Ryan Maher, Teacher Education Scholarship Winner, Special Summer 2011, Part B Session
The University of Scranton, in partnership with Bisk Education, Inc., proudly recognizes Ryan Maher – a second grade teacher at Tarver Elementary School in Temple, Texas – as winner of the Bisk Foundation Teacher Education Scholarship for the Special Summer 2011, Part B session. The scholarship supports the professional development of outstanding teachers who are making a difference in the lives of their students.
Currently enrolled in The University of Scranton’s online Master of Science in Educational Administration program, Maher is highly regarded by colleagues, students and parents at Tarver. He is dedicated to discovering new and creative ways to provide a sound education for his students while also demonstrating his strong leadership skills in and out of the classroom setting.
Maher’s teaching career began at a private school in Overland Park, Kansas, in a classroom of 30 kindergarteners. Through the lessons he learned that first year and the next several years as a second grade teacher, Maher discovered how much he loved teaching and realized that a career in education was the perfect fit for him professionally. As he says, “Seeing the eyes of the kids when they struggled through a task and as I helped them. They finally ‘got it.’ [It] was priceless.”
He credits his patient yet competitive nature for helping him develop innovative methods to motivate and inspire students in his school to perform better both academically and behaviorally. One of his students was able to advance two grade levels in reading through Maher’s creative and consistent approach to building her skills. “Teaching young kids takes a certain patience and passion to want to help them succeed, especially when the gratifying results are not always seen right away,” he notes.
Maher is also a passionate and dedicated coach, and has been able to successfully translate effective coaching techniques into the classroom (and vice versa). He observes that, “Like teaching, coaching requires confidence and sound knowledge of the goals and expectations of the task and being able to find a way to relate this to the kids in order to help them accomplish [their goals]… Being confident in what you are teaching, whether in the classroom or on the field, relays a message to the kids that you have faith in them and you want the best for them.”
Maher stresses to his players and his students the importance of never giving up, an attitude that he knows will help them on the field, in the classroom, and for the rest of their lives. Clearly, Maher hasn’t given up on his dreams, as the next natural step for him is to continue his education and become a principal. “I look forward to the opportunities it will hopefully allow me to positively impact the lives of my students, fellow staff, and community.”
Maher’s principal at Tarver proudly shares that during his three years at her school, he has shown a commendable work ethic demonstrated by working long hours for not just his own students, but all students in the school district. He displays natural leadership abilities among his peers, often taking the initiative to recognize, develop and implement plans for action that will improve the school’s environment. She also notes that “His peers often seek his input regarding various academic and classroom management practices.”
Together with The University of Scranton, Bisk Education is proud to salute Ryan Maher – a true everyday hero who is making a difference through the gift of education!
