Posted September 13, 2012

Kelly Ryan, has been honored with the National Association for Biology Teachers Outstanding Biology Teacher Award for New York State. She will be recognized at the NABT Honors Luncheon in October.

“Mom, I hope I love my job one day as much as you love yours.”

That simple sentence from Shaker High School biology teacher Kelly Ryan’s daughter is one of the most special memories that she took from winning the National Association for Biology Teachers Outstanding Biology Teacher award for New York State.

Ryan was nominated last spring for this prestigious award, of which only one person in the state can win. But the veteran teacher of 25 years wasn’t sure she was going to go for it at first.

“I was a little embarrassed,” Ryan said. “Through many professional development sessions, I have met some amazing teachers. There are so many great biology teachers out there.”

With a little encouragement from her friends, family and peers, Ryan decided to go ahead and submit her application. She was notified over Labor Day weekend that she had won.

To be considered for this award, candidates must have at least three years of teaching experience and must have devoted a major portion of their life to teaching biology/life science. Candidates are judged on their teaching ability and experience, among other qualities.

"What I have always been most impressed with is her ability to think outside the box and try new and different things that benefit teaching and learning," SHS science department supervisor Keith Bogert said. "I think of her as 'comfortable outside her comfort zone,' and that makes her a very special educator. We can all learn something from her approach to teaching and I am exceptionally proud to work with her on a daily basis."

Ryan’s view on teaching, specifically biology is a simple one: bring the subject to life for the students.

“One of my biggest pet peeves as a biology teacher is when I hear someone refer to a biology course as merely a list of vocabulary words to memorize,” she said. “I don’t ever want a student to leave my course with that impression. Students should always be engaged in the subject and they need to be given an opportunity to explore the concepts they are learning. I want my students to question things. I want them to take an interest and find out why things work the way they do.”

Ryan has immersed herself in the subject of biology over her 25 years in the teaching profession. She always makes professional development one of her personal goal each year.

“I feel this is imperative in order to keep abreast of the rapidly changing field of biology,” she said. “The new ideas and information allow me to keep my lessons fresh and exciting.”

Over the past few years, Ryan has started to present at conferences in addition to just attending them. In 2010, she became the Living Environment Subject Area Representative (SAR) for the Eastern Section of thee Science Teachers Association of New York State (STANYS). In this role, she presents at conferences both locally and throughout the state, and contributes articles four times a year for the STANYS newsletter.

“I enjoy writing those,” she said. “I use them to communicate information about new mandates, alert my colleagues to upcoming professional development opportunities and provide ideas for lesson plans.”

When she’s done teaching, Ryan would like to transition back to the college world and work closely with student-teachers and teach method courses.

“I want to impart some knowledge to the next generation of teachers,” she said. “I want them to enjoy this as much as I do.”

Just like her daughter said.