Excel Academy Charter Schools
Darren Gray has a diverse and extensive background in education, starting with their role as a Corps Member in Teach For America in 2014. During their time there, they were selected as one of the accepted candidates and participated in a Summer Institute for professional development. Darren went on to become an 8th Grade English Teacher and later served as an English Content Leader and Corps Member Advisor, coaching and developing incoming Corps Members.
In 2016, Darren joined RePublic Schools as an 8th Grade Literacy Teacher, where they successfully coached and developed teachers to achieve network and school goals, including increasing student achievement. Darren later became an Assistant Principal of STEM, overseeing the STEM curriculum and coaching teachers to meet academic benchmarks.
In 2019, Darren became the Founding Principal of Catalyst Academy Charter School. In this role, they focused on developing coaching and development models for teachers and leaders within the organization, establishing an instructional vision for academic programs, and cultivating partnerships with community leaders, families, and scholars.
Most recently, Darren joined Excel Academy Charter Schools in 2022 as the Dean of Curriculum and Instruction. Currently, they hold the position of Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, where they are responsible for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization.
Darren Gray has a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in History from Samford University, which they obtained between the years 2010 and 2014. In addition to their degree, they have obtained various teaching licenses and endorsements from different departments of education. In 2015, they received a Class A Teaching License with endorsements in English 7-12 and Social Studies 7-12 from the Mississippi Department of Education. In 2018, the Tennessee Department of Education awarded him Practitioner Teacher Endorsements in Middle Grades Social Studies, History 6-12, and English 7-12. Darren also possesses Pennsylvania Teaching License Endorsements in English 7-12, obtained in December 2019 from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Furthermore, in July 2020, they acquired Pennsylvania Administrative Provisional I certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Additionally, in the year 2021, they attended the Harvard Graduate School of Education and obtained a Certificate in School Management and Leadership.
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Excel Academy Charter Schools
Excel Academy was founded in 2003 with the mission to provide a high-quality education to students in East Boston and Chelsea Massachusetts, communities that are predominantly low-income and Latinx and historically have faced significant social and educational barriers. Our success in Massachusetts is proof that the opportunity gap can be closed. At Excel Academy Charter Schools, we believe that when a student has the support and tools to pursue a productive post-secondary pathway aligned to their personal identity and values, it can fundamentally change their life trajectory. Over the years, we have grown from one middle school to a network of four schools with 1,400 students in grades 5 to 12. In the fall of 2022 we will welcome a founding class of 5th graders to help us launch Excel Academy Rhode Island. By 2032, Excel Rhode Island will run 4 schools serving over 2,100 students from Providence, Central Falls, and North Providence. We present our students with educational experiences that allow them to grow and discover their best selves so that when they leave our halls, they can successfully navigate all of the post-secondary options available to them. At Excel Academy we learn from our students, families, and staff and make improvements. We have increasingly adapted to provide a holistic education that values our community as collaborators in the learning process, social-emotional support, equity for diverse learners, and fosters identity development. We prioritize an approach that is both rigorous and inclusive. Our team of passionate, intelligent, driven, and loving staff are at the core of the work we do. Growth Happens Here.