Fuel OKC Welcomes Foluke Olorunnisola as Director of Quality Schools

Fuel OKC is proud to welcome Foluke Olorunnisola as our new Director of Quality Schools. A seasoned educator with 17 years of experience, Foluke brings a deep commitment to improving student outcomes, expanding access to excellent school options and creating sustainable, community-driven change. We sat down with her during her first week on the job to learn more about her journey, vision and hopes for Oklahoma City’s students and families.

Tell me about your background and what led you to your role at Fuel OKC?
I was born and raised in Oklahoma City and attended schools across the city due to bussing, starting on the northeast side at Preston Hills, then middle school on the south side and high school at Northwest Classen. When bussing ended during my sophomore year, my neighborhood school lacked strong academics and AP courses, so my mom and other parents successfully petitioned the Board of Education for special transfers to keep their kids at their schools.

My mom always emphasized that education would shape my future, and that belief, paired with a teacher who gave me the opportunity to shadow educators, ultimately inspired me to pursue a career in education. I attended Oklahoma City Community College for two years through the OKC-GO program, then transferred to the University of Central Oklahoma, earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in secondary science. I began teaching at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary on the northeast side, where I taught for seven years. 

My sister worked for Teach for America, which led me to explore opportunities there, and I eventually became an instructional coach for Teach for America in Oklahoma City. Over 12 years, I coached teachers and principals, managed other instructional coaches and helped districts with turnaround efforts to improve student outcomes. I loved my role and wasn’t actively looking to make a change, but several people encouraged me to expore the Director of Quality Schools role with Fuel OKC. What ultimately drew me in was the opportunity to take a systems-level approach, working across districts to influence broader change and positively impact even more students. 

What excites you the most about your new role?
 I’m excited to shift from day-to-day “work mode” into a more strategic role that allows me to see the full picture of how district-level decisions shape what happens in schools and ultimately impact student outcomes. It’s powerful to have a seat at the table, contribute ideas and help ensure families know about the quality school options available to them.

How would you describe a quality school?
To me, a quality school is one where students feel seen and engaged, parents are true partners in the learning process and teaching evolves beyond the traditional model to offer hands-on, relevant experiences. The best schools create space for student voice, foster strong family-school collaboration and embrace 21st-century learning to meet kids where they are.

How can schools better engage families who may be less responsive or harder to reach?

To engage more parents, especially those who may be disconnected, schools need to build trust through low-pressure, welcoming events that make school feel safe and approachable. Over time, those small connections open the door to deeper involvement, and even partial family engagement can shift a school’s culture and priorities in powerful ways. The more parents you engage, the more the school system begins to shift, because even if 20% remain uninvolved, having 80% of families at the table brings valuable insights, ideas and perspectives. When families are part of the conversation about what kids need, the entire school community benefits.

What do you think are the biggest challenges facing Oklahoma City public schools?
In my opinion, one of the most significant challenges facing Oklahoma City public schools is low per-pupil funding, which impacts everything from resources to competition for student enrollment. But even beyond funding, there's a major gap in family and community awareness — many parents simply don’t realize where their children should be academically. Schools that actively share data and engage families in understanding student progress can help bridge that gap and spark more meaningful involvement. 

I’ve seen schools share grade-level reading materials with parents, and many are shocked to realize what their child is expected to read and how far behind they may be. There’s often a lack of awareness about academic benchmarks, which makes it harder for families to support learning at home. Just two years ago, the average reading level across the city, from pre-K through 12th grade, was only at a second-grade level. 

Why do you think so many students are falling behind in reading?
A major issue in teaching reading has been the shift away from phonics-based instruction over the years. While recent legislation has mandated a return to the science of reading, real progress depends on fully implementing those changes by replacing outdated materials and ensuring every teacher is properly trained in evidence-based methods. To truly move the needle, we must prioritize phonics and foundational skills in the early grades, so students leave first grade ready to read with confidence to become strong, independent readers.

What are your top priorities in your new position?

While this is only day three and I’m still figuring things out, one of my main responsibilities is ensuring that when we set a growth target for a school — like increasing enrollment from 79 to 120 students — we have the right supports in place to make that happen. That includes improving academic results to make the school more attractive to families, boosting community awareness and ensuring we have the facilities to accommodate growth. Communication is another major priority to help parents and community leaders understand both the urgency of the problem and the progress being made.

What opportunities do you see for expanding quality schools?
One of the greatest opportunities is simply improving communication and being open, clear and non-political about the fact that if we want to be a thriving, competitive city, we need schools that reflect that ambition. Brent’s recent op-ed captured this well: strong cities need strong schools, regardless of whether they’re charter or traditional public. Framing the conversation this way helps shift focus from politics to progress. I also believe healthy competition can drive improvement across the board; when one school succeeds, it can inspire others to ask, “What can we do better?” Lastly, investing in facilities is essential, not just for functionality, but for perception. Families often equate a school’s physical space with its quality, so creating environments that feel modern and aspirational can make a big difference in enrollment and trust.

What gives you hope about the future of public education in Oklahoma City?
I’m encouraged by the diverse models of success emerging across schools throughout the city. From STEAM-focused programs at Dove Schools to college prep at Harding Charter Prep and hands-on learning at RISE STEAM Academy, families now have real choices that match how their children learn best. This variety shows that education isn’t one-size-fits-all, and when schools and families partner to offer personalized options, kids are more engaged and excited to learn.

What is something people might not know about you?
Most people might not know that I’m a foster mom. We’ve cared for five foster children and currently have a two-year-old who’s been with us for a year. I also have a bonus daughter from my husband’s previous relationship, who spends several months with us each year.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I’m deeply passionate about this work because it directly impacts everyone’s future. When students succeed, we’re nurturing the next generation of doctors, lawyers, technicians and more — people who will shape our communities. The more we can support their success, the better off we all are.