Dr. William (Billy) Johnson

Dr. William (Billy) Johnson is the Director of Educational Strategy at the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund in Connecticut. He brings his lived experience and education systems perspective to the Memorial Fund’s grantmaking strategies, working closely with community stakeholders and strategic partners.

Born and raised in New Haven Connecticut's Hill neighborhood, Dr. Johnson's passion for teaching and education comes from his own experiences as a student in New Haven Public Schools, where he discovered after arriving to college that he did not receive an equitable education. Dr. Johnson is proud to be a second generation college attendee and holds three
college degrees including his Ed.D. Over a 23-year career, he has worked as special education teacher, middle school math teacher, a first-grade reading teacher, assistant principal, principal, executive leadership coach, assistant superintendent of schools and Acting CEO of a foundation.

Dr. Johnson's passion and life’s work has been educating, supporting and coaching others to become leaders and make an impact in their communities. He is still very connected to his community in New Haven and many educators across the state of CT.