Dr. Brian Gaston knows firsthand the challenges faced by students of color in marginalized communities. He attended underserved schools in his hometown of Houston, Texas, yet did not allow his demography to define his destiny. Brian joined Teach For America in 2010 to ensure all students have access to a high-quality education. His vision for a more equitable future has left an indelible mark on the lives of countless young individuals.

Prior to founding The Smiley Institute, Brian was a full-time doctoral student in educational leadership at Harvard University. He completed his doctoral residency as a senior leader with the Division of School Leadership at New York City Public Schools. In this role, Brian led the design and implementation of the citywide school improvement strategy for the system’s 144 priority schools. He also received Harvard’s prestigious Presidential Public Service Fellowship and Adrian Cheng Fellowship for Social Innovation. Additionally, Brian served as an award-winning high school principal, assistant principal, and secondary teacher in the Houston Independent School District (HISD). Some of his most meaningful distinctions include Rookie Principal of the Year, HISD Secondary Teacher of the Year, and leading his campus to the National Blue Ribbon School award.

Brian holds a BBA in Management from The University of Texas at Austin, an M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership from the University of St. Thomas, and an Ed.L.D. from Harvard University.