Meet Melissa — Co-founder of Sky International Kindergarten

Gamarjoba! I am Melissa, educator, mother, and co-founder of SKY.

When I graduated with my education degree from the U.S. in 2012, I knew my career would be centered on guiding young learners. My first teaching experience was at a Reggio Emilia kindergarten in the U.S. where I developed a passion for early years education. That path brought me to Georgia in 2015 as a Peace Corps volunteer, where I quickly connected with the people, culture, and community. Georgia soon became my home. I met my husband here, and today we are raising our daughter in a bilingual, multicultural household.

Over the past twelve years, my work in education has taken me around the world. In Georgia, I taught with the Peace Corps. My work as a lead early childhood and primary teacher in China and Vietnam focused on hands-on, play-based learning and inquiry strategies, including the Reggio Emilia approach. Later, I served in a leadership role at an American school in Vietnam, guiding teachers and designing learning frameworks, while completing my Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. Across every role and country, my core principle has remained constant: children learn best when they feel safe, valued, curious, and supported.

As a parent, I ask the same questions every family considers when choosing a school. I want to know that my daughter is safe, that her natural curiosity is nurtured, and that she is encouraged to build confidence at her own pace. SKY was created out of those exact priorities. We designed SKY as a space where high-quality international early learning meets the warmth of a close-knit community. When you join us, your child is in experienced, thoughtful hands that understand both the science of early development and the everyday realities of raising a child in Georgia.

We would love to welcome your family to SKY. Whether you want to discuss early literacy, bilingual learning, or take a tour of our school, our doors are always open. Thank you for taking the time to read my story, and I look forward to getting to know your family.

Melissa Ray

Co-founder and Educator

Sky International Kindergarten