Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Social Community Service Involvement
References
Professional Committees
Professional Memberships
Timeline
Generic

Buford Griffith III

Arlington,TX

Summary

Seasoned education leader with over 28 years of experience fostering academic excellence, innovative teaching methodologies, developing and nurturing positive school cultures, and strong community partnerships. Adept at strategic planning, curriculum and staff development, with a proven track record of improving student achievement, teacher performance and effective educational leadership. Seeking to leverage my expertise in educational leadership to drive the success and growth of a forward-thinking educational institution.

Overview

30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Teacher

Grand Prairie Independent School District
Grand Prairie, USA
01.2025 - Current
  • Teaching 'Teen Leadership' to middle school students, Grades 6 - 8.
  • Developing a creative curriculum that teaches students how to be leaders both in and out of the classroom.
  • Character development and self-awareness are being taught to students and helping them recognize their strengths and growth areas in becoming better students and citizens in their community.
  • Helping in all areas of supervision before and after school.
  • Strong classroom management and behavior modification techniques to ensure a safe, orderly, and engaging classroom.
  • Strong recordkeeping for documentation of student growth, special-education, and at-risk students.
  • Established positive relationships with school administration and colleagues.
  • Built relationships with students where respect, trust, and empathy are practiced.
  • Quickly built a positive and open-communication relationship with parents, where trust and understanding have been obtained.

Claims Specialist

State Farm Insurance Company
Irving, USA
01.2024 - Current
  • Handle insurance claims for policyholders who have suffered a name peril loss and try to restore them to pre-loss conditions.

Educational Consultant & Guest Educational Lecturer

Principles of Wisdom, LLC
Arlington, USA
01.2015 - 12.2023
  • Created 'Leadership 101' which offers leadership training to newly appointed principals and assistant principals in their first to fifth years of service in their school administration roles.
  • This program also aims to identify potential leaders by cultivating their administrative skills and providing a path for them to become successful district and school leaders.
  • Delivering professional development sessions for administrators encompassing various areas such as School Management, School Budgeting, Marketing, Mentoring, School Culture, School Safety, Parent Engagement, Federal and State Requirements, and Community Engagement.
  • Providing professional development for teachers nationally and internationally.
  • Professional development for teachers in the areas of Classroom Management, Classroom Discipline, Effective Classrooms, AVID Strategies and Best Practices for Schools.
  • Guest lecturer at University of Texas in Arlington.
  • Professional Development workshops in Texas and Bermuda.

Education Superintendent

Southwest Region Conference of Seventh-day Adventist
Dallas, USA
01.2015 - 12.2023
  • Held an elected position with the Seventh-day Adventist Church organization for two (2) consecutive four-year terms.
  • Served as the Head of Schools of eight (8) Private Christian schools in the States of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas.
  • Position also oversaw the Human Resources within the Education Department, lead in the recruitment and placement of principals and teachers, managing job postings and job descriptions, facilitating transfers, terminations, and dismissals in the field of education.
  • Also responsible for conducting evaluations for principals and teachers, as well as developing and implementing growth plans for their professional development when necessary.
  • Taking charge of developing comprehensive long-term plans for educational advancement, including areas such as budgeting, evaluating schools, curriculum development, facility management, personnel oversight, and strategic decisions like establishing new schools or consolidating existing ones.
  • Ensured that schools adhere to the policies and procedures of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventist Education School System and maintained their compliance.
  • Introduced and implemented a STEM curriculum throughout the district and partnering with LEGO's First Program to incorporate robotics throughout the schools.
  • Developed the district's first STEM school in Little Rock, AR in 2022.
  • Providing leadership for in-service education programs.

Principal

North American Division of Seventh-day Adventist Education Department
01.2012 - 12.2015
  • Directed and managed instructional programs and supervised operations and personnel for all grade levels PK-12th.
  • Built common vision for school improvement with staff.
  • Directed planning of activities that put programs in place with staff to ensure attainment of school's mission.
  • Promoted a positive school climate and high expectations through effective communications with students, staff, parents and community.
  • Re-established the grading policy to promote high expectations and encouraged high academic rigor.
  • Implemented AVID strategies in grades 5th - 12th.
  • Developed and supervised budget procedures and internal control measures for the campus.
  • Developed positive relationships with staff, students, parents, community members, board members, pastors and constituent churches.
  • Set up partnerships with different departments within the cities, surrounding cities, and other community-based organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, so that the students could obtain and fulfill community service hours.
  • Communicated mission and campus plan to the community while projecting a positive image.
  • Conducted professional development workshops for teaching staff.
  • Managed use of school facilities. Supervised maintenance of facilities to ensure a clean, orderly and safe campus.
  • Successfully established partnerships with two schools in China to enhance the foreign exchange program.
  • Successfully recruited foreign exchange students from China, Vietnam and Korea to attend schools here in the U.S.
  • Managed use of school facilities. Supervised maintenance of facilities to ensure a clean, orderly and safe campus.
  • Began implementing strategies through the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program to help foster a safe environment for students.

Assistant Principal

Arlington Independent School District
Arlington, USA
01.2003 - 12.2012

Adjunct Professor

Southwestern Adventist University
Keene, USA
06.2009 - 08.2009
  • Co-taught 'Trends in Education' to students pursuing a master's degree in educational administration.

Varsity Girls' Basketball Head Coach

Kelloggsville High School
Wyoming, USA
01.2002 - 01.2003

Assistant Principal

Kelloggsville Middle School
Grand Rapids, USA
01.2001 - 01.2003

Assistant Head Girl's Track Coach

Wyoming Park High School
Wyoming, USA
01.1996 - 01.2001

Eighth Grade Boys Basketball Head Coach

Newhall Middle School
Wyoming, USA
01.1995 - 01.2001

Social Studies Teacher

Newhall Middle School
Wyoming, USA
01.1995 - 01.2001

Head Cross Country Coach

Newhall Middle School
Wyoming, USA
01.1998 - 01.1999

Education

Master's Degree - Secondary Educational Leadership

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan
09.2002

Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education

Oakwood College
Huntsville, Alabama
01.1995

High School Diploma -

Centerville High School
Centerville, Ohio
01.1990

Skills

  • Proficient in Apple software
  • Experience with Microsoft applications
  • Proficient in Word
  • Excel spreadsheet management
  • Visual communication skills
  • Experience with Adobe applications
  • Effective communication
  • Collaborative teamwork
  • Effective problem resolution
  • Responsive to new challenges
  • Leadership training
  • Professional development

Certification

  • Principal Certificate, Grades EC - 12, Texas, 2021-2027
  • Teaching Certificate, Core Subjects with STR, Grades EC - 6, Texas, 2024-2025
  • International Baccalaureate Administrative Certification, Diploma Programme, Level 1, 02/01/06
  • International Baccalaureate Administrative Certification, Diploma Programme, Level 2, 12/01/10

Social Community Service Involvement

  • Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Director of Education - Nu Pi Lambda Chapter, Arlington, TX, Program Director of Alpha Ambassadors Mentoring Program, Providing advocacy and service for communities.
  • Deputy Voter Registrar, Tarrant County, TX

References

Provided Upon Request

Professional Committees

  • Chairman, Regional Education Superintendent's Association, 2017 - 2023
  • Education Advisory Member, Southwestern Union Conference of SDA, Burleson, TX, 2015 - 2023
  • Curriculum Committee Member, Southwestern Union Conference of SDA, Burleson, TX, 2015 - 2023
  • Early Childhood Committee Member, Southwestern Union Conference of SDA, Burleson, TX, 2015 - 2023

Professional Memberships

  • National Association of Secondary School Principals, 2001 - Present
  • National Association of Elementary School Principals, 2012 - Present
  • Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development, 2015 - Present

Timeline

Teacher

Grand Prairie Independent School District
01.2025 - Current

Claims Specialist

State Farm Insurance Company
01.2024 - Current

Educational Consultant & Guest Educational Lecturer

Principles of Wisdom, LLC
01.2015 - 12.2023

Education Superintendent

Southwest Region Conference of Seventh-day Adventist
01.2015 - 12.2023

Principal

North American Division of Seventh-day Adventist Education Department
01.2012 - 12.2015

Adjunct Professor

Southwestern Adventist University
06.2009 - 08.2009

Assistant Principal

Arlington Independent School District
01.2003 - 12.2012

Varsity Girls' Basketball Head Coach

Kelloggsville High School
01.2002 - 01.2003

Assistant Principal

Kelloggsville Middle School
01.2001 - 01.2003

Head Cross Country Coach

Newhall Middle School
01.1998 - 01.1999

Assistant Head Girl's Track Coach

Wyoming Park High School
01.1996 - 01.2001

Eighth Grade Boys Basketball Head Coach

Newhall Middle School
01.1995 - 01.2001

Social Studies Teacher

Newhall Middle School
01.1995 - 01.2001

Master's Degree - Secondary Educational Leadership

Grand Valley State University

Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education

Oakwood College

High School Diploma -

Centerville High School

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