Having functioned as a principal earlier in his career, John Ray has served as the superintendent of the Klamath-Trinity Joint Unified School District in Humboldt County, California, since 2014. In addition to his everyday work as a superintendent, John Ray is connected to the pulse of school-based policymaking nationwide through his membership with the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD).Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education has become an area of critical focus in American schools over recent years, given the rise in demand for technology-related professionals in the workforce. Through a $485,000 grant awarded by the Toyota USA Foundation, ASCD will be able to help educators in these course areas engage students by providing additional teaching resources.Specifically, ASCD will produce videos, branded Spark 101, that give students an outlet to put the skills they learn in the classroom to practical use through STEM-based challenges. In her comments, ASCD CEO and Executive Director Deb Delisle said these challenges will enable teachers to integrate everyday applications into their lesson plans while giving students an opportunity to see what a STEM career might look like for them.
Involved in education for more than two decades, Jon Ray serves as superintendent for the Klamath-Trinity Joint Unified School District in Humboldt County, California. One of the jobs Jon Ray held prior to becoming superintendent in 2014 was principal of Westside Preparatory Charter School in Rio Linda, California. While he was there, the school earned honors from the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program.As a part of the U.S. Department of Education, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program began in 1982. It recognizes public and private schools at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, evaluating their academic excellence or progress in closing achievement gaps. Since it began, the program has honored more than 7,500 schools across the country. Schools receive a flag to place at their entryway or fly outside the school to signify their excellence, and to honor the hard work not only of students, faculty and administration at the schools, but of their communities as well.
Jon Ray, superintendent for the Klamath-Trinity Joint Unified School District in Humboldt County, California, has worked in the field of education for over two decades, previously the Principal & Director of Curriculum & Instruction for the nearby Bonsall Union School District. When not committing time to his career as superintendent, Jon Ray enjoys traveling, having visited many international countries including Switzerland. For first-time travelers, the following are three Switzerland attractions to visit off the beaten path:1. Brienz: Often missed by tourists, this mountain town is famous for it's woodcarving. For those who want breathtaking views of the Bernese Alps, take the Brienz Rothorn Bahn, a traditional steam locomotive, to the top of Rothorn, which is 7,700 high.2. Rote Fabrik: While Zurich is a popular tourist destination, this old factory building on the outskirts has now been converted into a progressive musical venue, hosting theater performances, poetry slams, and concerts. 3. St. Beatus Cave: Famed for a dragon-slaying saint that once inhabited the area around 100 AD, a small portion is open to the public, offering underground waterfalls and lakes. A small museum is located at the exit, displaying ancient artifacts and dragon exhibits for younger visitors.
Before becoming a district superintendent, educational administrator Jon Ray led two different schools--in Rio Linda, CA, and in Oceanside, CA--toward receiving outstanding honors as California Distinguished Schools. Jon Ray now serves as the superintendent of the Klamath-Trinity Joint Unified School District in Humboldt County, CA, while also being a member of the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools (NAFIS).Started in 1973, the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools is a non-profit organization designed to use the combined power of school districts across the country to petition Congress on the necessity of Impact Aid for schools. The association represents a variety of children, including children of civilian employees living on federal lands, military children, and children who live on Indian lands.The NAFIS Impact Aid program helps provide funding for education of Native American and military dependent children. Impact Aid funds are distributed directly to the local school districts and are provided to pay for transportation, salaries, and other educational needs.
The former principal of the Bonsall Union School District, Jon Ray is now the superintendent of Klamath-Trinity Joint Unified School District in Humboldt County, California. Superintendent Jon Ray also belongs to the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), where he assists advisors on curriculum content and delivery.Established in 1943, the ASCD develops and delivers innovative education programs, products, and services. With more than 115,000 members in more than 128 countries, the ASCD provides opportunities to educators for professional development experiences.One of the ways the ASCD connects with its members is through its annual conference. The 2018 conference will bring together thousands of educators working at every level in education. Conference attendees will participate in debates, interactive sessions, and panels, and will have the opportunity to listen to respected keynote speakers. The 2018 conference, which will take place March 24 through 26 in Boston, is entitled “ASCD Empower18: The Conference for Every Educator.”
The superintendent of the Klamath-Trinity Joint Unified School District, Jon Ray has held a variety of high-level positions in school districts across California including principal and school administrator. In addition to his duties as superintendent, John Ray maintains membership in a number of professional organizations, including the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools (NAFIS).Founded in 1973, the NAFIS is a non-profit organization that represents school districts across the United States and works to ensure the schools, and the federally connected children that attend them, receive adequate funding (impact aid) to meet their needs. Federally impacted property includes Indian reservations, military bases, subsidized housing projects and other property owned by the federal government. The children who live on these properties with their parents are considered to be federally connected.Impact aid is distributed through grants to local education agencies based on the total amount of Federal property within their jurisdiction and/or the total number of federally connected children in their schools. Nationwide, approximately 1,350 agencies representing more than 950,000 federally connected children receive some type of Impact Aid.
Jon Ray has served as principal of numerous schools in California and as superintendent of Klamath-Trinity Joint Unified School District in Humboldt County. Outside of his role as superintendent, Jon Ray belongs to the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), which will hold its Conference on Teaching Excellence from June 30 to July 2, 2017. The ASCD’s Conference on Teaching Excellence will bring together education professionals in Denver, Colorado, for a variety of networking and educational events. The conference will kick off with a general session titled Crafting the Perfect Assessment System by Rick Stiggins, an author with the ASCD and the founder of the Assessment Training Institute. Other educational sessions include Differentiation Advice for New Teachers: News You Can Use, which will be co-led by Marcia B. Imbeau, a University of Arkansas professor, and Alyx Ramsey, a third-grade teacher at George Elementary School in Springdale, Arkansas. Outside of the educational sessions, attendees can sign up for keynote luncheons. Friday’s keynote luncheon will feature Nadia Lopez, and Saturday’s luncheon is with Tony Frontier.To learn more about the ASCD and its upcoming events, visit www.ascd.org/conferences.aspx.
