown me over the years,” he shared. “I see myself maintaining the balance that I have been able to create over the past few months and prioritizing what matters most, which is my family. I plan to continue working towards creating an anti-racist democracy through pre-k-12 education.”

Dr. Astein Osei: Advocate for Equity and Family Values 

Osei’s passion for education ignited his early years as a health and physical education teacher at Cretin-Derham Hall (CDH) High School in St. Paul.

His desire to make a difference led him to pursue administrative positions within the Osseo Area School district, where he served in diverse leadership roles, including Assistant Principal at Park Center Senior High and Maple Grove Senior High, Principal on Special Assignment within the Division of Leadership, Teaching, and Learning, Director of Educational Equity, and Assistant Superintendent.

Instead of merely holding administrative positions, Astein actively sought opportunities to effect change at the grassroots level. His tenure as principal of Johnson Aerospace and Engineering High School in the St. Paul Public School district underscored his commitment to providing quality education to all students, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances. 

In his most recent role as the superintendent of St. Louis Park Public Schools for over six years, Ostein championed equity initiatives to create inclusive learning environments. His leadership is characterized by a steadfast dedication to bridging gaps in educational opportunities and outcomes for all students. He’s seen a lot of change over the last 22 years. 

“You are seeing more of a focus on the ‘whole child’ than we were 20 years ago,” he said. “Mental health has become something that educators are focused on, which is a shift from the ‘buck up’ mentality that was pervasive in schools previously. School safety and facilities enhancements to make schools more secure have evolved, and over the past five years, more meaningful equity work has appeared to occur with educators.” 

Ubuntu in Leadership: How Dr. Astein Osei Champions Collective Responsibility

When it comes to education, Dr. Osei leans on four core principles:

• Collective Responsibility
• Advocacy for Equity 
• Trust Is Essential 
• High Expectations 

“I believe that as educators, we all must work together to support the healthy development of our learners,” Osei said. “I often lean into the South African term of Ubuntu – ‘I am because we are,’ in my leadership because collectivism is critical to improving student educational outcomes.”

Dr. Astein Osei’s Commitment to Building Strong Relationships in Education

Regarding Advocacy for Equity, Dr. Osei says educators are responsible for developing citizens who will help create an anti-racist democracy. 

Establishing such an environment is essential to guaranteeing equitable access to grade-level standards for all students, fostering their understanding of their own racial and cultural identities, promoting proficiency in diverse cultures, and facilitating the development of socio-political awareness. This approach allows students to hone critical thinking skills, engage in problem-solving, and cultivate solutions for real-world challenges.

Trust Is Essential 

Dr. Osei’s third principle is based on trust. 

“Trust is essential; to successfully lead school districts, it is imperative to cultivate effective relationships with students, staff, families, and the community. I lean heavily on the Thin Book of Trust as a resource in my leadership, constantly evaluating the sincerity, reliability, competence, and care in the professional relationships I establish.”

Finally, he believes that every learner possesses the gifts and talents necessary to thrive in this world, and it’s his responsibility as an educator to nurture these gifts and talents. 

“In order to do that, I believe that I have to have high expectations for those learners and not provide them with remedial educational experiences because of mental models that I may hold about their ability to learn,” Dr. Osei said. I believe that everyone has the capacity and responsibility to foster the growth and brilliance of others.”

Dr. Astein Osei is driven by an unwavering dedication to children’s education and is rooted in a profound personal commitment to students, educators, and the communities he serves. He’s a change agent who believes every student deserves a chance to succeed in life, and he staunchly advocates for equitable opportunities in the classroom, striving to dismantle systemic barriers. 

As the visionary founder of Progress Partners, Osei brings over 20 years of experience and insight to empower and equip future leaders to achieve their own dreams. Beyond his professional endeavors, Osei exemplifies leadership within his family, striving to create a brighter, more inclusive world for his children.

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