The first in his family to go to a four-year college, Ryan knew he wanted to be a teacher. Ryan has spent more than a decade in school leadership roles, finding a supportive network in Indianapolis.

Q & A

What is your personal "why" for doing this work?

I was the first in my family to go to a four-year college. I knew I wanted to become a teacher. I also really value meaningful relationships, and I've found an incredible network here in Indianapolis, including TFA alumni. 

Indy is where I want to be. It has a big-city feel at a small-city cost. There is a progressive education landscape here that allows us to pursue innovative ways to teach kids in an urban city.

What advice do you have for future educators?

Be humble and value people. As a young corps member, I thought I knew the answer or cause of a problem. But you don’t know what your kids and teachers are going through. Get curious about problems and ask questions, instead of making assumptions.

Additionally, be honest and direct. It goes both ways—in the classroom, with students, and with staff. If something's not working in the classroom, we need to address it head-on.

Lastly, find joy. Our work is so incredibly hard. If we can’t find a way to laugh and find joy, it will suck the soul out of us. I love our people and students so much. That’s what makes it worth coming back.