Monique Vernas Pettaway-Ray is a graduate of Satsuma High School, located in Satsuma, Alabama. Upon graduation, she joined the Army National Guard, where she completed nine years of service. From there, she attended Alabama A & M University, where she received a history and biology degree in secondary education. Upon graduation, Monique began her teaching career in north Alabama teaching eighth-grade science. She then returned to Mobile, where she continued her teaching career as a seventh-grade science and social studies teacher. Monique received her master’s degree from Troy State University in public administration with a concentration in public personnel. A second master’s from Nova