Dr. Qiana Gray
Dr. Qiana Gray
& Tech
How did you get into teaching and what motivates you?
How did you get into teaching and what motivates you?
How did you get into teaching and what motivates you?
Teaching wasn’t my original plan. I tried working in the medical field but found it emotionally overwhelming. I’ve always wanted to help people, but healthcare just didn’t fit the kind of heart I have. One day, I saw a teaching job opening and decided to give it a shot. The moment I stepped into a classroom, I felt it was where I truly belonged. I started working toward my early education credential in the U.S., then later taught in Mexico and South Korea while completing my degrees. I’ve been teaching ever since.
Teaching wasn’t my original plan. I tried working in the medical field but found it emotionally overwhelming. I’ve always wanted to help people, but healthcare just didn’t fit the kind of heart I have. One day, I saw a teaching job opening and decided to give it a shot. The moment I stepped into a classroom, I felt it was where I truly belonged. I started working toward my early education credential in the U.S., then later taught in Mexico and South Korea while completing my degrees. I’ve been teaching ever since.
Teaching wasn’t my original plan. I tried working in the medical field but found it emotionally overwhelming. I’ve always wanted to help people, but healthcare just didn’t fit the kind of heart I have. One day, I saw a teaching job opening and decided to give it a shot. The moment I stepped into a classroom, I felt it was where I truly belonged. I started working toward my early education credential in the U.S., then later taught in Mexico and South Korea while completing my degrees. I’ve been teaching ever since.
What keeps you passionate about this work?
What keeps you passionate about this work?
What keeps you passionate about this work?
I just love helping people. It might sound cliché, but teaching gives me a way to give a piece of myself without expecting anything in return. When I teach someone a skill—like reading or how to use a new tech tool—they can pass that knowledge on to others. That’s how I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do. It’s not about getting something back, it’s about sharing and supporting others.
I just love helping people. It might sound cliché, but teaching gives me a way to give a piece of myself without expecting anything in return. When I teach someone a skill—like reading or how to use a new tech tool—they can pass that knowledge on to others. That’s how I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do. It’s not about getting something back, it’s about sharing and supporting others.
I just love helping people. It might sound cliché, but teaching gives me a way to give a piece of myself without expecting anything in return. When I teach someone a skill—like reading or how to use a new tech tool—they can pass that knowledge on to others. That’s how I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do. It’s not about getting something back, it’s about sharing and supporting others.
What’s your teaching focus?
What’s your teaching focus?
What’s your teaching focus?
It really depends on where I’m working. Right now, I’m a reading intervention specialist, so I help children who missed out on some of the basics. I also teach teachers how to use technology in their classrooms. In places like South Africa, where tech integration is still developing, I might even be introducing PowerPoint. But teaching kids how to read is my favorite. I have a youthful energy that helps me connect with children and get them excited about reading by focusing on what they like and connecting it to what they need. In the ESL world, you meet learners of all ages. I’ve worked with kids, university students, and adults. So yes—I cover all age ranges.
It really depends on where I’m working. Right now, I’m a reading intervention specialist, so I help children who missed out on some of the basics. I also teach teachers how to use technology in their classrooms. In places like South Africa, where tech integration is still developing, I might even be introducing PowerPoint. But teaching kids how to read is my favorite. I have a youthful energy that helps me connect with children and get them excited about reading by focusing on what they like and connecting it to what they need. In the ESL world, you meet learners of all ages. I’ve worked with kids, university students, and adults. So yes—I cover all age ranges.
It really depends on where I’m working. Right now, I’m a reading intervention specialist, so I help children who missed out on some of the basics. I also teach teachers how to use technology in their classrooms. In places like South Africa, where tech integration is still developing, I might even be introducing PowerPoint. But teaching kids how to read is my favorite. I have a youthful energy that helps me connect with children and get them excited about reading by focusing on what they like and connecting it to what they need. In the ESL world, you meet learners of all ages. I’ve worked with kids, university students, and adults. So yes—I cover all age ranges.
"... learning the language also connects to your identity because it's so technical at first. But when you get to that vast area, you can't express yourself as yourself once you know the language."
"... learning the language also connects to your identity because it's so technical at first. But when you get to that vast area, you can't express yourself as yourself once you know the language."
"... learning the language also connects to your identity because it's so technical at first. But when you get to that vast area, you can't express yourself as yourself once you know the language."
Are there different types of language learners and how do language learners progress through different stages?
Are there different types of language learners and how do language learners progress through different stages?
Are there different types of language learners and how do language learners progress through different stages?
Yes, I usually see three types. Some are learning for academic reasons, because they need English at school. Others are doing it for work—maybe their company uses English or they need it for business communication. And then there are people learning simply for personal growth. They’re out of school, not doing it for work, but they want to learn English just to feel confident and gain a new skill. In the beginning, it’s all about building confidence—just being brave enough to try. Then come foundational elements like learning the alphabet or simple phrases. The next stage is being able to express your ideas while still feeling like yourself. I remember students in Korea saying, “I’m funny in my native language but not in English.” That always stayed with me. Advanced learners reach the point where they can read, write, speak, and be fully themselves in the new language.
Yes, I usually see three types. Some are learning for academic reasons, because they need English at school. Others are doing it for work—maybe their company uses English or they need it for business communication. And then there are people learning simply for personal growth. They’re out of school, not doing it for work, but they want to learn English just to feel confident and gain a new skill. In the beginning, it’s all about building confidence—just being brave enough to try. Then come foundational elements like learning the alphabet or simple phrases. The next stage is being able to express your ideas while still feeling like yourself. I remember students in Korea saying, “I’m funny in my native language but not in English.” That always stayed with me. Advanced learners reach the point where they can read, write, speak, and be fully themselves in the new language.
Yes, I usually see three types. Some are learning for academic reasons, because they need English at school. Others are doing it for work—maybe their company uses English or they need it for business communication. And then there are people learning simply for personal growth. They’re out of school, not doing it for work, but they want to learn English just to feel confident and gain a new skill. In the beginning, it’s all about building confidence—just being brave enough to try. Then come foundational elements like learning the alphabet or simple phrases. The next stage is being able to express your ideas while still feeling like yourself. I remember students in Korea saying, “I’m funny in my native language but not in English.” That always stayed with me. Advanced learners reach the point where they can read, write, speak, and be fully themselves in the new language.
When does vocabulary become important?
When does vocabulary become important?
When does vocabulary become important?
It depends on the learner. For kids, vocabulary becomes important once they understand the alphabet and start blending sounds. But for adults, especially in specific fields like medicine or engineering, it’s important right away. A nurse, for example, needs to know relevant vocabulary from the start. So the timing varies—vocabulary becomes important either after mastering the basics or immediately, depending on your goal.
It depends on the learner. For kids, vocabulary becomes important once they understand the alphabet and start blending sounds. But for adults, especially in specific fields like medicine or engineering, it’s important right away. A nurse, for example, needs to know relevant vocabulary from the start. So the timing varies—vocabulary becomes important either after mastering the basics or immediately, depending on your goal.
It depends on the learner. For kids, vocabulary becomes important once they understand the alphabet and start blending sounds. But for adults, especially in specific fields like medicine or engineering, it’s important right away. A nurse, for example, needs to know relevant vocabulary from the start. So the timing varies—vocabulary becomes important either after mastering the basics or immediately, depending on your goal.
How has classroom tech changed since you started teaching?
How has classroom tech changed since you started teaching?
How has classroom tech changed since you started teaching?
When I began, tech was used, but not heavily. Now, I often have to remind teachers that technology is a tool to support learning, not replace it. Tools like ChatGPT can make things easier, but they can also skip important steps in the learning process. Students can generate a paper instantly without really understanding the topic. That’s the biggest shift—tech used to support learning, now it risks replacing the process.
When I began, tech was used, but not heavily. Now, I often have to remind teachers that technology is a tool to support learning, not replace it. Tools like ChatGPT can make things easier, but they can also skip important steps in the learning process. Students can generate a paper instantly without really understanding the topic. That’s the biggest shift—tech used to support learning, now it risks replacing the process.
When I began, tech was used, but not heavily. Now, I often have to remind teachers that technology is a tool to support learning, not replace it. Tools like ChatGPT can make things easier, but they can also skip important steps in the learning process. Students can generate a paper instantly without really understanding the topic. That’s the biggest shift—tech used to support learning, now it risks replacing the process.
What tools do you personally use in teaching and would recommend other teachers a well?
What tools do you personally use in teaching and would recommend other teachers a well?
What tools do you personally use in teaching and would recommend other teachers a well?
I’ve been using tools like ChatGPT, Leonardo for graphics, and HeyGen for presenting information. Of course, I use Google Drive regularly. Canva is another go-to tool. I use tech a lot—it’s a huge part of how I work. I love combining these tools to enhance lessons and make them visually engaging and interactive for my students. There are so many resources now. I like A-Z Learning—it includes games and videos, and it aligns with curriculum standards. Google tools are great because everything is stored in one place. I also teach gamifying lessons using tools like PowerPoint. In a recent class, I had my students use ChatGPT to generate a story, then turn it into a game with visuals and slides. It brought out so much creativity, and they can reuse that in their future classrooms.
I’ve been using tools like ChatGPT, Leonardo for graphics, and HeyGen for presenting information. Of course, I use Google Drive regularly. Canva is another go-to tool. I use tech a lot—it’s a huge part of how I work. I love combining these tools to enhance lessons and make them visually engaging and interactive for my students. There are so many resources now. I like A-Z Learning—it includes games and videos, and it aligns with curriculum standards. Google tools are great because everything is stored in one place. I also teach gamifying lessons using tools like PowerPoint. In a recent class, I had my students use ChatGPT to generate a story, then turn it into a game with visuals and slides. It brought out so much creativity, and they can reuse that in their future classrooms.
I’ve been using tools like ChatGPT, Leonardo for graphics, and HeyGen for presenting information. Of course, I use Google Drive regularly. Canva is another go-to tool. I use tech a lot—it’s a huge part of how I work. I love combining these tools to enhance lessons and make them visually engaging and interactive for my students. There are so many resources now. I like A-Z Learning—it includes games and videos, and it aligns with curriculum standards. Google tools are great because everything is stored in one place. I also teach gamifying lessons using tools like PowerPoint. In a recent class, I had my students use ChatGPT to generate a story, then turn it into a game with visuals and slides. It brought out so much creativity, and they can reuse that in their future classrooms.
"People want to replace learning the steps. And learning the steps is how you become an expert"
"People want to replace learning the steps. And learning the steps is how you become an expert"
"People want to replace learning the steps. And learning the steps is how you become an expert"
How should language learners choose the right tools?
How should language learners choose the right tools?
How should language learners choose the right tools?
It’s really important to use discernment. With so many apps out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and lose focus. If one app works for your vocabulary goals—stick with it. Switching all the time causes confusion and breaks your progress. Eventually, you stop using any of them. Pick a tool that keeps you engaged, shows your progress, and aligns with your goal. Stick with it until you feel ready to add something new.
It’s really important to use discernment. With so many apps out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and lose focus. If one app works for your vocabulary goals—stick with it. Switching all the time causes confusion and breaks your progress. Eventually, you stop using any of them. Pick a tool that keeps you engaged, shows your progress, and aligns with your goal. Stick with it until you feel ready to add something new.
It’s really important to use discernment. With so many apps out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and lose focus. If one app works for your vocabulary goals—stick with it. Switching all the time causes confusion and breaks your progress. Eventually, you stop using any of them. Pick a tool that keeps you engaged, shows your progress, and aligns with your goal. Stick with it until you feel ready to add something new.
Do you think AI will ever replace teachers?
Do you think AI will ever replace teachers?
Do you think AI will ever replace teachers?
No. There’s nothing like human connection. Even though we’re using technology to talk right now, what makes this conversation meaningful is that we’re both real people. AI can help us save time and make learning more engaging, but it can’t replace that human element. AI should enhance the experience, not take it over. That’s a good thing—I’ve seen The Terminator! (laughs)
No. There’s nothing like human connection. Even though we’re using technology to talk right now, what makes this conversation meaningful is that we’re both real people. AI can help us save time and make learning more engaging, but it can’t replace that human element. AI should enhance the experience, not take it over. That’s a good thing—I’ve seen The Terminator! (laughs)
No. There’s nothing like human connection. Even though we’re using technology to talk right now, what makes this conversation meaningful is that we’re both real people. AI can help us save time and make learning more engaging, but it can’t replace that human element. AI should enhance the experience, not take it over. That’s a good thing—I’ve seen The Terminator! (laughs)
"It's an enhancement to your learning experience. It allows engagement, but it will never be able to replace human connection."
"It's an enhancement to your learning experience. It allows engagement, but it will never be able to replace human connection."
"It's an enhancement to your learning experience. It allows engagement, but it will never be able to replace human connection."
Where can people find your work or get in touch?
Where can people find your work or get in touch?
Where can people find your work or get in touch?
You can reach me at https://www.beelieveinreading.com/ or email me at admin@beelieveinreading.com. I work with children learning to read and with teachers who want to improve their practice. I’m always open to workshops, collaborations, or just connecting with people who want to make education better.
You can reach me at https://www.beelieveinreading.com/ or email me at admin@beelieveinreading.com. I work with children learning to read and with teachers who want to improve their practice. I’m always open to workshops, collaborations, or just connecting with people who want to make education better.
You can reach me at https://www.beelieveinreading.com/ or email me at admin@beelieveinreading.com. I work with children learning to read and with teachers who want to improve their practice. I’m always open to workshops, collaborations, or just connecting with people who want to make education better.
