Lenae Ray, M.Ed
Austin,TX
Summary
Dynamic Instructional Designer, Curriculum Developer, and Onboarding Specialist with over eight years of experience in education. I specialize in designing and implementing effective learning experiences, professional development, and training programs that enhance educator capabilities and promote student success. With a strong background in culturally responsive pedagogy, I create inclusive, data-driven curricula and onboarding experiences that empower educators and foster collaborative learning environments. My focus is on developing transformative, learner-centered frameworks and strategies that drive continuous growth for educators and organizations.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Middle School Testing Coordinator
Del Valle Independent School District
08.2023 - 11.2023
- Collaborated with core teachers to gather input for campus LPACs, enhancing instructional practices tailored for Emergent Bilingual students.
- Developed and facilitated comprehensive training programs for assessment administrators, focusing on the effective evaluation of Emergent Bilingual students and the benefits of testing for instructional planning.
- Managed all high-stakes testing activities, including STAAR, TELPAS, and NAEP exams, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations while promoting a secure and ethical testing environment.
- Maintained thorough and accurate records of training activities and assessment data, utilizing technology to visualize and analyze performance trends among Emergent Bilingual students.
- Fostered positive relationships with teachers, counselors, and administrative staff, facilitating effective communication regarding testing schedules, student progress, and assessment-related concerns.
- Led the management of testing and assessment initiatives across four campuses, ensuring consistency in practices and collaboration among diverse educational teams.
Creative Writing Curriculum Developer
Breakthrough Central Texas
06.2023 - 08.2023
- Developed a comprehensive creative writing curriculum for grades 6-9, focusing on self-exploration, cultural responsiveness, and interdisciplinary approaches (folklore, music, poetry, film).
- Designed instructional resources and reflective guides to support teachers in delivering the curriculum effectively.
- Designed course materials and supported implementation.
- Provided subject matter expertise on all courses, materials, and lesson plans.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
Curriculum Developer, Teacher Humanities
Liberal Arts & Science Academy
08.2022 - 05.2023
- Reimagined the 10th-grade Humanities curriculum, integrating real-world learning and culturally responsive teaching to foster deeper student connections to content.
- Applied instructional design principles to ensure curriculum alignment with diverse student interests, encouraging exploration of complex societal and cultural themes.
- Collaborated with colleagues in developing benchmark lessons and identifying curriculum needs of faculty.
- Teamed with subject matter experts in evaluation and revision of training tools in order to continually improve learning platforms.
- Created and developed lesson plans to meet students' academic needs.
Instructional Coach & Curriculum Developer
Breakthrough Central Texas
06.2022 - 08.2022
- Led the instructional design of a vertically aligned creative writing curriculum, integrating themes of identity, culture, and literacy to enhance student engagement.
- Developed professional development modules for educators, focusing on curriculum delivery and reflective teaching practices.
- Coached teachers to improve practices through professional development and modeling instructional strategies.
- Analyzed student data, diagnosed instructional needs, and identified research-based instructional strategies.
- Built and maintained positive relationships with students, parents, colleagues and administrators.
ELAR Coach, RTI Coordinator & Facilitator
Decker Middle School
08.2018 - 07.2022
- Designed and implemented instructional frameworks to support diverse student needs, particularly through RTI and culturally responsive practices.
- Led the curriculum development for grade-level teams, aligning student assessments with learning outcomes and differentiated instruction strategies.
- Conceptualized and led the implementation of the AVID framework, supporting student readiness and engagement through effective instructional design.
- Developed training materials and facilitated professional learning for teachers to incorporate culturally relevant and data-driven strategies into their lesson plans.
Curriculum Designer
Manor Independent School District
07.2021 - 09.2021
- Designed a comprehensive, culturally relevant secondary ELAR curriculum aimed at accelerated learning and vertical alignment to ensure student mastery.
- Delivered teacher training focused on effective curriculum implementation and instructional practices that support diverse learners.
- Teamed with subject matter experts in evaluation and revision of training tools in order to continually improve learning platforms.
- Collaborated with colleagues in developing benchmark lessons and identifying curriculum needs of faculty.
- Researched and incorporated current trends and data into standard curriculum for ELAR Middles grade levels.
- Collaborated with administrators to determine course objectives.
4th Grade English/Social Studies Teacher
Texas Empowerment Academy
08.2016 - 07.2018
- and Social Studies curriculum, focused on student development and fostering critical thinking through engaging, culturally responsive lessons.
- Utilized student data to inform curriculum adjustments, ensuring instructional materials met diverse learning needs and promoted academic growth.
- Created and aligned instructional materials that incorporated real-world concepts and culturally relevant content to enhance student engagement and success.
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies to support the unique learning styles and abilities of 4th-grade students, ensuring equitable access to the curriculum.
- Continuously refined the curriculum based on student feedback and performance, promoting an inclusive learning environment that encouraged self-expression and academic achievement.
Education
M.A. Educational Leadership -
Texas State University
05.2021
B.A. English & Creative Writing - undefined
University of North Texas
05.2010
Skills
- Instructional Onboarding & Training
- Instructional Design & Technology
- Curriculum Development
- Learning Experience Design
- Professional Development Facilitation
- E-learning Development
- New Teacher Mentorship
- Data-Driven Instructional Strategies
- RTI & AVID Framework Design
- Vertical Curriculum Alignment
- Project-Based Learning Design
Professional Development
- Restorative Justice, 2022-23
- A Summer Dripped in Identity: Teaching Creative Writing Curriculum, 2022-23
- Utilizing Media in the Classroom, 2021-22
- Discussion through Identity: Introducing Socratic Seminar, 2021-22
- Lesson Design: Utilizing Data in Planning, 2021-22
- Secondary ELAR Middle School Curriculum, 2021
Certification
- English Language Arts, 7-12, 04/2021
- English as a Second Language, EC-12, 09/2020
- English Language Arts, 4-8, 12/2017
Timeline
Middle School Testing Coordinator
Del Valle Independent School District
08.2023 - 11.2023
Creative Writing Curriculum Developer
Breakthrough Central Texas
06.2023 - 08.2023
Curriculum Developer, Teacher Humanities
Liberal Arts & Science Academy
08.2022 - 05.2023
Instructional Coach & Curriculum Developer
Breakthrough Central Texas
06.2022 - 08.2022
Curriculum Designer
Manor Independent School District
07.2021 - 09.2021
ELAR Coach, RTI Coordinator & Facilitator
Decker Middle School
08.2018 - 07.2022
4th Grade English/Social Studies Teacher
Texas Empowerment Academy
08.2016 - 07.2018
B.A. English & Creative Writing - undefined
University of North Texas
- English Language Arts, 7-12, 04/2021
- English as a Second Language, EC-12, 09/2020
- English Language Arts, 4-8, 12/2017
M.A. Educational Leadership -
Texas State University
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