Welcome to Bluford STEM Academy. 

My name is Gradesa Lockhart and I am excited about beginning my first year as the principal of Bluford STEM Academy.  By way of introduction, my career in education spans more than fourteen years. I began my career as a teacher, working with children and families in Orange and Guilford County Schools.  I have also worked as an adjunct math instructor at Alamance Community College.  Eight years ago, I began my career as an educational leader working as an Assistant Principal in Orange, Alamance, and Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools. 

As the new principal of Bluford, my goal is for students to master academic skills and become life-long learners while at the same time learning how to be safe and responsible members of society.  Through hard work, collaboration and dedication Bluford can become a North Carolina leader in delivering STEM instruction.  STEM is much more than the subjects that make up the acronym (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math). STEM is an approach to education used to increase student’s access to learning and skills necessary for the 21st Century. I have high expectations for academic achievement for all of our students. I expect our teachers to provide high energy, engaging and rigorous instruction every single day.

As you may already know, Bluford STEM Academy is also a Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) school. PBIS is a process for developing strategies to improve the social and learning environments for our students. Throughout the school year, we will be sharing more information about our PBIS program and seeking parent feedback as we strive to increase student achievement at Bluford. 

Please stop by my office at any time to introduce yourself or set up an appointment so that we can get to know each other. I believe a key component of any school’s climate is the relationship amongst the school administration, teachers, staff, parents and our students.  At Bluford our students are the BEST, because they are respectful and responsible, exercise self-control, show kindness to all, and they try their best at all times!  I am looking forward to getting to know all of you and your children, because together we will make a difference in the lives of our Bluford Bulldogs. 

Go Bulldogs!  Ms. Gradesa Lockhart