Laura Gray

Instructional Leader

Laura is excited to be joining Defined as a member of the Instructional Learning Team. Laura has a strong passion for integrating equity and high-impact learning models like project-based learning (PBL) into the classroom, sharing her expertise as a clinician at state conferences on topics including Equity and SEL in the Arts. A driving force in her work has been leading and expanding system-wide initiatives and partnerships, most notably the multi-state program MAPS (Music Art Poetry Synchronized). As the CT Coordinator for MAPS, she has brought innovative, student-centered learning experiences to students across multiple schools and states.

Laura’s career began in Hartford Public Schools in 2003, where she gained diverse experience instructing students from elementary to high school. Early in her career, she focused on the power of student growth through hands-on experiences, earning a Master of Arts in Holistic Thinking in 2007. She also completed the Educational Leadership program at Sacred Heart University, earning her 092 Administrative Certification in 2017. Building on this foundation, Laura designed and implemented College and Career Success coursework for the high school level, equipping students with the necessary future-ready skills to succeed while meeting the variety of student interests and needs present in today's diverse educational settings. She serves on the Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) at Great Path Academy, helping to shape teaching and learning practices across the school community. Laura has also stepped into state-level roles, including serving as a Supervisor in the Alternate Route to Certification (ARC) program at the CT State Department of Education. She has facilitated professional learning on Cultural Competency and best practices in Student-Centered Learning and curriculum development.

Laura currently resides in Colchester, CT with her family. Beyond her work in educational leadership and program development, she has served as a Consultant for United Way and the Rockefeller Foundation. She continues to support community organizations as a reviewer for the Hartford Performs Non-Profit, dedicating her time to ensuring the highest quality in programming.