Gifford K. Lockley
Savannah,Georgia
Summary
Accomplished school leader with over 25 years of experience in independent, magnet, and public education, including three years as chief executive of a multi-site arts nonprofit. Currently serving as Head of Upper School at an International Baccalaureate school, responsible for strategic partnerships, enrollment growth, faculty development, and program enhancement. Proven track record in establishing new schools, revitalizing underperforming institutions, and expanding nonprofit operations.
Overview
41
41
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Upper School
St. Andrew's School
Savannah, Georgia
07.2024 - Current
- Lead the Upper School of an independent college-preparatory school offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
- Serve on the senior leadership team and contribute to school-wide strategic planning.
- Recruit, hire, supervise, evaluate, and retain Upper School faculty and staff through classroom observation, coaching, and professional development.
- Work with department chairs to strengthen curriculum, instruction, and assessment, using academic, attendance, and wellness data to guide improvement.
- Managed division budget, master schedule, calendar, safety procedures, and compliance to ensure operational effectiveness.
- Oversaw student support, attendance, and discipline, implementing fair, restorative practices in partnership with counselors, advisors, and families to foster a supportive school environment.
- Collaborated with admissions, advancement, college counseling, athletics, and the arts to lead parent programs and admissions events, enhancing community engagement.
Executive and Artistic Director
Coastal Youth Choirs / Savannah Children's Choir, Inc.
Savannah, Georgia
07.2021 - 06.2024
- Chief executive of a multi-site nonprofit, reporting to the Board of Directors and responsible for budget, operations, staffing, and fundraising.
- Collaborated with Board to develop and implement a five-year strategic plan focused on growth, sustainability, and expansion.
- Launched second and third sites in Dublin, Georgia and Bluffton, South Carolina, taking each from startup to sustainable operation with its own staffing, systems, and community support.
- Directed major gift cultivation and grant writing efforts, securing funding from foundations, corporations, and individuals in two regional markets.
- Increased enrollment through school partnerships, community outreach initiatives, and a targeted retention strategy.
- Implemented compliance, risk, and child-safety policies across all sites.
- Represented the organization to donors, civic leaders, and media in the South Carolina Lowcountry and Middle Georgia.
Principal
Savannah Arts Academy for Visual and Performing Arts
Savannah, Georgia
01.2011 - 06.2021
- Led a nationally ranked, audition-based arts high school of 925 students and 88 faculty and staff, working with the School Council, PTSA, and School Leadership and Data Team.
- Increased academic scholarships earned by graduates from $4.3 million (2011) to $16.1 million (2020).
- Grew Advanced Placement from a limited slate to 34 courses and launched the AP Capstone Diploma Program.
- Developed a strategic plan for Savannah Arts Academy Foundation and PTSA Annual Campaign, enhancing community and business partnerships.
- Formed a partnership with LifeBridge Church that funded a $120,000 sound and lighting upgrade for the school's two theaters.
- Revised audition and acceptance process, increasing representation of economically disadvantaged and minority students.
- Restructured graduation requirements to create concentrations in dance, film, theatre, visual arts, and music (band, orchestra, piano, voice).
- Created teacher-leader coaching pipeline to cultivate future educators and implemented Teacher Keys Effectiveness System for faculty evaluation and growth.
Principal
Nations Ford Elementary School
Charlotte, North Carolina
07.2008 - 01.2011
- Chosen by the Area and District Superintendents to turn around a struggling Title I school with 94% of students in poverty.
- Moved the school to a 60% passing composite on North Carolina End-of-Grade Tests, achieved High Growth in grades 35, and met 21 of 21 Adequate Yearly Progress indicators.
- Secured $646,000 NCDPI 21st Century Community Learning grant with faith-based partner In Time of Need Ministries and additional funding from Readers First, Home Depot, Target, and Wachovia, enhancing student learning opportunities.
- Doubled community and business partnerships, increasing parent volunteer participation by 50% and PTA membership by 25%, fostering greater school-community engagement.
- Developed vision, mission, and beliefs statement along with Technology Plan, aligning school initiatives with strategic goals and improving educational outcomes.
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Founding Principal
Community House Middle School
Charlotte, North Carolina
02.2005 - 06.2008
- Appointed by the Superintendent to open a new middle school, leading all start-up work including naming, staffing, and founding the PTA and Athletic Booster Club.
- Guided the school to North Carolina Honor School of Excellence with High Growth for three consecutive years and met every Adequate Yearly Progress indicator each year.
- Earned a Duke TIP #1 ranking in North Carolina and Top 100 regional ranking (2007), AVID certification (2008), and Crime Stoppers Middle School of the Year (2008).
- Formed teacher-led oversight committees to establish discipline policies, master scheduling, professional development, and intramurals for the inaugural year.
- Led school-wide writing initiative with consultants from Teachers College, Columbia University, and developed ESL initiative and tutoring program to support diverse learners.
- Secured district's first middle school Athena's Path grant for adolescent girls and a grant to evaluate student awareness of substance use and risk behaviors.
- Served as a key member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools team.
Principal
Eastover Elementary School
Charlotte, North Carolina
03.2001 - 01.2005
- Named one of North Carolina's 25 Most Improved K8 Schools by the NC Department of Public Instruction (2002).
- Raised student achievement in reading, writing, and mathematics, narrowing achievement gap between white and African-American students.
- Received the Superintendent's Access Award (2002) for significantly increasing minority representation in gifted and talented programs.
- Secured McColl Foundation and ArtsTeach grants to enhance student writing; launched Breakfast of Champions program and coordinated after-school and Saturday tutoring.
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Principal
Oran M. Roberts Elementary School (Fine Arts Magnet)
Houston, Texas
01.1995 - 01.2001
- Led the school to Texas Exemplary School status and a Texas Monthly four-star rating, the magazine's highest, each year from 1995 to 2001.
- Led implementation of International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (1999), expanding curriculum options and fostering global citizenship among students.
- Secured $100,000 Houston Annenberg Challenge grant over five years; chaired Central District fall and winter conferences to enhance collaboration among schools.
- Received Magnet Schools of Texas Merit Award for Outstanding Elementary Magnet School (1998), Governor's Award for Texas Successful Schools (1995), and Mayor's Award for Educational Excellence (1995) for exceptional school performance.
- Houston Independent School District
Auditing Team Member
Texas School Improvement Initiative, Texas Education Agency
01.1998 - 01.2000
- Ensured compliance with regulations in special education programs to support program integrity.
- Supported Texas Education Agency school improvement initiative planning and coordination.
- Reviewed campus improvement documents for Texas School Improvement Initiative compliance.
- Prepared reports for Texas Education Agency leadership and project teams.
Instructional Coordinator
Magnet Schools, Oran M. Roberts Elementary School
01.1990 - 01.1995
Consultant
Texas Arts Council
01.1989 - 01.1991
Music and Literacy Specialist and Instructional Coordinator
Houston Independent School District and Miami-Dade Public Schools
01.1986 - 01.1990
Education
Doctor of Education program (all but dissertation) -
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FloridaMaster of Education -
Stephen F. Austin State University
Nacogdoches, TexasPost-Baccalaureate Studies -
University of Houston
Houston, TexasBachelor of Music in Education -
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FloridaSkills
- International Baccalaureate coordination
- Curriculum assessment
- Faculty evaluation
- Master scheduling
- School budgeting
- Strategic planning
- Data-driven decision making
Selected Honors and Recognitions
Individual, Exchange Club of Savannah Teacher of the Year, 20202021, Connect Savannah "Best of Savannah" Best Principal/Headmaster, 20182020; Runner-Up, 2021, Community Star, 14th Annual Tribute to Community STARS, Savannah Technical College Foundation, Nominee, Georgia Secondary Principal of the Year (GASSP), 20122013 and 20132014, Outstanding High School Principal, Georgia PTA, 2012, Finalist, Wachovia Principal of the Year, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, 2004, Superintendents Leadership Program, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, 20032004, Fellow, Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association Academy for Principals, 19992000, Houston Annenberg Challenge Principal Academy, 2000, Keynote Speaker, A World of Difference Institute, Anti-Defamation League (Southwest Region), 1999, Savannah Arts Academy, U.S. News & World Report Top 500 High School, Georgia Department of Education Platinum School Award, 20112020, GASSP Breakout School Award, recognizing high-achieving and rapidly improving Georgia high schools, Georgia PTA Model PTA School
Affiliations
- National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), 2005present
- Georgia Association of Educational Leaders (GAEL), 2011present
- Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), 1990present
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Principal and Assistant Principal Association, 20012010: President-Elect, President, and Past President
- National Association of Elementary School Principals, 19952011: National Focus Group for Integration of the Arts
- Principals' Executive Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 20032009
- Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association, 19952001: Ad Hoc Publications Committee; state convention presenter
- Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals, 20112021
- Magnet Schools of America, 19902001
Areas of Leadership
- Governance and strategy: board partnership, five-year strategic planning, senior leadership team service
- Advancement: major gift cultivation, grant writing, annual campaigns, foundation and corporate partnerships
- Enrollment and access: enrollment growth, admissions redesign, retention, multi-site expansion
- Faculty and culture: hiring, evaluation, coaching, teacher-leader pipelines, professional development
- Academic program: IB Diploma and Primary Years Programmes, Advanced Placement and AP Capstone, arts concentrations
- Operations: budget, master scheduling, safety, compliance, child-protection policy
Career Highlights
- Scholarships nearly quadrupled: graduates' academic scholarships rose from $4.3 million (2011) to $16.1 million (2020) at Savannah Arts Academy.
- Academic program built out: grew Advanced Placement to 34 courses and launched the AP Capstone Diploma Program.
- Organization expanded from one site to three: launched Coastal Youth Choirs sites in Dublin, Georgia and Bluffton, South Carolina and brought both to sustainable operation.
- New school opened and led to the state's top tier: founded Community House Middle School, a North Carolina Honor School of Excellence with High Growth three years running.
- Title I turnaround: led a 94%poverty elementary school to High Growth and 21 of 21 federal progress indicators.
- Funding secured: more than $750,000 in competitive grants, including a $646,000 state 21st Century Community Learning grant and a $100,000 Houston Annenberg Challenge grant.
- IB experience at both ends: led implementation of the IB Primary Years Programme in Houston and now leads a division offering the IB Diploma Programme.
Board Service and Community Leadership
- Board of Directors, Savannah Ballet Theatre, 20192021
- Advisory Education Board, Savannah Philharmonic, 20122015
- Savannah Dance Festival: Board of Directors, 20112012; Advisory Board, 20122014
- Advisory Board, VOICEExperience, Palm Harbor, Florida, 20112013
- Advisory Board, Winthrop University School of Education, Department of Educational Administration, 20062011
- Advisory Board, North Carolina Schools Attuned, Chapel Hill, 20062009
- Arts Advisory Council, City of Matthews, North Carolina, 20032004
- Advisory Board, Cultural Education Collaborative (now ArtsTeach), Charlotte, 20022003
- President and Newsletter Editor, Wyndmere Civic Association Board, Matthews, North Carolina
- Interim Director of Music, Southside Baptist Church, Savannah
- Carmel Baptist Church, Matthews, North Carolina, 2002present: Director, Youth Choir (120 members, grades 46); Deacon Search Committee; Sanctuary Choir Featured Soloist
Timeline
Head of Upper School
St. Andrew's School
07.2024 - Current
Executive and Artistic Director
Coastal Youth Choirs / Savannah Children's Choir, Inc.
07.2021 - 06.2024
Principal
Savannah Arts Academy for Visual and Performing Arts
01.2011 - 06.2021
Principal
Nations Ford Elementary School
07.2008 - 01.2011
Founding Principal
Community House Middle School
02.2005 - 06.2008
Principal
Eastover Elementary School
03.2001 - 01.2005
Auditing Team Member
Texas School Improvement Initiative, Texas Education Agency
01.1998 - 01.2000
Principal
Oran M. Roberts Elementary School (Fine Arts Magnet)
01.1995 - 01.2001
Instructional Coordinator
Magnet Schools, Oran M. Roberts Elementary School
01.1990 - 01.1995
Consultant
Texas Arts Council
01.1989 - 01.1991
Music and Literacy Specialist and Instructional Coordinator
Houston Independent School District and Miami-Dade Public Schools
01.1986 - 01.1990
Doctor of Education program (all but dissertation) -
Nova Southeastern University
Master of Education -
Stephen F. Austin State University
Post-Baccalaureate Studies -
University of Houston
Bachelor of Music in Education -
University of Miami