Dr. Kecia Ray to Lead the Center for Digital Education

Nashville Public Schools Educator and Outgoing Chair of the ISTE Board of Directors to Join e.Republic


SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwired - June 29, 2015) - The former executive director of learning technologies for Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools will lead e.Republic's Center for Digital Education.

Kecia Ray, Ed.D, a nationally respected educator and expert in the field of education technology, has been named executive director of the Center for Digital Education, which provides research, analysis and perspective on the education technology market. Dr. Ray joins the Center at a crucial time when digital technologies are dramatically transforming the learning environment.

"I have been affiliated with the Center for Digital Education as a district leader for several years and have benefited significantly from the partnerships and relationships created through this affiliation," said Dr. Ray. "I am honored to be part of a network of national colleagues committed to education and look forward to the opportunities ahead."

As executive director of the Nashville Public Schools Learning Technology Department, Dr. Ray led instructional design for online and blended learning environments, redesign of physical learning environments, creation of a virtual high school, and redefining of school libraries. Her career also includes designing technology within Nashville's Frist Center for the Visual Arts and directing technology research through Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Science Outreach programs.

She began her career as a middle school science teacher. After publishing an assessment to measure technology literacy in 1999, she conducted research in the U.S., 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 is published and recognized for her work in online and blended learning as well as flexible learning environments.

Dr. Ray is a member of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) where she is completing her term as Chair of the ISTE Board of Directors. She also serves on the boards of eLearn Institute, the Davidson County Community Education Commission, and Learning Bird Inc. She was appointed by Tennessee Governor Bill Haslem to the Advisory Council on Alternative Education in 2013 and appointed to a Personalized Learning State Advisory Committee in 2014.

She was the recipient of the President's Volunteer Service Award in 2012 and 2014 and awarded the ISTE Making IT Happen Award for lifetime achievement in 2013. In 2014, Dr. Ray was named a 20 to Watch honoree by the National School Boards Association.

An adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Ray lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband Dr. Clark Ray and their son Wes.

About the Center for Digital Education - www.centerdigitaled.com
The Center for Digital Education is a national research and advisory institute specializing in K-12 and higher education trends, policy and funding. It provides education and actionable insight to technology leaders to help incorporate new technologies in classrooms and higher education institutions. The Center for Digital Education is a division of e.Republic, www.erepublic.com, the nation's only media and research company focused exclusively on state and local government and education.

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Contact Information:

Contact:
Margaret Mohr
Chief Marketing Officer
e.Republic - Center for Digital Education
916-932-1364

Dr. Kecia Ray, Executive Director, Center for Digital Education