Stephen Gay, Executive Director
Stephen Gay joins Bradford Prep as Executive Director and brings 30+ years of educational experience. Stephen is a graduate of NC State with a BS in Secondary Math Education. Stephen’s administrative training occurred at Appalachian State University, earning a Master’s in School Leadership, an EdS. in School Administration, and coursework toward his EdD. Stephen’s educational journey has spanned over thirty years. He taught high school math at Hickory High and became an administrator with Hickory Public Schools, and was the bus coordinator for the district. In 1999, Stephen helped open American Renaissance Middle School in Statesville as the first Principal. In 2007, ARMS was the first charter school in NC to merge with another charter to form American Renaissance School, which continues to thrive in downtown Statesville. In 2013, Stephen joined East Wake Academy as their Superintendent, where he oversaw the growth of the school and six consecutive years of growth prior to the COVID Pandemic. With twenty-plus years in charter schools, Stephen has had the opportunity to work with and for so many great educators, but he is most proud of the many opportunities put in place for kids to find success. Stephen has been married for thirty-one years and lives in Statesville. Stephen and his wife, Kathleen, both graduated from NC State and are both educators. They have three grown children. Family is important to both of them, and they live by the motto "family first."

Kelly Painter, Director of Student Services
Kelly, a co-founder of the school, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, a minor in Psychology, and a Master’s Degree in Counseling. Prior to beginning her graduate work, Kelly was the Director of the non-profit organization Robert H. Mollohan Family Charitable Foundation. During her graduate work at UNC Charlotte, Kelly worked in the Department of Special Education as a graduate assistant for a federal grant program focused on developing a literacy curriculum for students with moderate and severe disabilities. Kelly completed her counseling practicum and internships in the Cabarrus County Schools and then went on to work as a school counselor in Cabarrus County.  Kelly has three children that attend Bradford Prep.

Karin Drescher, Director of Operations
Co-founder of the school, Karin, holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management.  While Kelly manages the academic side of the school, Karin handles the business side of running the organization.  She spent most of her professional years in Information Technology before developing a food service business from the ground up. Karin has led the facility development effort for the school as well as the enrollment process and has overseen the technology program at Bradford Prep.Karin and her husband James have four children, three girls, and a boy, and live in Highland Creek.

Brenda Robinson, Finance Director
Brenda Robinson graduated from Springfield (MA) College with her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She was certified in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, and Middle/High School Math. Brenda taught elementary school for one year, then became a HS Dorm Head and math tutor at Northfield Mt. Hermon School for 5 years. She spent 31 years at Green Acres School- a K-8 brain-based learning school in MD. There she taught MS math for 10 years before going into administration. She was the Business Manager at Green Acres for her last 14 years there. Brenda came to Bradford in its inaugural year. Brenda lives in Harrisburg with her husband Rick. She enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Mia England, EC Director
Hello!  I'm Mia England, a 1992 graduate of East Carolina University, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Special Education. I have taught in Virginia, Texas, and South Carolina; however, most of my time has been in North Carolina. I am a native of North Carolina originally from the eastern corner of the state from a town with one stoplight. I earned my master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Queens University. I have two wonderful, grown sons that mean the world to me and a dog named Brooklyn. When I’m not at work, I can usually be found at my favorite Crossfit box. I am excited to be a part of the Bradford team.

Monica Chapman-Williams, K-2 Principal 
Monica Chapman-Williams graduated, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, from the University of Georgia in 1998. She completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education at the University of North Carolina Charlotte and a Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership and School Administration at Queen's University. She has been in the field of education since 2000, with a few years off to care for her young children. She taught 1st through 5th grades in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools and a private Christian school in Mooresville, NC. In addition, she coached beginning teachers, in the public school system, as an instructional coach. In 2016, she transitioned to Bradford Preparatory School. Monica lives in Huntersville and is passionate about her faith, her family, and serving women and children in the community. She enjoys reading, gardening, writing, exploring the great outdoors, and being a mommy to her three children and one fur baby, Mason.

Chris Locke, Grades 3-5 Principal
Chris Locke graduated with his Bachelor's degree in Childhood Education from SUNY Cortland in 2007. He went on to earn his Master's degree in Curriculum & Instruction Design in 2014 from Ashford University. He taught 5th grade in Mecklenburg County for 7 years before moving to Bradford Prep in 2014. He taught 5th and 6th grade Social Studies at Bradford for 2 years before moving into Administration. He has been at Bradford since it opened in 2014 and has had the opportunity to help develop multiple programs and curriculums. He is passionate about students and his family. Chris lives in Charlotte with his wife, Jessie, and three sons, Jackson, Brady, and Anderson. He enjoys time with his family, woodworking, and spending time outside with his boys.

Kathy Paredi, Grades 6-8 Principal
Kathy Paredi graduated from Dowling College in New York in 1999. She began her teaching career in The Bronx, NY. She moved to NC 17 years ago. She earned her Master's Degree in Administration in 2011. Kathy has also lived in Florida for 2 years. She has taught grades 3-9 during her career. She has taught ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies at multiple grade levels. She is teaching 8th-grade Science at Bradford. Kathy has led NJHS and is currently working on building a greenhouse for Bradford from water bottles. She is passionate about education. Kathy lives in Huntersville with her husband 2 dogs, and youngest son (when he is home from college). She loves to cook, read, do puzzles, and spend time with her granddaughter, husband, two sons, and daughter-in-law.

Billie Little, Upper School Principal
Billie Little earned her Bachelors of Arts degree in History from Queens College in 1987 and her Master of Arts degree in School Administration from Gardner-Webb University in 2007. She taught Social Studies for 18 years at East Mecklenburg High School. After leaving the classroom, she was the testing coordinator and the Dean of Students before becoming an Assistant Principal. Billie coached cheerleading, volleyball, basketball, and softball during her time at EMHS. She retired in 2017 after 30 years at East Mecklenburg HS. Billie joined the staff at Bradford Prep in the summer of 2017 as the US Principal. She lives in Matthews with her husband and three children, Olen, Hannah, and Luke. In her free time, she enjoys cheering for her children at their athletic events, traveling, and spending time with her family, especially her two granddaughters.

Corey Herman, Upper School Assistant Principal
Corey Herman graduated with his Bachelor’s degree in History with a minor in Secondary Education from UNC Charlotte in 2008. He went on to earn his Master’s degree in Special Education in 2015 from UNC Charlotte. He's taught high school social studies, middle school math, and English and worked with students with special needs. He taught in Lincoln County, Cabarrus County, and Cabarrus Charter Academy before moving to Bradford Prep in 2016. He has taught 5th and 6th grade at Bradford and is currently the Upper School Assistant Principal. Corey lives in Stanley County with his wife, Melissa, and three children, Savannah, Samuel, and Benjamin. He enjoys good food, movies, sports, and spending time with his family.