Articles by: Dr. Kecia Ray

Dr. Ray's career includes designing technology within the Frist Center for the Visual Arts and directing technology research through Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Science Outreach programs. As a district administrator for Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, she led the award-winning design, implementation, and evaluation of instructional technology programs, including instructional design for online and blended learning environments, redesigning physical learning environments, redefining school libraries, and establishing the first virtual high school to award the diploma. She leads K20Connect (opens in new tab) and other passion projects supporting K20 education around the world.

Lady Luck: The Challenges of Women Moving Into Education Leadership

By Dr. Kecia Ray published 14 March 23

Despite long making up more than half the education workforce, women have had a long struggle getting to the highest leadership positions

For The Love of Learning

By Dr. Kecia Ray published 13 February 23

Instilling a love of learning in our students can pay many long-term dividends

Education Re-Solutions for 2023

By Dr. Kecia Ray published 13 January 23

Synonyms for the word resolution could serve as guidance for solving education problems in the year ahead

What is Measured Learning Measuring?

By Dr. Kecia Ray published 15 December 22

If we’re going to improve education, we need to first improve how we measure learning

Fight or Flight: How to Respond to Educational Leadership Changes

By Dr. Kecia Ray published 14 November 22

School districts are changing educational leadership more quickly than ever, so it’s necessary to prepare for the inevitable

Addressing Fear of Accountability in Education

By Dr. Kecia Ray published 17 October 22

For many school leaders, the idea of accountability can bring about fear and/or anxiety

Restoring Hope and Optimism in Schools

By Dr. Kecia Ray last updated 12 September 22

Restoring hope and optimism in schools can start with simply creating positive vibes

Bringing Back Joy to the Classroom

By Dr. Kecia Ray published 29 August 22

How to get that joy, joy, joy back in our teaching

Innovation in Education

By Dr. Kecia Ray last updated 12 August 22

Sustaining a culture of innovation at your school or district involves more than just coming up with new ideas.

Crossing the Mastery Gap

By Dr. Kecia Ray published 27 July 22

To improve mastery, increasing the intentionality and continuity of certain best practices will undoubtedly impact overall student success

5 Things School Leaders Should Do This Summer

By Dr. Kecia Ray published 6 June 22

Summer provides a great opportunity for school leaders to get a jump on the next school year

The Superintendent Shuffle

By Dr. Kecia Ray published 5 May 22

Finding a qualified school superintendent is a major challenge for school districts, now more than ever

Transitioning from Remote to Virtual Schooling

By Dr. Kecia Ray published 9 March 22

Assess your current virtual schooling program to make sure it offers the quality your students need to succeed

How Blended Learning Can Drive Education in the Year Ahead

By Dr. Kecia Ray published 12 January 22

Looking back at blended learning research and what we learned in 2021 can guide educators in the year ahead

Are Your Parents Safe Enough For You?

By Dr. Kecia Ray published 13 December 21

Engaging parents can help head off a problem before it occurs

Pick Your Education Path: Restoration or Transformation

By Dr. Kecia Ray published 10 December 21

Education can return to the way things have been done by restoring previous practices or it can be transformed and become something bigger and better

Balancing Responsibility for Student Data and Online Safety

By Dr. Kecia Ray published 20 October 21

School districts face enormous challenges in protecting student data -- and students themselves -- while also fending off hackers and attackers

How Refocusing CTE Programs Can Help Boost Students and Communities

By Dr. Kecia Ray published 6 October 21

CTE (career and technical education) provides opportunities for students to prepare for careers and support local economies

How to Show Appreciation for Teachers

By Dr. Kecia Ray last updated 1 September 21

Appreciation for teachers needs to be a priority during this challenging time

High-Yield Strategies to Normalize 2021-22 School Year

By Dr. Kecia Ray published 4 August 21

Focusing on strategies in two key areas -- social and emotional needs and the assessment gap -- can pay dividends for educators in the upcoming school year

5 Summer Professional Development Ideas for Teachers

By Dr. Kecia Ray published 18 June 21

Summer professional development opportunities can be done by the pool or while on vacation

3 Education Trends to Watch for the Upcoming School Year

By Dr. Kecia Ray published 4 June 21

Education trends in the year ahead include micro lessons, integrated whole classrooms, and reconsidering assessments

Is SAMR Dead?

By Dr. Kecia Ray published 26 April 21

Potentially a casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic, the SAMR model is evolving to adapt to new learning environments

Updating Bloom’s Taxonomy for Digital Learning

By Dr. Kecia Ray published 16 February 21

Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy is a technology-friendly update of the classic framework

4 Steps to Creating a Post-COVID District Improvement Plan

By Dr. Kecia Ray published 13 January 21

A post-COVID district improvement plan should feature input from stakeholders and consider lessons learned from remote learning

Other versions of this page are available with specific content for the following regions: