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Kecia Ray's avatarPerson

Kecia Ray

Owner/ConsultantK20Connect

Tennessee

Member Since September 2021

Skills

E-Learning
Educational Consulting
Strategic Planning

About

After publishing an assessment to measure technology literacy in 1999, Dr. Ray conducted research in the US, Canada, and South Africa on the use of technology in the K-12 classroom and the use of distance learning technologies to facilitate engaging learning environments. 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 developed graduate courses for the University of Maryland on teaching and leading K12 virtual schools and a course focused on evaluating technology for K12 learners for Johns Hopkins University. She has published three books on distance learning strategies, one chapter on online course design for adult learners and several articles and blogs on the impact of technology. Dr. Ray is a member of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and is past president of the ISTE Board of Directors. In 2013, she was appointed by Governor Haslem to the Advisory Council on Alternative Education and in 2014 was appointed by the Tennessee Commissioner of Education to a Personalized Learning Advisory Committee. In 2015, she was invited to serve on a USDOE technical working group focused on evaluating education technology. Dr. Ray currently serves on the board of Learning Bird Inc. and holds advisory positions with Sanford Harmony, Tech & Learning, and H Institute Award for Excellence in Education. She is a five-time recipient of the President's Volunteer Service Award and has earned the ISTE 'Making IT Happen' Award. Dr. Ray was named '20 to Watch' by the National School Board Association, Woman of the Year by the National Association of Professional Women, one of the top 10 EdTech Leaders by Tech and Learning magazine, and most recently named a Top 100 EdTech Influencer by EdTech Digest. She leads K20Connect, a consortia of female thought leaders in education, and other passion projects supporting K20 education around the world!

Published content

Nervous about public speaking? 15 steps to prepare confidently

expert panel

Apply these strategies to cover your points and connect with the audience.  If you're feeling a bit anxious about how to deliver your best presentation to a tough audience, preparing for the event ahead of time is the easiest way to calm your mind. You'll want to first gain an understanding of what the program agenda is, and then figure out what you want to say. Providing real-world examples make some of the most effective narratives, so figure out which points to cover in your story, write it out, and begin reviewing it on your own or amongst your network of colleagues. The more you practice, the more familiar and comfortable you become with the materials you plan to share with your audience. To get you motivated and help you stay in the zone, below, 15 Fast Company Executive Board members are providing their best practices for leaders to project their knowledge and become the go-to reliable source.

12 ways companies can compete in the talent acquisition market

expert panel

Utilize these strategies to win over the job candidate you have your hopes on. In the fall of 2022, it's still a candidate's market. Leading employers must bring their A-game to the table if they want to compete successfully for the best talent around. But it's more than just offering to pay a higher salary or simply throwing in a few superficial perks.  And while it's true that a start-up brand may have a tougher time attracting new hires, with limited resources, compared to larger establishments in the industry, that doesn't always result in a missed opportunity to secure the right person to fill the department's needs. Now more than ever, creating a healthy, flexible, and inclusive work atmosphere is one place they can begin to build the process of developing a unique and compelling appeal in the workplace.  Here are 12 ideas, courtesy of Fast Company Executive Board experts, to keep your company on a potential employee's shortlist.

16 business experts share their reasons for staying the course 

expert panel

Here's some extra motivational wisdom to keep you moving forward as well. Running a business is not for the faint of heart. It requires the confidence to make better decisions and self-awareness to remain humble enough to attract employee loyalty and trust.  In addition to having critical thinking skills, you also have to be willing to consider other people's ideas and be ready to pivot, carefully, as the market—as you once knew it—begins to evolve. We asked 16 members from Fast Company Executive Board what inspires them to keep striving and stay in business. Here's what they had to say.

14 tips to regaining a client's trust

expert panel

Your ability to listen to and address their needs (attentively) is essential.   If you're stressing about the potential of losing a longtime customer who may be eyeing a competing brand, take a breath, think it through, and then open the lines of communication quickly—before it's too late. There may still be time to come up with a plan if you discuss the matter (preferably in person) to demonstrate that you care about solving any frustrations about their journey. Allowing the client to feel heard and revisiting their initial goals and reasoning for partnering with your company in the first place is a great starting point to redirect their trust in you and secure a better relationship on the road to recovery. Below, 14 Fast Company Executive Board members share ideas to retain and engage existing customers who may indicate they're on their way out.

Company details

K20Connect

Company bio

K20Connect provides concierge consulting services to K20Education market including business, school systems, community colleges, and universities. We are a collective of female leaders in education from across the country, many holding C Level positions. We are putting our experience to work for our clients by designing tailor made engagements unique to the clients specific needs.

Industry

Corporate social responsibility

Area of focus

K12 Districts
EdTech
Concierge Consulting Services

Company size

2 - 10

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