About Rayne (she/her)

Rayne Lacko is the author of Dream Up Now: The Teen Journal for Self-Discovery and A Song For The Road, a social-emotional learning-themed Young Adult novel, and Eric Hoffer Book Award honorable mention. 

An expert in social-emotional learning, Rayne is the founder of SEL Solutions Pre K-12. 

Rayne delivers lectures in creative writing, English Composition, and social-emotional learning (SEL) for K-12 and adults and trains educators to integrate SEL in classroom settings. Rayne is committed to inclusion, diversity, and social justice,

Her short fiction and poetry appear in Writer’s Digest, Ariel Chart International Literary Journal, Gravel, Mixtape Methodology, and Poetry Corners Anthology 2023. She has contributed to several publications to help families and teens stimulate change, help themselves and others, and be a force for good. She served as president of Bainbridge Performing Arts and is a volunteer assistance dog trainer for canine programs serving hospitalized children and children in trauma testifying in Washington courts.

Rayne has cohosted thoughtfully inclusive creative writing youth workshops, an annual writing camp, and a teen arts showcase for seven years as a writing mentor. Rayne made TV appearances representing her former blog on new motherhood. For over a decade, she edited an outdoor adventure magazine. 

Rayne is a Canadian residing on a forested island in Washington, US. Rayne is married with two children and a noisy cat.

She earned her Master’s in Humanities in Social-Emotional Learning at Antioch University. She has a BA in Liberal Studies, with concentrations in Creative Writing and Leadership. Rayne attended UCLA’s writer’s program and Creative Writing at Harvard University.

ASSOCIATIONS

SEL Solutions – Founder, Lead teacher
Bainbridge Public Library Teen Writers’ Workshop, and Writing Camp Instructor/Mentor
Arts & Humanities Bainbridge Board of Trustees 2022
Bainbridge Performing Arts President – Board of Trustees; and Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra liaison 2018-2021
Pacific Northwest Writers Association Member
Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators
 Member
Reading Opens Minds chose Radio Head as a book club selection
She Writes Member
Pongo Teen Writing Completed Training to Teach Poetry to Youth in Juvenile Detention
Kitsap Mental Health Services Certified to provide Mental Health First Aid to YouthSEL Solutions

Social Justice Values

• LGBTQ+ ally 

• Commitment to ensuring equitable access within the learning environment, including but not limited to considerations related to cost; universal design for learning (UDL); and the integration of culturally relevant teaching practices

• Commitment to and respect for diverse views and opinions in the classroom and workplace

• Commitment to developing and implementing instructional strategies and practices that enhance student success, particularly those that support and improve outcomes for traditionally underserved populations

• Ability to integrate non-traditional delivery methods, as appropriate, to teach students of varying backgrounds, abilities, and learning styles