Retired NC Educator, Former Superintendent Leader

DR. GRADESA M. LOCKHART, Ed.D.

Mebane, NC • 919-***-****

***************@*******.*** • *****************@*****.***

REGIONAL SUPERINTENDENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP

Transformational educational executive with more than 20 years of progressive leadership experience driving academic achievement, organizational effectiveness, leadership development, and systemic improvement across diverse K-12 educational settings. Licensed Superintendent and Doctor of Education with a proven record of improving student outcomes, coaching school leaders, leading multi-school performance initiatives, and building accountability systems that produce measurable results.

Known for leading through complexity, developing high-performing leadership teams, strengthening instructional systems, and aligning strategy, talent, and operations to improve student achievement. Extensive experience managing school transformations, district initiatives, equity-focused improvement efforts, and high-stakes organizational change.

Executive Leadership Competencies

Regional & District Leadership

Executive Coaching & Leadership Development

Performance Accountability Systems

Strategic Planning & Implementation

School Turnaround & Transformation

Academic Achievement & Student Outcomes

Talent Development & Succession Planning

Data-Driven Decision Making

Organizational Change Management

Equity & Whole Child Leadership

Cross-Functional Team Leadership

Board & Stakeholder Engagement

School Operations & Resource Management

Continuous Improvement Systems

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Student Achievement Leadership

Led schools that consistently met or exceeded state growth expectations over multiple years.

Increased Science proficiency by more than 21 percentage points at Bluford STEM Academy. https://onedrive.live.com/personal/c32bfd1287c01054/_layouts/15/doc.aspx?resid=a9ee167b-55ab-4b86-b793-0c627a231c32&cid=c32bfd1287c01054

Achieved 62.3% Math and Science proficiency and 32.9% College and Career Ready proficiency at STEM Early High School despite pandemic disruptions, significantly outperforming district averages.

Helped McDougle Middle School earn School of Excellence status with a 90.4% overall composite score while achieving expected and high growth targets. https://onedrive.live.com/personal/c32bfd1287c01054/_layouts/15/doc.aspx?resid=a9ee167b-55ab-4b86-b793-0c627a231c32&cid=c32bfd1287c01054

Systems & Organizational Leadership

Successfully led multiple schools simultaneously during a community crisis caused by tornado damage and school relocation.

Directed school-wide data teams, instructional improvement systems, leadership teams, and professional learning structures focused on continuous improvement.

Led transformation of a Communications Magnet program into a STEM Magnet Academy, creating a new instructional vision and academic model.

Leadership Development & Executive Coaching

Mentored assistant principals, instructional leaders, teacher leaders, and emerging administrators throughout multiple school districts.

Facilitated leadership teams, professional learning communities, teacher development initiatives, and executive leadership programs.

Developed performance accountability structures that connected instructional practice, student outcomes, and organizational goals.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Interim Director of Instructional Systems Durham Public Schools 2026–Present

Provide district-level leadership for instructional systems, academic initiatives, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement efforts across the district.

Key Contributions

Support implementation of district instructional priorities and strategic goals.

Partner with executive leaders to improve organizational effectiveness and instructional coherence.

Guide performance review processes using student achievement and instructional data.

Strengthen accountability systems that align academic strategy and school execution.

Director STOP Violence Federal Grant Durham Public Schools 2023–2026

Led districtwide prevention, intervention, and student support initiatives serving students, families, schools, and community partners.

Key Contributions

Managed cross-functional support programs impacting multiple schools.

Led organizational systems designed to address student safety, well-being, and engagement.

Coordinated strategic partnerships and community collaborations.

Guided implementation and monitoring of districtwide prevention initiatives.

Wrote and submitted BJA federal grant proposal for FY2025-26.

Assistant Principal

High Point Central High School 2022–2023

Led school improvement planning and accountability initiatives for a comprehensive high school.

Selected Accomplishments

Implemented a comprehensive testing strategy that increased student participation and improved achievement outcomes.

Worked directly with Math I teachers to improve instructional effectiveness and student performance.

Supported implementation of focused school improvement initiatives tied to measurable outcomes.

Principal

Academy at Smith Biomedical Technology & Specialized Health Sciences High School 2022

Served as principal of a specialized early college and workforce development high school.

Results

Achieved a 100% graduation rate.

Ranked among the district's top three schools for growth in Math I, Math III, and Biology. https://onedrive.live.com/personal/c32bfd1287c01054/_layouts/15/doc.aspx?resid=a9ee167b-55ab-4b86-b793-0c627a231c32&cid=c32bfd1287c01054

Established a strategic workforce partnership with CVS Pharmacy.

Earned PTEC Signature School recognition. https://onedrive.live.com/personal/c32bfd1287c01054/_layouts/15/doc.aspx?resid=a9ee167b-55ab-4b86-b793-0c627a231c32&cid=c32bfd1287c01054

Recognized by ACT for increasing African American participation in AP Computer Science.

Met state growth targets. https://onedrive.live.com/personal/c32bfd1287c01054/_layouts/15/doc.aspx?resid=a9ee167b-55ab-4b86-b793-0c627a231c32&cid=c32bfd1287c01054

Principal

STEM Early High School Vance County Schools 2019–2022

Led a STEM-focused middle school focused on college and career readiness utilizing one-to-one instructional best practices.

Results

Produced 62.3% proficiency in Math and Science compared to district performance of 25.1%.

Achieved 32.9% College and Career Ready proficiency compared to district performance of 12.3%.

Earned an "A" School Performance Grade.

Exceeded state academic growth expectations

Principal (Dual Role 1 Year)

Bluford STEM Academy Guilford County Schools 2012–2019

Peeler Elementary School Guilford County Schools 2018–2019

Selected to simultaneously lead two schools after severe tornado damage forced school consolidation and relocation. Responsible for academic outcomes, operations, strategic planning, staff management, and organizational stability.

Key Leadership Outcomes

Led both schools through a significant community and organizational transition.

Consistently met or exceeded growth goals across multiple years.

Increased 5th-grade Science achievement by 21.2 percentage points.

Implemented data-team accountability systems and targeted intervention structures.

Developed teacher leadership, instructional capacity, and schoolwide professional learning systems.

Assistant Principal

McDougle Middle School Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools 2009–2012

Selected Results

Contributed to School of Excellence designation and 90.4% composite performance.

Increased student achievement among African American, Latino, and economically disadvantaged student groups.

Supported achievement of 92.1% Science proficiency among 8th-grade students.

Education

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Educational Leadership

Gardner-Webb University

Master of School Administration

North Carolina A&T State University

Bachelor of Arts, Middle Grades Mathematics & Science

North Carolina Central University

Bachelor of Arts, Biology

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Licensure and Professional Credentials

North Carolina Superintendent Licensure

North Carolina Principal Licensure K–12 https://onedrive.live.com/personal/c32bfd1287c01054/_layouts/15/doc.aspx?resid=a9ee167b-55ab-4b86-b793-0c627a231c32&cid=c32bfd1287c01054

IIRP Certified Restorative Practices Trainer

Certified Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor

Certified Teen Mental Health First Aid Instructor

Executive Leadership & Professional Service

Executive Leadership Development Program Participant

District Equity Leadership Team Member

Exceptional Children Principal Advisory Board Member

STEM Deployment Task Group Member

AG Advisory Board Member

NCPAPA Future Ready Leadership Cohort

Digital Learning Leadership Cohort Participant

References Available Upon Request

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