Gray Collegiate Academy Elementary Campus

"Hello! My name is Allison Strenk, and I am excited to join the Gray team as a second grade teacher this year! I recently graduated from University of South Carolina with a degree in Early Childhood Education.

I am from the Irmo/Chapin area and have coached gymnastics for the past seven years, which has strengthened my passion for working with children and helping them grow.

Outside of school, I love spending time with family and friends, reading, playing pickleball, and enjoying cards and board games.

I cannot wait to create a classroom environment where students feel loved, encouraged, and excited to learn while growing in every aspect of themselves. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to join the Gray family, and I look forward to meeting my students and their wonderful families!"

Welcome to Gray!

"My name is Paige Gilstrap, and I am originally from Texas! I graduated from The Citadel in 2024 and have spent the last two years teaching First Grade!
I love teaching because I enjoy building relationships with students, helping them grow in confidence, and creating a classroom where every child feels loved, supported, and excited to learn each day. Watching students grow academically, socially, and emotionally is the most rewarding part of being a teacher.

I played collegiate golf at The Citadel and love helping guide and encourage students who are interested in pursuing a future in golf.

When I’m not teaching, you can usually find me spending time with my dog, Charli, and my fiancé, Jacob, whether we’re playing golf, trying new coffee shops and restaurants, or enjoying time outdoors together!

I’m so excited to be joining the Gray Collegiate family and look forward to this new chapter in Columbia!"

Please join us in welcoming Brandi Cade as the Instructional and Curriculum Coordinator for Gray Collegiate Academy's Elementary School! 🦅

Brandi brings with her 23 years of educational experience and a passion for student growth, teacher support, and academic excellence. Throughout her career, she has served as a 3rd grade teacher, interventionist, instructional coach, and looping 2nd/3rd grade teacher. Her leadership experience includes professional development, curriculum writing, mentoring teachers, leading data teams, overseeing intervention processes, and supporting inquiry-based learning environments.

Her educational accomplishments include:
📚 BA in Early Childhood Education from USC Spartanburg (now USC Upstate)
📚 MA in Curriculum and Instruction from Lesley University
📚 Graduate Studies Certificates in Instructional Leadership and Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University
📚 National Board Certified in Literacy since 2007
📚 Ambassador for the SC Council for the Teachers of Mathematics
📚 SC Financial Literacy Master Teacher
📚 Gifted and Talented Endorsement

Brandi shared, “I am over the moon excited to welcome our new faculty and staff, families, and students to the GCA Elementary Campus. We are destined for great things. Let’s go War Eagles!”

Outside of education, Brandi has been married for 21 years and is the proud mother of three children — including a firefighter, a graduating Gray senior, and an 8th grader. She enjoys reading, writing, singing, and spending time at the beach.

We are thrilled to have Brandi joining the Gray family and cannot wait to see the incredible impact she will make on our Elementary Campus. Welcome to Gray, Brandi! 🦅