Ray Mondragon Named Executive Director of Early Childhood Learning

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Ray A. Mondragon

Ray A. Mondragon has 19 years of experience in public education, with 16 of those years specific to early childhood education and, most recently, as vice president of programs at the Collaborative for Children in Houston.

As the Executive Director of Early Childhood Learning in Aldine, he will lead all change efforts to increase access to quality programs for the district’s youngest students. This includes collaborating with partners and community organizations to create more opportunities for students.

In 1998, Mondragon began his career as an early childhood education/Head Start teacher in Denver Public Schools. He held several different positions while at DPS, including student advisor, assistant principal of teaching and learning, and principal. Mondragon left DPS in 2015 to join the Oakland Unified School District (Oakland, CA) as deputy chief of early learning.

While at DPS, Mondragon was the founding principal of a second early childhood school in DPS, Escalante-Biggs Academy. Under Mondragon’s instructional leadership, this school community achieved a 30% increase in a critical area: reading. The percentage of kindergarten students reading on grade level or higher rose from 59% to 89%.

“We want to continue to give all our students every opportunity to learn and thrive. Aldine primary schools have proven to provide strong foundational learning. Early literacy and numeracy skills are critical for early school success and improving outcomes in these areas. Because of that importance, we are investing in our early childhood education program, “said Chief of Schools Katy Roede. “Our strategic plan outlines expanding the quality of our primary schools to ensure students have the skills and tools they need. I am excited to see the choices and opportunities Ray develops for our youngest learners.

Mondragon holds a dual bachelor of arts degree in psychology and liberal arts with a minor in elementary education from Adams State University and a master’s in education leadership and policy studies from the University of Denver. He also holds a graduate certificate for completing the Buell Early Childhood Leadership Program from the University of Colorado.

Mondragon’s first day was April 16. He will be a part of the Schools Office and collaborate with School Assistant Superintendents and other departments to determine goals and priorities.