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- eight years of experience, serving twenty-four of those years as an administrator. Dr. Gardner earned the reputation as a “Turnaround Specialists” as he improved the culture, climate and academic standing of three different schools two high and one K-8 during his tenure as a principal. Additionally, Dr Gardner served Birmingham City Schools as Director of Career and Technical Education for seven years. During his time as CTE Director the CTE department added several new programs of study in Computer Science, Engineering, Fire Science, and Career Academies.
Furthermore, 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. In June 2023, Dr. Gardner retired after serving five years as the Superintendent of the Sumter County Board of education and currently serves as Executive Director of The Torch Bearer Group in addition to providing educational consulting services through other agencies.