Paul E. Dunford Email and Phone Number

Paul E. Dunford serves as Director of Teaching and Learning for the Christina School District in Wilmington, Delaware. Dunford previously served as the Director of Instruction in the Capital School District in Delaware where he collaborated on the implementation of a comprehensive strategic plan. He facilitated the creation of a PK-12 Teaching and Learning Model supported by the design and implementation of evidence-based instructional tools and processes. Dunford led the dynamic Teaching and Learning Team in the design and implementation of professional learning to increase student performance across all measures. He led the team as they provided vision and tools to support students mental health and social emotional development to meet the needs of the whole child.Dunford served as Chief of the Performance Support and Technical Assistance Branch of the Division of Special Education and Early Intervention Services at the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). He was Director of Middle School Initiatives in the Division for Leadership Development. His team responsibilities included The Maryland Principals’ Academy, The Aspiring Principals’ Institute, and The Academy for School Turnaround. With the award of Race to the Top, the Division of Academic Reform and Innovation was created to lead and support statewide reform efforts. Paul was named Director of Cross-Divisional Initiatives responsible for leadership development through The Breakthrough Center, a Statewide System of Support. His work was with chronically low achieving schools, Turnaround Schools and their local school systems. Dunford was the Instructional Director of Middle Schools for Frederick County Public Schools facilitating plans for system-wide middle school reform. He began his 10 year teaching career in Massachusetts then Athens, Greece. He served as middle school assistant principal, curriculum supervisor for Career and Technology Education and middle school principal. He partnered with the Maryland State Education Association (MSEA) through Quality Schools and was nationally recognized for his work. He was a Maryland Distinguished Principal Fellow serving in the Baltimore City Public School System. He was awarded the Washington Post Distinguished Educator Award, a PTA Life Membership and recognized as a National PTA Outstanding Educator and was Maryland Technology Education Teacher of the Year. Dunford served on the Leadership Institute faculty for the Association of Middle Level Education and has been an adjunct professor at Hood College in Maryland.