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My name is Ms. Ray and I have been teaching high school students for over 23 years. I graduated from Meredith College with a double major in American History and Political Studies and received my National Board Certification in 2006. I taught high school social studies classes including US History, World History, and Psychology in both Nash-Rocky Mount and Wake County schools. Currently I write assessments for an EdTech company. For the last 14 years, I have been teaching Leadership Development for NC Virtual.

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Meet my 18-year-old son Ethan, and my 14-year-old son Jonah. It is an honor to share my life with these two men.

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I was born in Raleigh, raised in Franklin County, and now live in Wendell.

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I was born in Raleigh, raised in Franklin County, and now live in Wendell.

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I attended elementary school in Raleigh and then graduated from Bunn High School in 1994.  Moving to Franklin County was not an easy transition, however the experience of living in a city and in a rural area has made me appreciate both lifestyles.

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I was named after my mother's favorite song and my father's favorite cousin.

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I was named after my mother's favorite song and my father's favorite cousin.

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"Melissa" came from the song "Sweet Melissa" by the Allman Brothers Band and "Dawn" came from my father's first cousin. My Granny thought "Melissa" was too big a name for such a tiny baby so she nicknamed me "Missy." After I graduated from high school, I went by "Melissa." I can always tell from which part of my life someone knows me by which name they call me.

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I graduated from Meredith College in 1998.

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I graduated from Meredith College in 1998.

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Even classes rock! Meredith is full of traditions including events like Cornhuskin' and the Father/Daughter Dance. I loved every minute of my college experience and attribute many of my leadership skills to my involvement on campus.

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If I could be any animal, it would be a dog.

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If I could be any animal, it would be a dog.

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Dogs understand unconditional love, friendship, and kindness.  I would want to give someone else the joy my sweet Daisy and Duke give to my family every day.

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If I could eat one thing for the rest of my life, it would be SUSHI!

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If I could eat one thing for the rest of my life, it would be SUSHI!

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I did not try sushi until after I had my boys because I was scared it would make me sick.  Now each time I eat it, I know I wasted too many years in fear!

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When I grow up, I want to be an interior designer.

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When I grow up, I want to be an interior designer.

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I love to decorate my house as well as others. I grew up helping my mother find beauty in others' trash so my appreciation for antiques is great. However my style is more rustic chic because I mix a little bit of modern with my treasures. It would be a dream come true to decorate homes all the time...even I have to sacrifice time to shop with other people's money!

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I would like to visit Normandy, France and take a safari in South Africa.

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I would like to visit Normandy, France and take a safari in South Africa.

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As a history teacher, visiting Normandy should make sense. I want to visit the beaches where D-Day took place and honor those (including my ancestors) who gave their lives so that we may be free. I would love to see giraffes, lions, and zebras running across the savanna...just as I imagined in my safari-themed room as a child.