Center Story

Dr. Gray Serves as Superintendent of Schools in Fayette County

September 2, 2010 - Just as King David had the favor of God over his life to be a great warrior and leader for the Israelites, so also does Dr. Cedrick Gray, the new superintendent of Fayette County Schools. He explains that his being an educator is more than just a job; it is a calling. At one point Dr. Gray had contemplated going to law school; however, God redirected his focus. Dr. Gray’s career in education has progressed from serving at Douglass Elementary in 1997 to working at several other schools during his tenure with the Memphis City Schools system before becoming an administrator. He was an assistant principal at White Station Middle School and later became the principal of Craigmont Middle. After a successful stint at Craigmont Middle, he became the principal of Lester School. He was recently appointed to the position of Superintendent of the Fayette County Schools.

In regard to the recent appointment as superintendent, Dr. Gray feels extremely blessed by God to be able to serve in such a capacity. His family is happy for him, also. Dr. Gray attributes his success first to God and also to the preparation process afforded to him by the Ed.D. program at Union University, where he was a student from 2000 to 2004. He says that the most beneficial and brightest points of the experience at Union came from the administrative practicum experience and his completing and defending his dissertation.

Although Dr. Gray has experienced great success, it was not all easy. He remembers a period of time in which he had to reevaluate his time commitments. He says that he was stretching himself far too thin and was becoming a “jack of all trades and master of none." Additionally, he admits that leadership can be taxing at times even though he has enjoyed serving as an administrator. His primary focus and aspiration in tackling the office of superintendent for Fayette County is to “get it right." He realizes that it will take some time to learn how to handle all the responsibilities of a superintendent, for he says that it took him time to be a successful principal. However, Dr. Gray is dedicated to the task. When asked what advice he would give to aspiring students who are currently attending Union, he responded that one should remember that God is the one who orders a person’s steps. In addition, he said that even through the hard times one has to remember the main goal and realize that the tough times will pass.

~Dr. Gray was interview by Abasi McKinzie