How We Started
Mr. Gordon Ray, Mission Trails Founding Director
Mission Trails Regional Occupational Program (ROP) was founded by Gordon Ray, its first director. Mr. Ray’s path to shaping education began with an unconventional and inspiring journey through academics, athletics, and the arts.
After graduating from high school in 1948, Mr. Ray pursued community college while playing basketball. Despite facing discouragement from professors who doubted his potential, Mr. Ray remained determined. Mr. Ray attended California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) , his connection to the school beginning when he drove a friend to a college basketball scholarship opportunity. At Cal Poly, an all-men’s school at the time, he was introduced to "upside-down learning," a method where students dove into hands-on experience in their majors from the very first year. This ‘learning-by-doing’ methodology would figure prominently in his future career. His time at Cal Poly also deepened his love for education and creative thinking, setting the stage for his innovative approach in later years.
Mr. Ray's connection to Salinas deepened after meeting his future wife, whose family had relocated to the area during World War II. Mr. Ray eventually moved to Salinas himself, becoming a teacher, counselor, and baseball coach at Salinas High School. It was here that Mr. Ray’s professional relationship with Robert Binns, then Superintendent of the Salinas Union High School District and formerly his professor during his master’s program, truly began to flourish.
Robert Binns, known for his forward-thinking approach, had already helped establish a career and work experience program in the San Juan Unified School District prior to moving to Salinas. He recognized the urgent need for a program to support students who were leaving school to enter the workforce. Many of these students lacked formal training or had an incomplete education, leading to limited opportunities.
In 1965, Binns approached Mr. Ray with an idea to start a small Work Experience program serving 50–100 students. Gordon, inspired by a course in creative thinking he had recently taken, envisioned a broader and more impactful program. He pitched a revolutionary idea: "The community is a classroom." Under this philosophy, employers became teachers, and students gained real-world experience through job shadowing and hands-on learning. The program focused on keeping students engaged in school while equipping them with skills and connections to thrive in the workforce.
Together, Mr. Ray and Mr. Binns designed a program that blended academics and work. Students were required to complete coursework tied to their jobs, earning credit while maintaining attendance. To ensure the program's success, Mr. Ray personally monitored student participation, emphasizing the importance of staying in school while working.
The program quickly gained momentum, starting with seven career pathways and expanding to 31 programs within two years. Students explored fields like retail, automotive repair, welding, culinary arts, and nursing. Relationships with local businesses flourished, with professionals visiting classrooms to inspire students and offering mentorship opportunities. The program even facilitated job placements, creating a direct pipeline from school to employment.
As the program grew, Mr. Ray and Mr. Binns recognized the need for a centralized campus. Mr. Ray scouted locations across Salinas and secured the site at 867 E. Laurel Drive, where Mission Trails ROP was built. The campus, completed in 1977, featured the Main Building, Auto Shop, and Welding Building. By 1982, UC Berkeley named Mission Trails the top career education program in California, cementing its reputation as a model for ROPs statewide.
The partnership between Mr. Ray and Mr. Binns was defined by their shared commitment to innovative education and student success. Their collaboration not only transformed career education in Salinas but also established a legacy that continues to thrive. Today, Mission Trails ROP remains a beacon of hands-on education and community partnership, staying true to the learning-by-doing vision they created.
