Dr. Sarah M. Ray, assistant professor of human and organizational learning, joined Drs. Rebecca Cepeda and Kevin Bazner from Texas A&M on the inaugural episode of their podcast, Innovation Insights. Dr. Ray discussed her use and development of visual approaches to personal and professional growth and organizational change.
In addition, Dr. Ray partnered with student and alumni of the Organizational Leadership and Learning (OLL) program to publish two articles:
- "Reflections: Putting Theory into Practice," written with OLL alumna Catherine Meeth, was published in New Horizons in Adult Education and Human Resource Development.
- Per the abstract: This reflection includes my transformative educational journey as a graduate student. The journey includes early professional experience at a startup then shifts to the pivotal role of teachers in the learning process. These early experiences led to my decisions to pursue graduate studies in adult learning and human resource development. Reflecting on transformative learning experiences, I explore the often-overlooked realm of teacher support and development, delving into an integrative literature review on sociocultural factors contributing to teacher burnout and strategies for mitigation. The reflection highlights the findings from the integrative literature review including the interconnectedness of internal and external factors impacting teacher wellness, emphasizing self-efficacy and external support structures as crucial elements which were also personal and evident in my own life. I presented at the AAACE conference where these findings were also evident in the lives of attendees. I now lead a diverse team of teachers where I apply these lessons learned daily, advocating for structural supports to safeguard teacher commitment and combat burnout. The reflection underscores the intrinsic value of teachers as the “secret ingredient” in education and the ongoing quest to sustain their passion and well-being.
- "The Application of Andragogical Principles in a Transformational Leadership in Workshop for Prevention Professionals," has been accepted for publication in Andragogy In Practice Case Book. Dr. Ray partnered with current OLL student Carla Ritz and alumnus/OLL adjunct instructor Dr. Richard March (Ed.D., Human and Organizational Learning) on this article.