Dr. Anthony L. Gardner

Dr. Anthony L. Gardner is a native of Birmingham, Alabama, and has two adult daughters. Dr. Gardner is a seasoned educator with twenty-seven years of experience, serving twenty-three of those years as an administrator. Dr. Gardner earned the reputation as a “Turnaround Specialists” as under his leadership, the schools experienced improved culture, climate and academic achievement. During his tenure as principal, Dr. Gardner served of three different schools, two high and one K-8, in addition to serving Birmingham City Schools as Director of Career and Technical Education. During his seven year tenure as CTE Director, student participation in CTE programs of study experienced increases in student participation and credentialing, as well as adding new programs of study based on regional industry needs. Furthermore, Dr. Gardner has served five years as a superintendent. Moreover, upon completing his first year serving as Superintendent of Sumter County Board of Education, the school district experienced all of its schools being removed from the ALSDE “Failing Schools List”, and the districts overall accountability score improving by a letter grade.