Abdullahi Ahmed, Ed.D.

Dr. Abdullahi Ahmed is an educator and educational leader with more than two decades of experience serving students, families, educators, and communities. His career in public education has taken him from the classroom to school administration and district leadership, grounded throughout in a simple belief: every student deserves to be known, valued, challenged, and given the opportunity to thrive.

Dr. Ahmed currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Students, Families, and Community Partnerships for Portland Public Schools, where he leads work focused on meaningful student and family engagement, inclusive and transparent communication, community partnerships, and expanding opportunities for students and families who have historically been underserved. His portfolio includes multilingual learners, students with interrupted formal education, unaccompanied youth, and partnerships that connect students with internships, extended learning, and other opportunities beyond the classroom.

His leadership has been shaped by experience at every level of public education. He began his career as an educator and has taught mathematics, Earth science, environmental science, chemistry, physics, alternative education, and Arabic. He became Maine's first certified public school Arabic teacher, helping establish Arabic instruction as a world-language opportunity for students. He has also served as an educational technology specialist and multilingual language facilitator.

As an assistant principal and principal at Deering High School, Dr. Ahmed focused on creating a school culture built on belonging, high expectations, opportunity, and student voice. He helped significantly reduce suspensions and chronic absenteeism and expanded access to advanced coursework by removing unnecessary prerequisites through a “challenged by choice” approach. He introduced “AP for All”, expanded access to AP and honours opportunities for younger students, and developed adaptive programming in music, art, and physical education. He also worked to ensure that students could participate fully in school life, including helping establish policies that enabled young women to wear hijab while participating in athletics.

As Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools, Dr. Ahmed provided leadership for middle schools, high schools, and adult education, working with principals and educators on school improvement, instructional leadership, curriculum implementation, student achievement, attendance, and equity. His approach is rooted in the conviction that “all kids are ours” and that the work of educational leadership is ultimately about improving the experiences and opportunities of students.

Dr. Ahmed holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Maine, where his doctoral research examined Somali parents' involvement in the education of their children in American middle schools. He also holds a master's degree in Education from the University of Southern Maine and a bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering from the University of Engineering & Technology in Peshawar, Pakistan. He completed the Urban Superintendent Preparation Academy through AASA and Howard University.

A former refugee who built his life and career through education, Dr. Ahmed brings a perspective shaped by migration, community, teaching, leadership, and lived experience. He speaks Somali, Arabic, English, and Urdu and is deeply committed to building schools and communities where difference is not a barrier to opportunity.