Title: Teacher
Company: Clark County School District
Location: Mount Vernon, Washington, United States
Jaime Lee “Rana” Koran, teacher at Clark County School District, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements, and leadership in academia.
With nearly a decade and a half of experience, Ms. Koran has built a successful career in education, specializing in communications, teaching English, journalism, publications, video production, theater, and multimedia. She has excelled as a teacher with the Clark County School District since 2010, where she has taught at both middle and high schools, covering subjects such as English, multimedia, yearbook, video production, and theater. Over the years, she has worked with students from seventh to tenth grade. In addition, she serves as a facilitator for the Nevada National Board Professional Learning Institute, where she leads component one, the exam preparation for national board certification, and plays a key role in Q&A sessions.
Ms. Koran also dedicates her time as a member of the Alpha Psi Omega National Theatre Honor Society and volunteers with organizations such as Three Square and Spread the Word Nevada. In light of her impressive undertakings, she was named a Policy Fellow with Teach Plus Nevada for 2022 to 2023 and received five nominations for the Heart of Education Award. She laid a solid educational foundation by earning a bachelor’s degree in English literature, theater, and writing from Graceland University in 1999, followed by a master’s degree in theater from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in 2001, and a master’s degree in English as a second language from Western Governors University in 2021. She also achieved national board certification in English Language Arts in 2018 and holds a National Board Professional Teaching License.
Reflecting on her path, before embarking on her teaching career, Ms. Koran had the unique opportunity to work with Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas, where she specialized in wardrobe and costuming. Her journey with the Clark County School District officially began in January 2012 after spending a year as a substitute teacher while transitioning from her role with Cirque du Soleil’s Osho. Reflecting on her path, she credits much of her success to the mentorship and support she received along the way. These relationships have been instrumental in shaping her teaching philosophy and helping her build strong connections with her students through empathetic cognitive coaching. She takes great pride in fostering open communication with her students and cherishes the fulfillment that comes from positively impacting their lives. She also has a deep appreciation for the dedication and resilience of her colleagues, recognizing that the real challenges in education often stem from bureaucratic processes rather than the students themselves.
Looking to the future, Ms. Koran says while she may need to substitute teach due to the allocation of COVID funds, she sees it as an opportunity to familiarize herself with different districts. She is also exploring positions within the district and county, with a particular interest in professional development opportunities. She also envisions shifting her focus toward supporting and empowering teachers, possibly as a learning strategist or consultant. Additionally, she plans to pursue a doctorate in professional development to further her impact by driving professional learning for educators. Her ultimate goal is to remain passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of both students and teachers.
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