Dr. Gudiel R. Crosthwaite has dedicated over 30 years to public education, championing equity, mentorship, and student success. He began his career in 1994 as a classroom teacher and has since served in leadership roles at every level—elementary, middle, and high school.

In 2025, Dr. Crosthwaite was appointed Superintendent of Sunnyvale School District, where he continues to lead with a deep commitment to equity, innovation, and student-centered learning.
Prior to Sunnyvale, he served for 15 years in Lynwood Unified School District, including eight years as Superintendent. During his tenure, he led transformative progress—most notably a 25.3 percentage point increase in the graduation rate at Lynwood High School and a 23.9 point increase at Firebaugh High School. In 2017, Lynwood Unified was named AP District of the Year by the College Board, the only district in California to receive this national honor.

As Superintendent, Dr. Crosthwaite also secured $250 million in state funding to rebuild Lynwood High School’s Imperial Campus, expanded access to college-level and enrichment programs, and guided the district to systemwide recognition for its implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Under his leadership, Lynwood became one of only three districts in California selected as a model for Community Schools.

Dr. Crosthwaite earned his undergraduate degree from UCLA, two master’s degrees—one from Harvard University and another from California State University, Los Angeles—and a Ph.D. in Education from Claremont Graduate University.

Nationally, he serves as Advisory Chair for the League of Innovative Schools and Chair of the Superintendents Executive Advisory Council (SEAC), helping shape forward-thinking educational policy and practice.

Now leading Sunnyvale School District, Dr. Crosthwaite remains focused on building thriving learning communities where every student is known, supported, and empowered to succeed.