For Jason Murray, success means finding the right strategies and academic supports to ensure success for every student. Murray teaches third and fourth grades at Florence Drake Elementary School in Sparks, Nevada, where he designs interactive lessons with embedded technology to keep students engaged. He uses daily formative assessments to gauge understanding and adjusts his instruction as needed. He championed and helped implement “Walk to Learn,” a schoolwide effort to support student growth in which teachers work with all students and share ownership of student outcomes. Both Murray’s students and the school as a whole have made great strides thanks in part to Murray’s work building instructional excellence. Between 2018 and 2022, Drake Elementary’s ELA proficiency rose from 48 to 70 percent, and math proficiency rose from 37 to 59 percent. In the 2021-22 school year, Murray’s students’ math proficiency rate of 82 percent were second highest among the district’s Title I elementary schools. These results contributed to Drake Elementary’s achievement as a National Blue Ribbon School in 2022.
Known as a collaborative colleague and role model, Murray has served as a mentor teacher, works with student teachers, and earned an endorsement in gifted and talented education. He sits on Drake’s leadership, reading week and field day committees and helps plan schoolwide events. Murray has showcased math instructional strategies for district principals and supports recruiting efforts to help build the district’s educator pipeline. As Drake’s soccer coach, Murray reminds students that they must be quality learners before they can be successful student athletes. The team has reached the district championship for the past two years.
Murray builds strong relationships with students and families, intent on understanding each child’s strengths, weaknesses, likes and interests. He communicates regularly with parents through Classroom Dojo and email. Students trust him and know he is focused on their well-being, both academic and emotional.
Murray earned a Bachelor of Science in elementary education in 2003 from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a Master of Education in 2007 from Grand Canyon University.
Press release: Three Cheers for Sparks Teacher Jason Murray, Recognized as One of America's Best with $25,000 Milken Educator Award
"If our kids learn and do a great job and take..." (read more)
2022 Gifted and Talented Endorsement, Gifted and Talented Education, Southern Utah University
2007 M.S., Reading and Curriculum, Grand Canyon University
2003 B.S., Elementary Education, University of Nevada - Reno
