teacher of the year

Diandra Johnson Ray was inspired to teach at the tender age of five after watching her grandmother teach second grade.  Mrs. Ray loves to teach because serving others is her passion. She enjoys building, molding, and shaping the minds of future leaders. As a self proclaimed change agent she is dedicated to innovative learning through technology. 


Mrs. Ray earned a Bachelor's of Arts Degree in English from Louisiana State University. She later received a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Shorter University in Rome, Ga. Because of her love of learning, she most recently completed her Education Specialist Degree in Instructional Design and Technology at University of West Georgia. While at UWG she earned membership into the Kappa Delta PI Honor Society.   

Diandra holds a Gifted Endorsement in grades K-5, that she obtained while teaching in Douglas County. She has also acquired a Teacher Coaching Endorsement on her Georgia Teaching Certificate. In addition to her role as a fifth grade ELA and Social Studies teacher, she serves as a Team Lead. 

Outside of the classroom she enjoys writing, culture, traveling, shopping, and fine dining. She is a proud mother of an almost 6 year old baby girl. She and her husband have been a resident of Georgia for the last fifteen plus years. She is elated to continue her career in Douglas County and to serve as one of Douglas County’s school-wide Teachers Of the Year at New Manchester Elementary School for the 2024-2025 school year.