Meet our April Specialist of the Month: Sandra Gray

This month, we’re proud to recognize Sandra Gray, a dedicated Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) specialist at Roscommon High School. Now in her third year with JMG, Sandra brings passion, authenticity, and a deep commitment to helping young people discover their potential and build meaningful futures. She describes this role as something that “felt right in my bones”—and it shows in the impact she makes every day.

Before joining JMG, Sandra spent six years as a substitute teacher and one year teaching kindergarten. While she valued her time in education, she quickly realized traditional teaching wasn’t the right fit. Prior to that, she was a full-time mom who began substitute teaching as a way to stay connected to her community. When she discovered the JMG specialist role, everything clicked—it aligned perfectly with her strengths, her passion for youth, and her desire to make a difference.

What motivates Sandra most is simple: her students. Having lived in both downstate Michigan and Northern Michigan, she understands the gap in access to opportunities that many rural students face. She is driven to ensure that her students have the same exposure, support, and opportunities as those in larger communities. “Just because kids live here doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have opportunities,” she shared.

One of Sandra’s most meaningful experiences has been working with a student who, when he first joined the program, was extremely shy and struggled with basic social interactions like making eye contact or shaking hands. Through consistent one-on-one support, practice, and a summer work experience, he grew into a confident young man preparing to join the Marines and pursue a career as an airline mechanic. Watching that transformation—from hesitant to self-assured—has been one of Sandra’s proudest moments.

Sandra believes one of the biggest challenges facing youth today is a lack of real-world awareness and support. Many students are unsure of what careers truly require or lack the guidance to take the necessary steps. Through JMG, she provides hands-on experiences like job shadowing and career exploration to help students better understand their options. She also steps in to meet basic needs—whether it’s helping a student access transportation, prepare for an interview, or even secure appropriate clothing for work or graduation.

One of the greatest joys of Sandra’s role is seeing students realize what they are capable of achieving. Whether it’s completing a resume, successfully navigating a mock interview, or gaining the confidence to pursue a goal, these moments are what make the work so meaningful. “Seeing them realize they’re able to do things—that’s everything,” she shared. “This is my dream job.”

Sandra believes JMG is especially critical in rural communities, where students may face limited exposure and resources. By providing guidance, encouragement, and access to new experiences, she helps students see that opportunities exist beyond what they may have imagined—and that their goals are within reach.

Outside of work, Sandra is a proud mom of two and stays busy supporting her son’s basketball journey. She enjoys reading, exploring youth development resources, and even creating her own teas—recently discovering dandelion root tea as a favorite. Her passion for growth and learning extends far beyond the classroom.

Congratulations, Sandra, on being named our April Specialist of the Month! Thank you for your compassion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to helping Michigan’s youth build brighter futures. 

Nominations are open to ALL, including our employer partners! If you know a phenomenal specialist, we encourage you to [nominate them here] for our May Specialist of the Month.