Gissel Valois

Gissel Valois, Executive Officer of Administration

Gissel Valois has served at The First Academy since 2013 and currently serves as the Executive Officer of Administration. In this role, Mrs. Valois works closely with the Head of School and Associate Head of School to strengthen organizational effectiveness, support leadership priorities, and advance the mission and strategic initiatives of The First Academy.

Mrs. Valois provides leadership and support across a variety of schoolwide initiatives, with a focus on strengthening administrative operations, leadership alignment and collaboration, program excellence, and the overall student experience. She works across divisions and departments to identify opportunities for improvement, strengthen accountability, and help ensure that TFA’s people, programs, and practices consistently reflect the school’s commitment to Gospel-centered, world-class excellence.

In August 2021, Mrs. Valois led the implementation of The First Academy’s first comprehensive food service program in partnership with Flik Independent School Dining. She continues to oversee the school’s partnership with Flik, including campus catering and dining services, helping ensure an excellent experience for students, faculty, staff, and guests.

Mrs. Valois earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Office Systems Management from Montclair State University. Prior to joining The First Academy, she worked as an Executive Administrator and Project Coordinator in the Margin & Risk Department at Merrill Lynch in New York.

Mrs. Valois and her husband, Juan, are blessed with two daughters. Their oldest daughter, Brianna, is a proud graduate of The First Academy, and their youngest daughter, Jianna, currently attends TFA. As both a school leader and TFA parent, Mrs. Valois considers it a privilege to serve the school community and contribute to its continued growth and pursuit of excellence.