A little about Satoria Ray

Policy Analyst

Satoria assists in conducting data analysis of issues that affect early childhood, K-12, and higher education spheres. Alongside other members of the policy, advocacy, and research team, she ensures that data is being used to advance educational equity at regional and statewide levels.

Prior to joining EdTrust-New York, Satoria taught eighth-grade social studies in Dallas, Texas. She also worked as a curriculum developer, creating history lessons that were rigorous and culturally relevant for eighth-grade students across the district.

A native of Greensboro, North Carolina, Satoria holds a bachelor’s degree in communication studies and Hispanic studies from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Satoria holds a Master of Arts in sociology and education with a policy concentration from Teachers College, Columbia University. She is pursuing her doctorate in curriculum and teaching at Teachers College, Columbia.

Proudest Moment

With the help of North Texas Food Bank, a local non-profit, I was able to create a free food distribution site at the middle school I worked at in Dallas. Each month, families and community members were able to come get fresh produce, dry food, meat, and more at no cost to them. It is my proudest moment because my students and community members got access to food that often was inaccessible.

What drew you to education?

I grew up attending schools where most of the teachers and students looked and sounded nothing like me. Yet these schools were in zip codes that afforded them an abundance of resources. Later in life, I learned that zip codes affected the quality of a school and that I was considered lucky to live where I did and attend the schools I attended. I, however, didn’t think that luck should be the determining factor in receiving a quality education, so I placed myself in the field to ensure that students, regardless of where they live, attend schools that provide them with joyous, meaningful, education.

Why are you passionate about working at EdTrust-New York?

As a classroom teacher, I taught some of the most brilliant students. They showed up every day and gave their all to a system that gives so little to them in return. The data-centered and equity-driven work that EdTrust-New York prides itself on is transforming the way that education looks so the most marginalized students are not giving more than they are getting and I am proud to be a part of that.