Grace Anne McKay Named Director of Advanced Academics

Grace Anne McKay has been selected as Denton ISD’s new Director of Advanced Academics. Ms. McKay replaces Dr. Amy Harp, who left the district to pursue other opportunities. 
 
Ms. McKay has spent the last 21 years in Denton ISD, most recently serving as the district’s Secondary Mathematics Coordinator since 2007. She has nearly three decades of experience in education. 
 
“Ms. McKay embodies the heart and soul of Denton ISD, not only as a long-time resident and Denton ISD parent, but also as an employee with more than two decades of unwavering dedication to our district,” said Dr. Lisa Thibodeaux, Executive Director of Secondary Curriculum. “Her extensive experience spans across every vital facet of the Director of Advanced Academics role – from Exceptional Potential (EXPO) to Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), credit by exam, and academic dual credit. I am confident that her approach to leadership and campus support will pave the way for our district to further excel in the type of programming that provides advanced opportunities for all students.”
 
Ms. McKay began her teaching career in 1996 and joined Denton ISD in 2002 as a seventh-grade math teacher at Calhoun Middle School. She was honored by her peers as Calhoun Middle School’s Teacher of the Year in 2004-2005. 
 
In addition, Ms. McKay served as an adjunct professor at Texas Woman’s University in 2013-2014 and 2019-2020. During her tenure as a professor, Ms. McKay taught Financial and Quantitative Literacy, Math Concepts in the Educational Setting and Mathematics Concepts III.
 
Earlier this year, Ms. McKay received the Nancy Trapp Leadership Award from the Texas Council of Teachers of Mathematics (TCTM) for her continued contributions to mathematics education, as well as her outstanding leadership. The award has been given annually since 1995 to a TCTM member for their contribution to mathematics education at the local or state level.
 
Ms. McKay received her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Texas at Austin. She received her master’s degree in mathematics teaching from Texas Woman’s University.