Renowned education author and speaker, Dr. Ruby Payne, served as the keynote speaker for Pine Valley Central School’s “opening day” sessions with district instructional, support staff, and transportation teams.

SOUTH DAYTON — Faculty and staff from Pine Valley Central School had the chance to refocus their mindset heading into the 2022-23 school year thanks to a visit from renowned educator and author Ruby K. Payne.

Dr. Payne, who holds a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy studies from Loyola University, is an expert voice on working across economic classes to create sustainable communities and has written or co-authored many other books, including Bridges Out of Poverty. Her book A Framework for Understanding Poverty has sold 1.8 million copies and continues to help people achieve success.

Dr. Payne spent two days at Pine Valley, serving as the keynote speaker for the district’s “opening day” and working in small groups with members of the district’s instructional, support staff, and transportation teams. Her work with the Pine Valley team focused on the impact poverty and trauma has on students. She focused on research-based strategies that will help students overcome academic and behavioral challenges they may face.

“We were so pleased to welcome Dr. Ruby Payne to Pine Valley to help our staff deepen their understanding of how we can continue to best meet the needs of our students,” said Bryna Mortiz, Pine Valley superintendent. “Our buildings are still buzzing with what they took away from her time with our team.”

A former academic coordinator, elementary school principal, and professional development director in the midwestern and southwestern United States, Dr. Payne currently serves as the CEO of aha! Process, a publishing and consulting firm. She resides in Texas with her husband, Tee.