Adedapo Akisanya

Culture-Climate Consultant (National Restorative Practices Trainer)

Adedapo Akisanya brings a plethora of varied experiences to TrancEnDence Educational Partners. Serving in project management for over fifteen years, his attention to detail and structures for oversight of broad projects will be a value-add to districts and schools across the country. Adedapo is an American born Nigerian, who lived in Nigeria for the latter part of his childhood. Upon returning to the United States, Adedapo enlisted into the Marine Corps, and soon found himself engulfed in the Somali War. It was during his tour of duty that he learned problem solving techniques and how to effectively manage multiple units to arrive at a targeted resolution.

Following his dedicated service in the Marines, Adedapo studied at South Suburban College, earning an Associate’s in Arts Degree and an induction into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. He went on to attend Purdue University for Mass Communication and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts. Effective communication and the ability to rally a team to serve a purpose or goal became a focal point in his career as a project manager. This led Adedapo to further his education and he received a Master’s of Fine Arts degree in Digital Communication from DePaul University.

Adedapo’s experience in schools includes leading the charge in facilitating a virtual online learning platform linking students of Chicago Public Schools with teachers at the DuSable Museum of African-American History. It was his development of an interactive virtual classroom that led him to his rich passion as that of leading the transformation of school culture in turnaround schools. Serving in the role of Director of School Culture in a large urban charter high school, Ade was tasked with strategy oversight and execution of normalizing the school and creating a culture of excellence. Adedapo also serves as Director of School Culture and Climate for Chicago Public Schools where he is responsible for training staff on social emotional learning techniques and providing support to bolster stronger instructional practices and overall school improvement.

Adedapo will also bring to bear his expertise as a Nationally Certified Trainer for the International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP) for TranscEnDence as he works with schools and districts to reshape school and campus culture in a manner that provides the best outcomes for urban students who are often pushed into the school to prison pipeline through punitive discipline practices. Adedapo will serve as a Culture-Climate Consultant for TranscEnDence Educational Partners leading the development of systems, structures and routines specific to sound culture-climate improvements in districts and schools.