Annette Gray-Thomas currently serves as the Associate Superintendent for Northampton County Public Schools. She has served the students, parents, and NCPS staff in this role for the past 8 years.
Mrs. Gray-Thomas is a 1978 graduate of Northampton High School. In the fall of 1978, she 📷enrolled at Virginia State University. In December 1982, Mrs. Gray-Thomas graduated from Virginia State University with honors earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education with an endorsement to teach students with intellectual disabilities K-12.
At the completion of her student teaching experience, Mrs. Gray-Thomas began her teaching career in Petersburg, Virginia at the former Southside Virginia Training Center for the Intellectually Disabled in October 1982. After more than two and a half years with SVTC in Petersburg, Mrs. Gray-Thomas returned to Northampton County in August 1985 and began teaching at Northampton Middle School.
Under the direct supervision of Mr. Calvin Brickhouse, deceased former principal of Northampton Middle School, and Dr. Patrick Nealon, Mrs. Gray-Thomas engaged in a variety of educational experiences and opportunities. She organized and planned for the division’s participation in Special Olympic activities at the local and state level. Being personally void of any athletic talent, Mrs. Gray-Thomas was drafted to be the Middle School athletic director and cheerleader coach. She coached her middle school team to three consecutive years as middle school cheer champions. She participated in a host of activities and on committees, following are only a few: chaired the curriculum-writing project for the special education department, chaired the special education department at NMS and chaired the NMS Child Study Team. She was a member on the NMS school (BLT) building leadership team, the division’s superintendent’s cabinet, participated as a member on the school-level self-study committee, and participated as the special education specialist member on several Virginia State School Review Teams.
In August 1994, Mrs. Gray-Thomas began her studies at Old Dominion University. She graduated with honors and earned her Masters’ of Science Degree in Education Leadership and Administration with an additional endorsement in supervision in May 1997.
After 12 years as a middle school special education teacher, Mrs. Gray-Thomas entered educational leadership in July 1997. Over the next 21 years, she provided educational leadership and support to students and families through a variety of positions. These varied employment opportunities provided insight into the organizational structure of public schools.
She began her leadership career as the Supervisor of Student Support Services (July 1997-June 2000) and quickly moved on to be the Director of Alternative Education and Federal Programs (July 2000-June 2003), the Director of Special Programs (July 2003- June 2006); and the Director of Secondary Programs (July 2006-June 2007).
In July 2007, Mrs. Gray-Thomas was promoted to principal of Northampton High School (July 2007-June 2010). Her passion for working with students was re-ignited with this new assignment. She served in this role for three years and decided to return to central office administration when requested to do so in the role of Executive Director of Instruction (July 2010-June 2011). This role eventually evolved into an Assistant Superintendent (July 2011-June 2012) position, which later transitioned to an Associate Superintendent (July 2012 to Present)).
Mrs. Gray-Thomas is proud of the 36 years she has dedicated to the education of children. Her educational mantra is simple… “Children First”.
She is the daughter of Bennie and Annie Gray of Eastville. She is married to Pastor Vincent L Thomas, presiding pastor at Bethesda Baptist Church in Jersey City, New Jersey. She is the proud mother to Cleivy & Chanel R Mateo and Olivia S Bennett; and a proud Nanna to three grandsons: Sean Michael Mateo, Grayson Mateo, and Benjamin Mateo.
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