"No pressure, no diamonds" is a common phrase in many workplaces. Stressful situations may tax people's limits, the philosophy goes, but only when they are pushed to the brink can people shine their very best.
Not so at Joris Ray's schools.
"People often see alternative schools as places where kids have their heads down or their hands behind their backs," says Ray, the winner of ASCD's 2006 Outstanding Young Educator Award (OYEA) and director of alternative schools for Memphis City Schools in Tennessee. "It's not like that here [because] we do have structure, but students also know that people actually care about them. If they're absent, someone's going to call to make sure they're OK."
For some students, this caring is a first-time experience; it's also one that makes a difference. "Some people see [at-risk] students as lumps of coal," Ray explains. "I see them as future diamonds."
Buried Treasures
Looking deep to find the hidden gems in people is one of Ray's specialties. It's also one, he's quick to point out, that extends beyond his students. "I look for attributes and qualities in my staff that you can't always measure," he says. A person can have specific qualifications—a high GPA, for instance—but to succeed in alternative education, she must have uncommon depth and compassion. "You've got to look inside people," Ray adds. "Love and compassion are things you need to see in people's hearts."
As a testimony to the kind of difference compassion can make, he cites the story of a former student who was initially heading down a criminal path. "I was an 8th grade teacher, and this student was having a lot of problems," he recalls. The student's mother did not understand gang behavior; but with Ray's guidance and compassion, the student eventually found his way to a better path. The student even went before the school board and spoke about how much Ray's teaching and caring meant to him. "He told the board members, ‘Mr. Ray saved my life.’ That's the kind of moment that inspires me."
Polish Them and They Will Shine
Ray's dedication and commitment are so extensive they occasionally create unexpected challenges of their own. When his Memphis City district found itself in a position to hire 30 new teachers, Ray pounded the pavement to spread the word about the new opportunities. His visits to local radio and cable stations resulted in 500 applicants showing up instead of the anticipated 125.
"People used to put the worst teachers with the worst students—people who didn't want to teach would be a good match for people who didn't want to learn," he says.
"Now, we've got the best and the brightest fulfilling our mission of making academic achievement number one. We've really built our oasis of excellence."
Reaping Future Benefits
Like his students, Ray emphasizes the importance of thinking about where people are going rather than focusing strictly on where they are. "Successful students see beyond today," he says. "Ultimately, I want alternative schools to be respected—just like the international baccalaureate programs and magnet schools. I want us to be at the forefront, because we do increase graduation rates and help students believe in themselves. That helps move everyone forward."
Such forward thinking has helped not only Ray and his teachers but also his future gems. "Our mantra is ‘Every student, every day—college bound.’"
