DR. DIANE RAY

Dr. Diane Ray presents to a group of students at the Bagwell College of Education at Kennesaw State University.

Diane Ray's involvement with the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) spanned decades, contributing significantly to its growth and impact. Her journey with PAGE began in 1987 when she was recommended by a well-respected colleague to join the association. As a principal and educator in Cobb County, Diane witnessed the passion and dedication of PAGE members who were committed to improving education in Georgia. This resonated with her mission of helping teachers and students succeed.

Throughout her career, Diane’s engagement with PAGE deepened. She joined the PAGE Board of Directors in the 1990s and served as president in 2004. Her involvement spanned an era of transformation in services and membership growth. One significant development was the shift from contracted member service consultants, who were primarily retired educators, to full-time member service representatives (MSRs). This change enabled PAGE to strengthen its relationships with educators throughout the state, increasing membership significantly.

Diane joined the PAGE staff in 2005 and retired in 2023. While with PAGE, she led various professional learning efforts, including the Teacher Academy program, and outreach to college of education students as a college services representative (CSR).

Diane highlighted several initiatives key to PAGE's growth, including the expansion of professional learning programs, which enabled educators to engage in training within their regions instead of traveling to Atlanta. The collaboration with Georgia’s Regional Educational Service Agencies (RESAs) was instrumental in understanding and meeting the specific needs of educators throughout the state. Diane oversaw the development of PAGE’s leadership conferences, which were offered to PAGE members in the early 2000s. The conferences attracted educators from throughout the state and provided a platform for professional development.

DR. DIANE RAY

PAGE’s advocacy efforts were another area of importance during Diane’s tenure. She recalled rallying educators to push for legislative changes and PAGE’s introduction of its "Day on the Hill" each February at the Georgia Capitol allowing teachers to engage with lawmakers during the legislative session. Diane also emphasized the importance of PAGE's legal services, which expanded to six full-time attorneys over time, ensuring that educators had access to timely professional legal advice and ethical guidance.

One of PAGE’s biggest accomplishments during Diane’s time as a member, board member, and staff member, was the growth of membership, reaching 95,000 members by the time she retired in 2023. She was also proud of PAGE's role in supporting student programs, such as the Georgia Academic Bowl and STAR program, which foster academic excellence.

Challenges during Diane’s tenure included the adoption of new technology and ensuring its effective implementation across the organization. However, with a committed team, PAGE successfully navigated these hurdles, continuing to provide valuable services to educators. Diane attributed PAGE's success to the dedication of its employees, noting that the organization was always responsive to the evolving needs of educators in all areas of service in Georgia’s schools, as well as students pursuing careers in education. 

Reflecting on her service with PAGE, Diane emphasized the importance of teamwork, recognizing the collective efforts of PAGE’s staff in driving the organization's achievements. For her, PAGE was the perfect culmination of a long and fulfilling career in education.