Steve Gallon

Dr. Steve Gallon III has distinguished himself in the field of educational leadership, specifically in the area of school and district turnaround in urban educational settings. Dr. Steve Gallon III was born and raised in Miami’s renowned Liberty City. After graduating from the public school system Miami, he later attended and graduated from Florida A & M University in Tallahassee, Florida, with Magna Cum Laude Honors with a degree in English Education, becoming the first and only of six older siblings to graduate from college. He furthered his education at Florida International University receiving a Masters in Educational Leadership and a Doctorate in Educational Administration and Supervision. He has also participated in postdoctoral leadership institutes on School Reform and Management at Harvard and Stanford University. As a lifelong educator, Dr. Gallon entered the field of education as a teacher and later the administrative ranks of the school system as Assistant Principal. He was later appointed principal of Holmes Elementary School. In his third year and after marked improvements in student outcomes and community involvement and in which the school was removed from State’s List of Critically Low Schools, he was tapped to become principal of Miami Northwestern Senior High School, where he would serve for seven years---earning the third longest tenure in the school’s 50-year history. Under his leadership, student attendance, student performance, and graduation rates increased, as well as the provision of programs in honors, advanced placement, and the arts for the over 3,300 students in the comprehensive urban high school housed in a state-of-the-art facility. Upon his departure as principal, Miami Northwestern showed tremendous growth and improvement, met AYP requirements, and was not subject to any student performance monitoring or accountability structures of the district or State.             In 2005, Dr. Gallon was promoted to the position of Administrative Director in School Operations/Alternative Education in which he was charged with supporting the Office of School Operations and overseeing schools and programs for at-risk students and struggling learners. Under his leadership, there were marked improvements in student performance, attendance, suspension reductions, and student and staff satisfaction. After being charged by the Board and Superintendent to redesigning schools and programs serving struggling learners, Dr. Gallon brought innovation to the district through expanded curriculum offerings, single gender education, career themed academies, and technology-based interventions, as well as new program models for elementary school students and grade configurations. Data from his impact at the District level and in working with the most academically and behaviorally challenged students in Chronically Failing Targeted Schools Serving At-Risk & Struggling Learners improved significantly.   The Alternative Education Redesign initiative, Highways to Success, received positive reviews while presented at state and national conferences and showed   measurable improvements in educational outcomes for students.  In addition, Dr. Gallon served as an adjunct Professor in the area of Educational Leadership at Florida International University and Florida Atlantic University, where he received outstanding reviews from his classes of graduate school level aspiring administrators---many who clamored to get a seat in his courses due to his practical, highly engaging, and inspirational instructional strategies. In 2008, Dr. Gallon was selected unanimously via a nationwide search to be the new Superintendent of Schools in New Jersey. After developing a comprehensive, 4-year Strategic Plan, Dr. Gallon’s turnaround leadership  as Superintendent led to significant and innovative educational reforms in the development of K-8 Centers, Academy for the Arts & Advanced Studies, Academy for Academic & Civic Development, Administrator’s Performance Planning and Evaluation System, School Budget Allocation Plan, Leadership Development Program, Instructional Program Reviews, and District Marketing Plan which included a revised website, Town Hall Meetings, district blog, and weekly radio educational show. Student learning and achievement improved as a result. Also, under Dr. Gallon’s leadership and through his strategic efforts, his district realized double-digit gains on the State’s School and District Accountability System known as QSAC---with the area of Curriculum and Instruction increasing from 8% to 68%; Fiscal Management from 32% to 74%; District Operations from 61% to 79%; Personnel/Human Resources from 38% to 80%; and Governance from 11% to 56%---all within 24 months of his tenure. In 2011, Dr. Gallon, through Tri-Star Leadership, inc. begin to work very closely in support schools and school districts in their efforts to improve student performance and their overall effectiveness and efficiency as learning organizations. Since that time, his efforts has resulted in improved and measurable educational and performance outcomes   A member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Dr. Gallon has received numerous awards for his outstanding professional and community service.  He was recognized as Region III’s “Rookie Principal of the Year”, Elementary School “Principal of the Year”, and “Educator of the Year” by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.  Dr. Gallon was also the recipient of the NAACP Mary McCloud Bethune Educator’s Award.  The College Board recognized Dr. Gallon as one of eight Americans featured nationally in their publication entitled “Heroes of a Different Kind” for leadership and service in education. In 2003, Dr. Gallon released his first book entitled The Principalship: Tribulation and Triumphs which was featured in the national educational publication Education Week, as one of three new titles for principals.  His second book, When Morning Comes: Moments of Struggle, Strength, and Salvation provided the second installment in his urban education trilogy, which marks a work of personal and professional revelation. It was released in the fall of 2006.  In August, 2010, Dr. Gallon released his third book, Education with Love and Without Compromise. Having been featured in numerous media venues, and because of his spirit of enthusiasm, intellect, and dynamism, Dr. Gallon remains one of the most respected educational speakers and consultants in the country.