Washington's Ray Loves TechnologyAnyone walking into Principal Tom Ray's office at Washington Elementary School Sept. 24 might have found him working on three laptops at once.
Ray is big on technology and its importance in the classroom.
"It's critical," he said. "It's critical to what I do as a principal. It's critical in the instruction of students. It's critical to all."While technology is not an end-all, Ray said it's a powerful way to teach. Technology really helps students to learn. School is all about students learning, and technology is a powerful way to get them to learn, he said.
"Students learn more. They learn to retain more information" with technology, Ray said.
Students do better on tests with the help of technology. Ray said teachers notice students test better and retain information better with technology. Students become more involved in their learning with technology, and their reading and math levels increase.
Students today are creating projects for the classroom and events like EdCom with the help of technology. This is an electronic world, Ray said, and children are used to everything from video games and Wii to Mimio boards.
"Technology used to be a bother, but it just isn't anymore," Ray said.
"I encourage project-based learning and I encourage the use of technology," he said.
Ray said the key is a shared vision, providing skills and having the resources available. Those things have to be deployed, and all that creates trust.
"Even with technology, it's only as good as the person who is willing to use it," said Ray. "It's not about the programs, it's about the people."
But, Ray said, it's not just about the people at Washington. It's about all the people in Warsaw Community School Corp.
"I stand before you, in awe, saying, 'Wow.' There's even a part of me that's a little jealous that I didn't get the kind of education Warsaw provides for its kids," said Ray.
From Gas City, Ray graduated from Mississinewa High School. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees and principal's license from Ball State University.
He married Kathy Haines, a Warsaw Community High School graduate, which is how he ended up in Warsaw, about 10 years ago. They have four children, Madelyn, Isabel, Michael and Lucy.
After graduating BSU, he taught for Marion and Mississinewa. He then was the elementary principal at Marion for five years before coming to Warsaw and taking over at Washington Elementary.
"I would not say it's something I pursued," Ray admitted. "It just became, as part of my journey, I ended up getting into education as a principal just by a cumulation of life experiences, people I associated with and the choices I made. It was a cumulation of my life experiences, and this was what it lead to. I won't say it was without the power of prayer. I believe in the power of prayer, and it lead me to where I am."
And Ray is happy where he is.
Warsaw Community Schools has programs like Readers and Writers Workshops and SWOOP in place to help students learn. The school corporation offers differentiated learning for all children. If a child needs remediation, they get it.
"I just see Warsaw focusing on the child and every child," Ray said. "My kids go to Washington, but they go to Warsaw Community Schools. As a parent, I couldn't be more happier. I think about my previous experiences, what I had as a kid, what my kids do that we didn't do. We didn't have project-based learning. We assess where children are and we teach to that level. I see a top-notch education offered here and my kids are part of it."
Asked where he'd like to see Washington go for the next 10 years, Ray said he wished he was a fortune teller, but with the way technology is going, he couldn't say.
"I just want to be along for the ride. It just keeps getting better. This is not a stagnant community," Ray said. "I've got to believe it's the entrepreneurship going on, the orthopedic companies, Donnelly's, people starting up their own businesses. That's a driving force in this community. This community has so many parents who have visions for the future. We truly are in a unique community. I truly have to credit the parents."
During a walk-through of Washington Elementary Sept. 24, Ray peaked into each classroom. Students were busy reading, working in groups and keeping to task. The hallways were quiet with classroom doors mostly shut while learning went on within the walls.
"One classroom after another in this community, this is what you see," Ray said. "Teachers are facilitators today. They are facilitators of student learning today."
The walk-through is one way Ray keeps on top of what is going on in his classroom. He also has weekly meetings with teachers, and talks to students during recess or lunch.
"I like to create a collaborative culture and sustain those efforts," Ray said. "It's not about pursuing personal agendas, but what is best for kids. With that, you end up with collective commitment."
