After nearly three decades of service, leadership and learning, Carroll County Schools Assistant Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer Jonica Ray is preparing to close one chapter and begin another. Yet even as she steps into a new role with Franklin Covey, the story she carries with her remains deeply rooted in the place that shaped her life.
Carroll County Schools has been Ray’s school, workplace and community for as long as she can remember.
“I’ve been in the Carroll County school system my entire life,” Ray said. “I was born and raised here. This is all I’ve ever known since I started here as a little girl.”
Her journey through the district began as a student and continued immediately after college, when she was hired to teach seventh and eighth grade math through an emergency certification position.
“I made $18,000 that year and I was scared to death,” she said with a laugh. “I had no idea what I was doing, but I just went in and figured it out.”
She discovered quickly that education was where she belonged.
After her first year, Ray moved to Cartmell Elementary, where she spent the majority of her career. She taught fourth grade for 10 years, served as instructional coach for four years, assistant principal for two years and principal for three years. She later became Supervisor of Instruction before serving the last six years as Assistant Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer.
Looking back, Ray said the impact of her career cannot be measured by one major accomplishment alone.
“It’s all of the small things along the way,” she said. “The kids I’ve been able to impact, but also the adults. The first half of my career was working with students. The second half has been influencing adults across the district.”
Carroll County Schools Superintendent Casey Jaynes emphasized the influence Ray has had on Carroll County Schools. “Her dedication to the Carroll County School district during her career leaves an immeasurable impact on the lives of students, teachers and administrators in our school system. Her influence on the Carroll County community will be felt for generations to come,” he said.
Her memories stretch far beyond meetings and curriculum plans. She remembers dress-up days, field days, Camp Invention summers filled with creativity and science experiments, and the days students at Cartmell taped her to a wall and turned her into an ice cream sundae.
“It’s a hard job, but those are the things that keep us going,” she said.
Ray’s love of school began long before she became an educator. Growing up in poverty, school represented opportunity, joy and possibility.
“Most people know my story,” she said. “I loved school. I loved everything about it. When I got home in the evenings, I wanted to play school.”
Teachers and mentors noticed her passion and planted the seeds that would shape her future.
“People recognized something in me and told me I would make a great teacher,” she said. “I think that’s what made me want to become one.”
Throughout her career, Ray credits influential educators such as fifth grade teacher Gerda Wise, former colleague Dr. Lisa James, longtime friend and collaborator Jeannie Rohrer and mentor Doug Oak for encouraging her growth as a leader.
Her own life experience has also shaped the way she leads.
“I’ve always said you’re a product of your decisions and not a product of your circumstances,” Ray said. “If I was a product of my circumstances, I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere. It doesn’t matter where you start. It matters where you finish. Anybody can be a leader.”
That philosophy aligns closely with the work she will begin with Franklin Covey as a coach and consultant supporting school districts across Kentucky and beyond.
After an extensive interview process, Ray accepted a position training and coaching educational leaders while modeling principles rooted in Dr. Stephen Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”.
“This is not just a new role for me. It’s a continuation of the work I’ve dedicated my whole life to,” she said. “I want to take my story, my experience and my passion for growth and use it to help others realize what’s possible for them.”
During her years in district leadership, Ray helped guide major instructional shifts including consistent K-12 curriculum alignment, stronger professional learning communities, systems-based practices and greater use of high-quality instructional resources.
Still, she says the achievement she values most is not tied to programs or data.
“The thing I am most proud of is my influence and impact on students and adults throughout my 29 years,” she said. “I care a lot about academic progress, but I care more about people growing, overcoming and succeeding.”
Among her many accomplishments, Ray was also the first educator in Carroll County to earn National Board Certification, a rigorous distinction she achieved in 2002 and later renewed.
Despite her excitement for the future, deciding to retire from Carroll County Schools was not easy.
“It was a very hard decision,” she said. “This is my identity. Who is Jonica Ray outside of Carroll County Schools? I don’t know, but I’m looking forward to finding out.”
What she knows for certain is that retiring does not mean leaving Carroll County Schools entirely. She plans to volunteer in her granddaughter’s classroom, remain connected to the district and continue championing the work of education.
“I’m going to miss the people,” she said. “I feel like I’m part of something great here. Now I’m looking forward to being part of something else great. Carroll County Schools will always be a huge part of my life,” Ray said.