2005 IMLA Region 6  Educator of the Year

Jill Wray

Jill Wray is Region VI’s Educator of the Year.  Jill has taught school at Hobbs Middle School for 14 years teaching many years before that at the lower level.  She has taught everything from 6th grade Science to 7th grade Language Arts and Geography.  She is currently doing a bang-up job with 6th grade science.  Jill has been actively involved in many school activities and continues to come up with new ways to put her skills and talents to use. 

If you looked up creative in the dictionary, you would see a picture of Jill Wray.  It is amazing the things she is always doing to make learning fun.  She does tons of hands-on activities to make Science come to life and help the students to apply the principles in their lives.  The students love Mrs. Wray and talk fondly of her.

  Jill is a person that sees life outside of the box.  Several years ago she asked the school board to let her do a 3-day Science Camp in Alpine for all 6th graders.  She figured out how to do the camp with minimal cost to the parents.  She applied for grants to also make the program possible for the lower-income students in our district.  She then devised a work program for the students to work off the Science Camp tuitions.  The big project could not be done alone.  Jill then organized a group of community members and parents to come with the students for the 3-day adventure.  Thought it is strictly done by parent permission, most of the 6th grade students have now gone to Science Camp for many years and talk about that as one of their most memorable moments.

Jill has coordinated the “Red-Ribbon” activities for the school several years in a row.  When no one else would do it, Jill would always volunteer.  She started a “Bell Choir” that students came before school to participate in.  Using her musical talents she lead this choir for many years,

Jill has written and received numerous grants that have benefited Hobbs Middle School immensely.  This year alone she has written at least four grants asking for money to fund various creative ideas in her classroom.  Not all her grants were awarded, but she has received more than she has been turned down.

She has an optimistic vision of the “Middle School Concept” and works hard to instill this in Hobbs Middle School.  Jill has been the team leader encouraging the rest of her team to get on board and give some of the middle school ideas a try.  Jill is always coming up with some fun activities for the 7th graders and presenting them to the team to give the kids a boost.  Her latest suggestion was an after school pillow movie.

It is with the greatest of pleasure to award Jill Wray as Region VI Educator of the Year.  Jill you are greatly appreciated for all your efforts to encourage and motivate students.  Congratulations!