--- title: Maria Gray-Gerhart l Arête Purpose Consulting l Franklin, Indiana description: Maria has been an education administrator and is a published author and artist. image: https://aretepurpose.com/hubfs/Maria-1.png --- [![Arete Purpose l Franklin, Indiana](https://aretepurpose.com/hubfs/New-Arete-Logo-2025-Website-Color-Rev-2.png) ![Arete Purpose l Franklin, Indiana](https://aretepurpose.com/hubfs/Arete-Logo-2025-Website-Color-Rev-2.png)](https://aretepurpose.com?hsLang=en) [LET'S CONNECT](https://aretepurpose.com/contact-us?hsLang=en) Toggle navigation Toggle navigation - - - [CHANGE](https://aretepurpose.com/change) - [Beth's Therapy Services](https://aretepurpose.com/therapy-services) - [Strategic Planning](https://aretepurpose.com/strategic-planning) - [Leadership Coaching](https://aretepurpose.com/leadership-coaching) - CHRONIC TALK - [Overview](https://aretepurpose.com/chronic-talk) - [Community](https://aretepurpose.com/chronic-talk-community) - [WISDOM WORK](https://aretepurpose.com/wisdom-work) - [STUDIO STILLNESS](https://aretepurpose.com/studio-stillness) - ABOUT US - [Our Experience](https://aretepurpose.com/about-us) - [Our People](https://aretepurpose.com/about-us#people) - [Something To Share](https://aretepurpose.com/news) - [Directions](https://aretepurpose.com/directions) - CONTENT - [Blogs](https://aretepurpose.com/blogs) - [Videos](https://aretepurpose.com/videos) - [Books](https://aretepurpose.com/books) - [Email Sign Up](https://aretepurpose.com/email-sign-up) - [CONTACT US](https://aretepurpose.com/contact-us) - [SEARCH](https://aretepurpose.com/search) # Maria Gray-Gerhart ##### Facilitator ![Maria Gray-Gerhart l Arête Purpose l Franklin, Indiana](https://aretepurpose.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Maria-1.png?width=1000&height=1000&name=Maria-1.png) ###### Maria's Focus Maria empowers audiences through engaging talks and impactful art and writing, drawing on a PhD in Educational Leadership and Administration from Indiana State University. As the author of "Always Sunshine Yellow," released in October 2023, her contributions center on leadership development and personal growth. Her work integrates academic insights with practical strategies, fostering meaningful connections and inspiring change. ###### Education - Franklin College, BA in Secondary Education/English - Indiana Wesleyan University, MEd and K-12 Principal Licensure  - Indiana State University, PhD in Educational Leadership  [LINKEDIN](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-maria-gray-gerhart-49293b238/) ##### Always Sunshine Yellow Looking for a friend and a place to reside in truth during seasons of loneliness, chronic pain, or relationship loss? Step into a journey of healing through this inspiring collection of poems from Dr. Anna Maria Gray. [PURCHASE](https://www.etsy.com/shop/AlwaysSunshineYellow) ## Maria's Story Maria has always been an educator. She has spent her career as a high school English teacher and a Principal and served as Director of Training for an affordable housing management company. She was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 2001, her first year of teaching, and she has battled the chronic illness and its effects more in recent years. After losing her position due to an employer's lack of support during a difficult season of her illness, she became an informal advocate for those dealing with chronic health conditions. She is a published author and artist. Always searching out the best in bad situations, Maria writes and creates for herself as much as for others. Being a poet has been a part of her survival and her pursuit of hope. Her poetry instills a tenacious resilience to always chase the goodness of the world-to root oneself in joy. ![Maria-About](https://aretepurpose.com/hubfs/Maria-About.png) - - - - [mailto:jeff@aretepurpose.com](mailto:jeff@aretepurpose.com) *Artwork created by [Beth Johnson](https://aretepurpose.com/elizabeth-johnson?hsLang=en), Arête Partner.* **Arête** 48 West Madison Street Franklin, IN 46131 © 2026 [Arête Purpose LLC](https://aretepurpose.com?hsLang=en) All Rights Reserved - [Privacy Policy](https://aretepurpose.com/privacy-policy)