Grace Place for Children and Families Board of Directors is honored to announce the appointment of Dr. Timothy B. Ferguson as Executive Director of Grace Place, effective July 1, 2015. Dr. Ferguson is currently the Executive Director for Student Related Services with the Lee County School District, overseeing Exceptional Student Education, Intervention Programs and Student Services.

Dr. Ferguson will bring over 30 years of experience in educational leadership to Grace Place. Prior to his current position, Dr. Ferguson served as the founding Principal of Veterans Memorial Elementary School in Naples, Florida from 2006-2013. Dr. Ferguson served as an administrator with the District School Board of Collier County from 1997-2013. His other administrative appointments while in the Collier County School District included Principal of Shadowlawn Elementary School, Assistant Principal at Pelican Marsh Elementary and Elementary Exceptional Student Education Coordinator at the district office level. While at Shadowlawn Elementary, Dr. Ferguson worked closely with the Schlechty Center for Leadership in School Reform – along with teachers, staff, parents and the community – to facilitate and support increased student achievement. In 2004, Dr. Ferguson was recognized by the District School Board of Collier County Instructional Leadership Department as the “Innovative Principal of the Year” in recognition of his work in integrating technology into classroom instruction.

Prior to coming to Collier County, Dr. Ferguson spent thirteen years as a teacher in the Lee County School District, where he was recognized as a Golden Apple teacher in 1992.

In addition to Dr. Ferguson’s administrative assignments he has also assisted with school district leadership development programs and is a certified facilitator for the National Institute for School Leadership (NISL). Dr. Ferguson received national certification as a mentor principal through the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) in 2006 and is a certified 7 Habits of Highly Effective People trainer. Additionally, Dr. Ferguson is an adjunct professor at Florida Gulf Coast University, University of Florida and Nova Southeastern Universities.

“I am pleased and honored Dr. Ferguson will be assuming the role as our new Executive Director. Dr. Ferguson’s expertise on educational leadership and instruction is an invaluable addition to Grace Places’ efforts to serve the families of Golden Gate City with academic opportunities to help them overcome poverty,” said Grace Place Board Chair Bob Furek. “We will benefit from his insights on 21st Century teaching and learning, and to the broader management of Grace Place.”

“I am honored to be joining the exceptional team at Grace Place and to continue the important mission of the organization, providing pathways out of poverty by educating children and families. I believe that my strengths and talents will assist in moving Grace Place to the next level of development.”

Dave Tobiasz, CFO/COO, will continue to serve as interim executive director until Dr. Ferguson assumes the role in July. Dr. Ferguson is obligated by his contract to serve the Lee County Public Schools.