Faculty Spotlight: Dr. John Murray

Meet Dr. John Murray

Degrees and Experience
  • Ph.D., Educational Leadership (Auburn University)
  • M.A., Educational Leadership (Columbia University)
  • M.Ed., Sport Science (The University of Virginia)
  • B.A., Psychology (The University of Virginia)
Biography and Professional Achievements

Dr. John Murray joined the CCU faculty as a full time instructor in the spring of 2017. He teaches online courses in the graduate education programs. Murray has been a classroom teacher, ACT/SAT tutor, science department head, high school principal, and university instructor in his more than 25 years as an educator. He chose education as a career because he loves helping people believe in themselves and loves helping them grow and learn. Murray has written two books: Effective Teacher Learning Practices in U.S. Independent Schools and Designing and Implementing Effective Professional Learning, and has published more than a dozen articles on schools and teaching. Murray holds a Ph.D. in educational leadership from Auburn University, an M.A. in school administration from Columbia University, and both an M.Ed. and a B.A. from the University of Virginia.

Murray is blessed to be a part of a university where he is able to freely profess his Christian belief and faith and is able to be a part of both the academic and spiritual growth of students. He has a passion for helping students learn and grow and feels most connected and whole doing so in a Christian community like CCU. Educators have a significant responsibility and a wonderful opportunity, and it is important that they embrace both if they are to positively influence the learning of their students.

Publications
  • Murray, J. (2014). Designing and Implementing Effective Teacher Professional Learning.
  • Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
  • Murray, J. (2011). Professional Learning Opportunities in US Independent Schools. London:Lambert Publishing.
  • Murray, J. (Spring, 2014). Critical issues facing school leaders concerning data-informed decision-making. Professional Educator.
  • Murray, J. (Fall, 2013). Understanding and overcoming teacher resistance. Independent School.
  • Murray, J. (2013). Critical issues facing school leaders concerning data-informed decision making. School Leadership and Management, 33(2), 169-177.
  • Murray, J. (2013). Transforming teacher learning in American schools. International Journal of Leadership in Education: Theory and Practice, 16(1), 1-6.
  • Murray, J. (2012). Supporting effective teacher learning in American schools. Teachers College Record, 114(12), (Electronic), ID Number: 16751.
  • Murray, J. (2012). Development of the independent school teacher development inventory. Journal of Experimental Education, 80(3), 1-26.
  • Kensler, L., Reames, E., Murray, J., & Patrick, L. (2012). Systems-thinking tools for improving evidence-based practice. The High School Journal, 95(2), 32-53
  • Murray, J. (Summer 2011). Supporting effective teacher professional learning in independent schools. Independent School.