Yvonne Temple

With more than two decades of experience in public education, higher education, and nonprofit leadership, Yvonne Temple brings deep knowledge, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to student success to her campaign for the Stratford Board of Education.

 

Yvonne holds a B.A. from Southern Connecticut State University and an M.S. from Sacred Heart University and currently serves in a leadership role focused on educational strategy, diversity, and organizational transformation. Her expertise includes district-wide equity planning, policy analysis, curriculum development, and professional development, all essential for today’s Board of Education.

 

A Stratford resident since 2012, Yvonne and her family have lived in both the South End and the Paradise Green area. She and her husband, Christopher (BHS Class of 1999 and 2025 Hall of Fame inductee), are raising three children: Crystal (Class of 2025), Christopher J. (10th grade), and Caitlyn (2nd grade). Their experiences in Stratford’s public schools inspire her daily work and community advocacy.

 

Throughout her career, Yvonne has led courageous conversations on school climate, implemented equity audits, and launched programs that support students’ social-emotional needs. She played a central role in organizing Stratford Public Schools’ first annual Community Resource Fair and has brought initiatives like No Place for Hate and Yale InspirED into local classrooms. Her work has earned recognition, including the Prudence Crandall Education Award from the Greater Bridgeport NAACP in 2021.

 

Beyond her professional contributions, she serves as Secretary of the Board for Phenomenal I Am, Inc., a youth mentorship organization that empowers at-risk girls, and as a board member and scholarship committee leader for the Polished Pearls Foundation, which focuses on educational access, wellness, and support for HBCUs. Yvonne also mentors youth through P.O.S.S.E. (Path of Success Students of Excellence), a church-based leadership program for high school students.

 

As a candidate, she is running on a platform of excellence, equity, and accountability. Her priorities include:

• Strengthening academic rigor while ensuring culturally responsive and inclusive instruction.

• Using data and strategic planning to increase college, career, and life readiness.

• Expanding career pathways, STEM exposure, and access to 21st-century technology.

• Partnering with parents, teachers, and the broader community to support the whole child - academically, socially, and emotionally.

 

“I believe public education is a shared responsibility,” Yvonne says. “We must listen to our students, support our teachers, and engage our families if we want to create schools where every child feels seen, valued, and prepared for the future.”

 

Fun fact: She was one of the first student ambassadors ever appointed to the New Haven Board of Education, a full-circle moment that laid the foundation for the leader she is today.