Alice Birney Elementary School teacher honored as the “Teacher of the Year”

EUREKA, CA., (KIEM)- An Alice Birney Elementary School teacher has cause for celebration, as she’s officially recognized by the Humboldt County Office of Education, honored as the “Teacher of the Year”

Ligia Ray has taught kindergarten and worked with apprentice teachers from HSU during a storied 35 year career. Now she not only teaches Structured English Immersion (SEI), she launched the class all together. SEI helps local kindergarten English Language Learners to succeed, and transfer smoothly into the next chapter of their educational career. Education is absolutely vital in these formative years so it is very joyous that Ligia Ray exemplifies the level of dedication to education we all crave. Taking advantage of new technologies and the learning to utilize new resources like youtube help provide young children with a much more rounded education. This is the difference between good teachers and great teachers!

“Honoring the exemplary educators in our county is one of the highlights of the year,” stated Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Chris Hartley. “I’m especially excited Ligia Ray will be our Humboldt County Teacher of the Year. Her creativity, compassion and incredible commitment to serving her students at Alice Birney is truly inspirational.”

The former principal of Alice Birney, Fulstone Pucillo, recommended Ray for the award. “Ligia is the teacher every parent or family member would want their child to have. She is committed to being present to the families of her students, partnering with them as they support their children.”