Posted on October 21, 2020
23-year education veteran brings extensive teaching and administrative experience to role
RANDOLPH, N.Y. — (OCT. 21, 2020) — The Randolph Academy, which supports, empowers and educates children with various emotional and mental health disabilities from its campuses in Randolph and Hamburg, N.Y., has appointed Theresa L. Gray as its new Director of Curriculum and Instruction.
Ms. Gray joins Randolph Academy having most recently served as Assistant Superintendent of Schools with the Dunkirk City School District, where she oversaw all aspects of curriculum, instruction and assessment for the district. She also served as School Improvement Coordinator with Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES for 17 years and has adjunct teaching experience with Canisius College. She began her career as a tenured middle school social studies teacher within the Kenmore-Tonawanda District.
“Theresa’s background is extensive and diverse,” said Randolph Academy Superintendent Lori DeCarlo, who has led the district in becoming Western New York’s K-12 experts in Restorative Justice, an effective alternative to punishment-based school discipline. “We’re very pleased to be adding someone with her depth of administrative and teaching experience to our team.”
In her new role, Gray will plan, implement and manage the curriculum, instruction, assessment and programs for the district to improve student achievement. She will also plan, implement and manage teacher evaluation; prepare, submit and oversee all consolidated and federal grants; and advise the superintendent and campus principals on a variety of matters, among many other duties.
“I’m excited and honored to be joining the Randolph Academy team,” Gray said. “I’ve admired the work they have done in Restorative Justice for years. Their commitment to non-punitive forms of discipline has created an environment of mutual respect at their schools — ideal for students who are learning to manage their emotions. I’m so pleased to be able to help them continue this important work and help these great kids to succeed.”
Gray holds two master’s degrees, including one in Education Leadership from Canisius College and one in Social Studies Education from the University at Buffalo. She also earned her juris doctorate from the University at Buffalo’s School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College in History. She resides in Hamburg, N.Y.
About Randolph Academy
The Randolph Academy Union Free School District supports, empowers and educates children in grades K-12 who have a variety of emotional and mental health disabilities stemming from various causes and conditions. The nearly 200-student district is comprised of a residential campus, whose origins trace back to the 1860s in Randolph, N.Y. and serves students from throughout the state, and a day school in Hamburg, N.Y., which serves students from dozens of districts across Western New York.
With a flexible structure and non-traditional classrooms, Randolph Academy focuses on the power of relationships to help students achieve academic progress, with the ultimate goal of graduating high school and preparing for life as productive adults. Its staff are experts in the concepts of Normative Culture, a sociological method using positive peer pressure to influence behavior rather than a system of rules, and Restorative Justice, an alternative to suspensions and other punitive approaches. Through specialized academic instruction and therapeutic interventions, students achieve Regents and local diplomas, as well as Career Exit Credentials. To learn more, visit www.randolphacademy.org.
