Gardner-Webb 2017 Alumna Honored with National Milken Educator Award and $25,000

Erica McCray, South Carolina Principal, Receives Surprise Recognition for Transformative Leadership

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Erica McCray, who earned a Master of Educational Leadership from Gardner-Webb University in 2017, recently received a national Milken Educator Award. The honor comes with a $25,000 cash prize she can use for any purpose.

McCray is the principal at Riverwalk Academy in Rock Hill, S.C. Thinking that she was part of an event to celebrate her students’ success on S.C. Ready assessments in English language arts and mathematics, McCray was caught completely by surprise when the announcement was made. Dr. Joshua Barnett, representing the Milken Family Foundation as CEO of the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching, was joined by South Carolina Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver to present the award at a school assembly.

Advancing from teacher to literacy coach, to elementary principal, McCray’s career at Riverwalk Academy has been transformative—for herself and the school. As an administrator, she missed being close to the students. “I work really hard to make sure I’m always connecting with the students and with the teachers as well,” McCray affirmed. “Riverwalk is doing amazing things. We have teachers who love what they do. They care about our students. I always say we are like a family, and we are the reason we keep going every day and that is why we can always give more than 100 percent for our students.”

Using her classroom experience to inform instructional leadership, McCray is the definition of a “teacher’s principal.” During COVID, she was instrumental in redirecting the school from a traditional instructional model to prioritizing project-based learning (PBL). With Riverwalk’s partnership with the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET), McCray utilizes NIET’s educator effectiveness model to support the faculty in this process, which has led to positive growth for educators and learning outcomes for students. 

As part of the school’s emphasis on PBL, students take ownership of their learning and participate in exciting community-centered or passion projects. McCray empowers teachers to utilize real-time student data to drive instruction, monitor progress, and work with students in targeted small groups. She mentors colleagues, provides professional development, visits classrooms daily, and provides constructive feedback. Leading by example, McCray took a graduate class alongside several teachers for PBL training.

Her efforts have contributed to increasing and maintaining a high teacher retention rate—and she has presented on school culture improvement strategies at the South Carolina Department of Education’s Collective Leadership Institute. Riverwalk also received the Palmetto Silver Award in 2023-24 after McCray and a team of teachers reimagined grade-level writing expectations and benchmarks.

McCray maintains excellent rapport with parents and community stakeholders. She hosts parent nights, communicates and collaborates frequently with families, and ensures Riverwalk’s achievements are visible and celebrated in the community.

McCray earned a Bachelor of Arts in general communication disorders from Winthrop University in 2008. She also has a Master of Education from the University of Phoenix in 2012.

McCray’s event is part of a nationwide Milken Educator Awards tour which will honor 30 recipients with the Milken Educator Award and its unrestricted $25,000 cash prize. Along with the financial prize, recipients will join the national Milken Educator Network, a growing group of over 3,000 pioneering professionals across diverse roles and disciplines working to shape the future of education.

Source: Milken Educator Awards Newsroom

About Milken Educator Awards

The Milken Educator Awards represent the nation’s preeminent teacher recognition program, often hailed as the “Oscars of Teaching.” This season will reach more than $76 million in individual cash prizes since the Awards’ first presentation in 1987 and over $146 million invested in the Milken Educator Award national network overall, empowering recipients to broaden their impact and encouraging young, capable people to consider a career in education.

About Gardner-Webb

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Become More at gardner-webb.edu.