Juandalynn Ray has spent her entire educational career nurturing and fostering relationships with her students. Now, Ray will have a chance to share her passion with other teachers in the Clinton City School district.
Ray has been named as the teacher advancement coordinator. As the 2016-17 Clinton City Schools Teacher of the Year and Sandhills Region Teacher of the Year, the middle school language arts teacher comes with a long list of credentials that qualify her for the job.
As part of the Sampson Middle School staff, Ray was a member of the School Improvement Team, the co-chair of the English Language Arts Department, co-chair of the Curriculum and Instruction Department and served as a mentor in the Buddy Program. These duties, along with her experience in the classroom, made her a good candidate according to Dr. Kelly Batts, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.
“The teacher advancement coordinator position is much needed in this challenging time in public education,” Batts said. “The system will be able to provide additional direct support for recruitment and retention efforts as well as support our existing staff with professional development and leadership opportunities.”
Having recently received accreditation status, Batts said the school system had priority areas outlined, which will require ongoing coordinated efforts across schools and departments. Ray will assist in fulfilling these responsibilities.
“She has exhibited consistent leadership in her current position,” Batts explained. “She is a model of excellence in our district, region, and state. Her skill set will bring a tremendous resource for our school system and community.
As part of her new position, Ray will be overseeing and working to strengthen the Beginning Teacher Support program without losing focus on the veteran staff who also need high quality professional development and teacher leadership opportunities.
Additionally, Ray will lead a teacher advisory group, oversee the continuing accreditation process for AdvancED and help to create instructional alignment. As part of the curriculum and instruction team, she will be highly visible in every school and will also represent the system on a regional and state level.
Ray, who says she is excited about the opportunity, is most looking forward to giving back to the community that has given so much to her during her nearly two decades in the educational field.
“My journey to the Sandhills Region Teacher of the Year began in 1996, when Clinton City Schools gave me the chance to educate our youth,” Ray said. “My passion and 18 years of experience along with the many opportunities provided by being teacher of the year have allowed me to fine tune my leadership skills as well as assist teachers in doing the same.”
As the teacher of the year representative, Rays has spoken at Beginning Teacher Summits, attended and presented at teacher seminars, and just completed the NCCAT Teacher Leadership Institute.
“True teachers know that we are always in pursuit of being better, demanding excellence,” Ray explained. “As I help teachers advance in the classroom, I will also remember to focus on ways to continue improving my leadership skills.”
Ray says she is excited about the opportunity she has to support the teachers and to assist them with developing their own leadership skills and abilities in the classroom, district and community.