About Me: I started in APS in 2005 teaching high school at Gateway High School for fourteen years, before I became a dean at South Middle School at the start of the 2019 school year. In my first year at Mrachek Middle School (2022-23), I was the eighth grade dean of students and in my second year I am the seventh grade dean of students. I started my career in APS teaching Business & Computer Education/Technology, and I completed my classroom time teaching Freshman Geography, and Upperclassmen Social Studies courses. I have two degrees in business, with a Masters Degree in Secondary Education.
Prior to coming to Colorado, I was a thirteen year United States Air Force Veteran and I served in support of Operation Desert Storm. Originally I am from North Carolina, and I have lived in Colorado since 1987, when I rotated from Germany. I guess I was destined to finish my working career in education. My mother was an educator for 30 years, and she taught myself, and my older brother and sister when we all passed through the fourth grade. So this is my way of saying thank you to her, and all of my teachers that I taught me from kindergarten, through my high school years by giving back to them, and becoming an educator also.
Ray R. Downing, Jr.
[email protected]
7th Grade Dean
Mrachek Middle School
(303) 750-2836 ext. 25465