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March 13, 2024
By Renata O'Donnell Photography
Today, for the "Women's History Month" project celebration, I would like to introduce this fantastic and beautiful woman.
Meet Suzanne Ray, wife, mother of 2, Teacher and a super fun School Resiliency & Resource Coordinator
“Relationships are the agents of change and the most powerful therapy is human love.” - Dr. Bruce Perry
Suzanne was born and raised in the small town of Alfred, Maine where she grew up on Este’s Lake with her parents and two brothers. She was the middle child with two brothers and they were brought up by hard working parents. Her mother was an art teacher and spent her summers off from school working at her father’s flower and fruit/vegetable stand. Suzanne helped out at the family business in the summers and she learned so much about plants and hard work. After meeting her husband they bought their first home in Saco 18 years ago and now have a 14 year old son and 10 year old daughter.
Suzanne graduated from Massabesic High School in 1998 and then attended the University of Maine Orono, where she double majored in Art Education and Elementary Education. Winning the high school state championship in the 2 mile helped her along the path to becoming a member of the Cross Country and Indoor & Outdoor Track teams at UMaine where she met many lifelong friends and made countless memories.
Suzanne has been teaching for 21 years. For 18 years, she taught middle school math, and for the past three years, she has been the Resiliency & Resource Coordinator at CK Burns School. "While I loved working with middle school students, transitioning to the elementary level has been equally fulfilling. In my current role, I work with students, their families, and staff, focusing on relationship building and providing support as our school district works towards becoming trauma responsive." Says Suzanne.
Life challenges? How do you overcome them?
As a working mother my biggest challenge has been to balance family, work, and self care. I overcome these challenges by trying to stay positive, seeking support from friends and family, and trying to set boundaries when I am being stretched too thin. Finding time to go out for a run is a great way to reduce stress and feel refreshed for what’s next.
Life achievements?
My greatest achievement is definitely building a loving family with my husband and raising two wonderful children that we work to instill the values of kindness, hard work, and pursuing your dreams and passions.
What are your passions?
Spending time with my family and friends, and staying active through running are passions of mine. I also have a love for art and enjoy expressing myself creatively whenever I can.
I am also passionate about education, particularly empowering students to reach their full potential through practicing resilience and perseverance. As a teacher for over two decades, I've witnessed the transformative power of education and the profound impact it can have on young minds when they feel safe, heard, and cared for.
What do you value most in life?
Family, relationships, and personal growth are what I value most in life. I believe in nurturing meaningful connections with loved ones, continuously learning and evolving as an individual, and making a positive impact on those around me.
Advice for other women?
My advice to other women is to believe in themselves, embrace their strengths, and never underestimate their potential. Stay true to your values, pursue your passions with determination, and remember that resilience and perseverance can overcome any obstacle.
Here is another one of Suzanne 's Favorite quotes:
"No significant learning occurs without a significant relationship." -Dr. James Comer
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Thank you, Suzanne, for sharing your story and empowering others!
#womenshistorymonth #womansupportingwomen #womanpower #mainephotographer