Ray Garcia-Morales Male • United Arab Emirates

Principal Ray Garcia-Morales is a dedicated educational leader with over 25 years of experience. He is committed to fostering student success, promoting equity, and transforming school environments. Over the years, he has held key leadership roles, starting as an Assistant Principal at Tyee High School and Cleveland High School and ultimately serving as Principal at Chief Sealth International High School. Throughout his career, Ray has focused on creating environments where students can succeed academically and feel valued and supported in their personal and social growth.

Ray's leadership philosophy is grounded in the belief that education is a powerful tool for social change. He has always prioritized creating safe and supportive learning environments where students feel empowered to achieve their best. Under his leadership, Chief Sealth International High School experienced a cultural shift that emphasized student safety, academic excellence, and community engagement. His work at the school involved improving educational outcomes and ensuring students had the mental health support and resources needed to thrive.

In addition to his work in school leadership, Ray has contributed to various nonprofit organizations, including the Seattle Youth Involvement Network, Children’s Alliance, and Safe Futures. These collaborations allowed him to engage with broader community initiatives, ensuring that education extends beyond the classroom and addresses the full spectrum of students’ needs. His ability to balance school leadership with community involvement has made him an impactful figure in education and the community.

Ray began his career in education in 2004 as a School Social Worker at the Bronx High School for Writing and Communication Arts. During this time, he advocated for student needs, supported mental health initiatives, and managed the academic portfolios of multilingual learners and students with IEPs. This role shaped his deep understanding of addressing students' educational and emotional well-being. Following his work in New York, Ray continued his career at Cleveland High School before transitioning into school administration at Tyee High School, where he served as Principal Intern, Dean of Students, and Assistant Principal from 2011 to 2015. There, he worked on strengthening the school culture and ensuring students felt safe and supported in their learning environment.

Ray's leadership journey continued when he returned to Cleveland High School as Assistant Principal from 2015 to 2021. During this time, he focused on improving school culture, reinforcing high academic expectations, and ensuring all students had the necessary resources and support to excel. His work during this period laid the foundation for his leadership style at Chief Sealth, where he took on the role of Principal from 2021 to 2025. At Chief Sealth, Ray worked to cultivate a strong sense of community, supported staff development, and secured diverse funding sources to benefit the school. He also prioritized mental health initiatives and community engagement to ensure the holistic development of students.

In addition to his career in education, Ray co-founded the clothing brand Rebels & Scholars, which was dedicated to social justice and community engagement. From 2014 to 2020, the brand gained recognition for its advocacy for undocumented students, offering scholarships, and creating opportunities for community interaction through Pop Up Markets. Although he stepped away from the business to focus on his principalship, the brand’s community-driven mission remains essential to his entrepreneurial journey.

Ray’s commitment to community service is also evident in his volunteer work. He has contributed financially and in-kind to numerous organizations, including El Centro de la Raza, YouthCare, and the Latino Community Fund. He also volunteers with the Union Gospel Mission and the Washington State Department of Corrections, demonstrating his dedication to improving mental health and supporting those in need.

A native of Seattle, Ray Garcia-Morales is deeply inspired by the region’s natural beauty, which fuels his passion for education and service. His work continues to reflect his belief in the power of education to drive social change, and his efforts to ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed remain at the heart of everything he does. Ray’s leadership in education and the community has made a lasting impact, and he remains committed to helping students reach their full potential.