Ray Cramer, Director of School and Community Education

Pronouns: he/him/his

Ray moved often as part of a military family before settling in rural Virginia for high school and college. His college passions led him to work co-founding an outdoor program for incarcerated youth, another to create service opportunities in Appalachian communities, and a third providing programming and support in Washington D.C. homeless shelters.

Ray worked on farms in high school and studied agriculture and gardening. As he ventured outside for farming new perspectives came through time spent among the Diné (Navajo) in New Mexico, collaborating on ways to share nature across cultures.

Ultimately, the purest form of advocacy for Ray became teaching, which led him to work in 10 outdoor schools around the country, as well as become a credentialed teacher in a school with a student population of over 70% minority students, before he arrived at IslandWood in 2004.

Somewhere along the line, Ray also discovered a passion for mentoring teachers, active listening, mindfulness and outdoor play. As senior faculty for the EEC program, he led the Teaching Practicum, Advanced Instructional Strategies and Wilderness First Aid, among other professional development topics. Ray also coordinated the EEC mentoring program.

Over the years, Ray has mentored over 400 teachers, including “at least” two national, two state, one county and one city “Teacher of the Year.” Ray took on the role of Director of Campus School and Community Education in 2021. In this capacity, Ray wants to foster a culture of possibility for children, teachers, caregivers and all who practice lifelong learning.

Ray lives on the island with his wife, two children, a border collie and a gerbil. When not working at IslandWood, you might find him sailing, biking, teaching wilderness medicine for NOLS, or out hiking. EDUCATION: B.S. Psychology, Virginia Tech; M.S. Outdoor Teacher Education, Northern Illinois University; California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential; National Registry Emergency Medical Technician