About Me

Leigh Ellen Ray, M.Ed.

I am passionately committed to maximizing individual student success through teamwork with colleagues, ongoing professional learning, creating a learning environment that supports the achievement of every single student, and collaborating with families.

TN licensed K-6 Teacher; Reading Specialist/Coach Licensure (PreK-12); ESL Licensure (K-12); STEM certification

Education

Master of Education: Literacy Specialist/Coach PreK-12 Licensure, ESL Endorsement (May 2023, GPA 4.0), East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN. Member of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

STEM Certificate (May 2023, GPA 4.0), East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN

Master of Education: Instructional Design (May 2016-April 2017), Western Governors University. Incomplete due to finances. [view completed courses here] Two-thirds of program completed.

Higher Education and K-12 Learning Management Services Design Certificates (2015), Quality Matters, MarylandOnline (MOL) consortium

Graduate Teacher Licensure Program (May 2010, GPA 4.0), Elementary Education, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Computer Technician (2001), certification, North Carolina State University, Computer Training Unit

Bachelor of Arts ( December 1999, GPA 3.8), Journalism, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Dean’s List, Kappa Tau Alpha Honor Society, Golden Key National Honor Society, Graduated with Honors

Associate of Arts (June 1982), Bryn Athyn College, Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania

Employment

Johnson City Schools (2022-present) Substitute Teacher, Johnson City, TN

East Tennessee State University (August 2021 – May 2023), Program Manager for America Reads Challenge

Rehability, LLC (November 2019 – November 2022), Database Administrator, Ticket-to-Work Customer Service [online], part time (includes General Security Clearance with United States government)

VIPKid HK Limited (March 2019 – June 2021), Online English Language Learners teacher (PreK-HS)

Johnson City Schools (2017 – 2018), ELA Classroom Teacher, Indian Trail Intermediate School, Johnson City, TN

Kenai Peninsula Borough Schools (2011 – 2017), Primary Classroom Teacher, Seward Elementary School, Seward, AK

Kenai Peninsula Borough Schools (2005 – 2011), Substitute Teacher Seward High, Middle, and Elementary Schools, Seward, AK

Kenai Peninsula Borough Schools (August 2009 – May 2010), Student Teacher Seward Elementary School, Seward, AK

Kenai Peninsula Borough Schools (Nov. 2007 – May 2009), ELL Tutor Seward High, Middle, and Elementary Schools, Seward, AK

Durham Herald-Sun (Jan. 1998 – 2003), Freelance Reporter, Durham, North Carolina

UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center (1997 – 1998), media/public relations intern, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Journal Publications

Literacy Association of Tennessee Journal (pending), Rethinking Family Engagement

Grants

Johnson City Public Schools Foundation, Literacy Grant for $2,000 (Awarded 3/28/2023)
Donors Choose Grants, more than $20,000 over the course of several years while teaching at Seward Elementary School, Seward, Alaska. Click Here.

Professional Memberships (current)

International Literacy Association
National Science Teaching Association
International Society for Technology in Education
TN TESOL
Literacy Association of Tennessee
Gilbreath Reading Council

Professional Involvement

Presenter

April 2023, Novel Engineering Professional Development, presenter. South Side Elementary, Johnson City, TN
2021: Literacy Association of Tennessee 50th Annual Conference, presenter. Murfeesboro, TN
February 2017: Alaska Society for Technology in Education, presenter. Anchorage, Alaska. Blended Learning in Elementary
October 2016: West Homer Elementary School, presenter. Homer, Alaska. Blended Learning and Canvas Integration. Worked one-to-one with several teachers during the morning hours to help them develop Canvas courses and modules. In the afternoon, led a workshop for 12 teachers that allowed them to experience the blended learning model first-hand. At the end of the afternoon workshop, teachers worked on Canvas courses with my assistance.
August 2016: KPBSD District in-service, presenter. Soldotna, Alaska. Blended Learning in Elementary. More than 100 teachers participated in an online, interactive 2-hour class that detailed creating a blended learning classroom.
May 2016: Leadership Academy, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, presenter. Soldotna, Alaska. Showcase of Blended Learning in an elementary classroom.

Participation or Member

2021-2023: ETSU Sherrod Library, member. Student Advisory Council
2018: Teacher Leader Cohort III, Johnson City School District, member. Johnson City, TN. This District cohort is charged with assisting teachers during implementation of technology for learning in the classroom as well as leading a summer technology camp (2019). To accomplish this, cohort members attend professional conferences and trainings, collaborate regularly, and become Google Certified Educators.
August 2015 to May 2017: Innovation Committee, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, member. This District committee, comprised of principals, teacher leaders, and administrators, is charged with creating a plan for implementing personalized learning in all schools within the next five years. To accomplish this, committee members must develop professional development guidelines and opportunities; purchase technology to support blended learning, competency-based learning, and project-based learning; and create policies to shift academics, curriculum, and school structure in the district.

Professional Learning Experiences

October 2018: iNACOL Symposium. attendee. Nashville, TN (highlights)
June 2018: ETSU STEM & Education Conference. attendee. Johnson City, TN (Agenda)
February 2016: Alaska Society for Technology in Education Symposium, attendee. Anchorage, AK. Where Technology and Education Converge. Promoting access to technology, connectivity to information resources, and technology integration for all Alaskan learners.
November 2015: iNACOL Blended and Online Learning Symposium, attendee. Orlando, FL. I attended this symposium as a member of my district’s 2015/16 DTi cohort. iNACOL’s annual conference is the industry’s leading event for K-12 online, blended and competency-based learning. Experts, practitioners, educators, policymakers, and researchers gain access to expertise, analysis, and trends in online, blended and competency education.
August 4, 2015: Youth Mental Health First Aid, certification. Seward, AK. An 8-hour public education program intended for adults that introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. Mental.Health.First.Aid.Certificate
June-July 2015: International Society for Technology in Education Conference & Expo, attendee. Philadelphia, PA. Pushing the boundaries of education by harnessing the power of technology to advance learning and teaching; connecting with other innovative educators; taking my skills to the next level by participating in the world’s largest and most comprehensive ed-tech meeting of the minds.
June 2013: Leadership Academy, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, attendee. Soldotna, Alaska.

Certifications & Awards

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (2023)
ETSU Clemmer College Jane Melendez Reading Award (May 2022). This award honors an outstanding student in the Master of Education in Reading program.
TEFL Certification (June 2021)
State of Tennessee Teacher Certification (July 2017 to present), Highly Qualified K-6
State of Alaska Teacher Certification (June 2010 to July 2021), Highly Qualified K-8, Journalism K-12
TESOL International Association, Advanced Program for Teaching English Online certificate (awarded 2020)
Western Governors University Excellence Award (2016)
BP Alaska Teacher of Excellence Nominee (2017, 2015, 2014, & 2013)
Microsoft Partners in Learning Winner & participant in Bellevue, WA, (August 2012). Winning project: “Seward, Alaska: Through Young Eyes”
ETS Recognition of Excellence for an outstanding score on The Praxis Series, Elementary Education: Content Knowledge, (2008)
National Writing Project/Alaska State Writing Consortium Mini-Award (2009)
Heart Journalism Award, in-depth writing (1999)
Heart Journalism Award, feature writing (1999)
Golden Key National Honors Society inductee (1999)
Kappa Tau Alpha inductee (1999), a national society dedicated to the recognition and promotion of scholarship in the field of journalism, earned by excellence in academic work

Coursework & Experiences

Instructional Design, (2016 to 2017) Western Governors University (non-degree graduate work)
Rural Alaska Teacher Immersion Experience, (July 2016) near Allakaket, Alaska, at an indigenous base camp along the Yukon River.
Rural Alaska Communication & Culture, (Summer 2015) University of Alaska Anchorage (non-degree graduate work)
A Deeper Understanding of Danielson’s Framework for Teaching, (Spring 2015) Alaska Pacific University (non-degree graduate work)
Exploring Prince William Sound: Chugach National Forest (Summer 2014) with Chugach National Forest Wilderness Manager Tim Lydon. Alaska Geographic & UA Southeast (3 credits, graduate level). This six-day course took place in the scenic heart of western Prince William Sound via kayak. Emphasis was placed on exploring the area’s human and natural history, with the human relationship to nature as a central theme. While camping and traveling by kayak in the Wilderness Study Area in western Prince William Sound, the group explored the area’s Alaska Native history, early Euro-American activities, evolution of the Chugach National Forest, 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, and the local effects of global climate change. Topics also included flora, fauna and glaciers. Immersed in wilderness travel and themes, participants discussed new ways to incorporate the natural world into teaching methods.
Motivating and Engaging Students, (Winter 2014) Alaska Pacific University (non-degree graduate work)
Instructional Strategies: Cooperative Groups (2012-2013, 15 Contact Hours)
Technology Academy, (May 2012) Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, Alaska
Write Tools 101 Training, (December 2011) Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, Alaska
Power School (Fall 2011) Train-the-Trainer seminar
National Science Teachers Association, (July 2011) A Framework for K-12 Science Education, 1.5 hour NSTA Web Seminar
Alaska Alive! (Spring 2011) Alaska Pacific University (non-degree graduate work). Understanding the culture of Alaskan Natives to improve student achievement, led by Father Oleksa. Also watched Father Oleksa’s “Communicating Across Cultures” DVD series.
Teacher Practicum (February 7 – 13) in rural Alaska (bush village, Newtok), University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Small Schools Curriculum Design, (Summer 2010) University of Alaska Fairbanks (non-degree graduate work)

Education-Related Volunteering

Homeschool Support (Summer 2020 – Spring 2021) I tutored four elementary-aged homeschooled children in reading. (references available upon request)
Vello Volunteer for the Greater Philadelphia School District. (2019 participant) Vello is an innovative, 1:1 tutoring program from United Way that matches tutor teams with local classrooms for guided reading support. As a volunteer, I scheduled classroom reading time with individual students in Philadelphia public schools.
Granny Cloud Volunteer. (2019 participant) As a volunteer, I interacted with groups of children in remote villages of India, engaging them in conversation and in activities of various kinds, such as reading, telling stories, and exploring big questions.
First Lego League School Club Coach (2014-2015; 2017-2018)
Advisory Committee, Alaska Environmental Literacy Plan, 2011-2012. Final Document (online, updated)
Alaska Division of Forestry, UAF, School of Education, Summer 2010, created two PowerPoints for elementary schools about wildfire (grades K-3, 4-6)
Cultural Bias in Standardized Tests Advisory Committee, Department of Education, Summer 2010

Extra-Curricular Educational Activities

Sherrod Library Student Advisory Commmittee (present), East Tennessee State University
First Lego League certified robotics coach for Indian Trail Intermediate School (August 2017 – December 2018).
Author of CANVAS modules for Johnson City Schools English Language Arts curriculum (February – June 2018), shared to Canvas Commons for 6th grade ELA teachers.
2016-2017 Teacher Enrichment Pathway, Genius Hour in Elementary Education, by Leigh Ray and Susan Pfeiffenberger. The goal of this project is to create a database of resources and design a year-long course of instruction for elementary school teachers, which supports effective integration of Genius Hour, also called 20% time, in elementary classrooms. Genius Hour activities draw upon science, technology, engineering, and math.
Author of CANVAS modules for KPBSD English Language Arts Common Quarterly Assessments (August 2016), shared to Canvas Commons for K-6 teachers
Coordinator for the Hour of Code event, Seward Elementary School (2013 – 2016)
William H. Seward Elementary School Technology Committee (2013 to 2017)
English Language Arts Curriculum Committee for Standards Alignment, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (2013 to 2016)
Coordinator for Jump Rope for Heart, Seward Elementary School (2011 -2017)
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, DTi Cohort, Blended/Online Learning (2015-2016)
Co-Founder of the Seward Code Club, which has offered programs in Lego Robotics (both WeDo and Mindstorms) and computer programming both during school, after school, and during the summertime. (2013 to 2016)
First Lego League certified robotics coach. The team, Resurrection Bay Brainstormers, was part of the Seward Code Club and met after school once a week. Our team competed regionally. (2014-2015)
Seward Elementary Vision and Mission Committee (2013-2014)
Schoolyard Habitat committee (2012-2014)
Seward Schools Site-Based Council secretary (2012-2014)
Place-Based Social Studies: Seward Alaska Through Young Eyes (2012) – student projects tied to local chamber of commerce and tourism industry through brochures, website, podcasts, field trips, guest speakers, history studies
Alaska Environmental Literacy Plan steering committee (2012)
Boys & Girls Club Leader & Science Teacher, (June 2011), DaVinci Summer Camp. View news article (click here) and video (click here).
Bias & Sensitivity Review committee for the Alaska state assessment with Data Recognition Corporation (August 2010)

Community Service

Homeowner Association President, Johnson City (2019)
One Acre Café, Johnson City, volunteer (2019)
Seward Arts Council, board member (vice president, 2013-2016)

Webinars

Equitable Coherence: District & System Planning and Implementation, Achievement Network (March 1, 2022)
International Literacy Association: Supporting Multilingual Learners With Translanguaging Strategies (Sep 14, 2021)
World Class: How to Build a 21st-Century School System (July 2018)
First Lego League Ask an Expert (October 2017)
Master Teacher Meetups through Better Lesson TeachCycle (2015-2016)
Future Ready Schools | 2015 School Leadership Summit, June 24, 2015 (8 hours)
Teachers Know Best: Making Data Work for Teachers and Students, June 3, 2015 (1 1/2 hours)
Environmental Education: Implementing Your State Literacy Plan Webinar, April 2012

Fun Stuff

I won $10,000 in computer hardware for our school through Code.org (Fall 2014). Through this award, our school received a 3D printer (MakerBot), 28 Chromebooks, web cameras for every classroom, document cameras (8), mp3 players, and more.
I have had multiple Donor’s Choose projects for my classroom fully funded, worth thousands of dollars (2012 to present). Through these projects, my classroom has gained 27 Amazon tablets for 1:1 learning activities, headphones, a conference webcam, ten mp3 players, 6 cameras, a complete non-fiction library (with bins), a complete fiction library (with bins), digital recorders (2), Jr. Great Books curriculum for 30 students, watercolor paper, hand sanitizer, wireless keyboard and mouse, microphone, SAM animation kit, craft supplies, and more.
Senior Honors Thesis, UNC-CH (1999): Media reaction to the JAMA 1998 issue on Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Leigh Ellen Martz, aka Leigh Ellen Ray (PI)

Classroom Without Walls

Global Read-Aloud Project, Fall 2016, partnering with a second grade in Raleigh, NC
Global Project: Make This World A Little Better, led by Cheryl Arnett, a closed Facebook group
Global Read-Aloud Project, Fall 2015
Community Service: Thanksgiving Songs & Poems at Mountain Haven Elder Home, 2013-2016
Global Read-Aloud Project, Fall, 2014
ClassDojo Advertisement: professional filming at Seward Elementary, featuring my classroom and Mrs. Fabian’s classroom
- Advertisement #1
- Advertisement #2
Flat Classrooms Global Collaboration, 2013-2014
Thanksgiving Celebration: Skype Presentation for the Elderly, November 2013
Place-Based Social Studies: Seward Alaska Through Young Eyes (2012) – student projects tied to local chamber of commerce and tourism industry through brochures, website, podcasts, field trips, guest speakers, history studies

Other Employment

I have also owned and operated three businesses over the years:

Rayword IT Professionals, Inc., Seward, Alaska, 2005 to 2017 (software development, web authoring, small business marketing). I authored websites for small businesses and created their business cards and brochures.
Raysong, Inc., 2005 to 2010, Seward, Alaska (Bed & Breakfast Inn). I ran (and owned) an 18-bed guest inn during the tourist season for five years. This involved gourmet breakfasts, bookings/reservations, customer service and guest entertainment, cleaning and decorating, marketing, overseeing employees, and more.
Martz Communications, Inc., 1999 to 2005, Durham, North Carolina (marketing consultant). I created marketing materials for small business and assisted with websites.

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