Ryan Lewis has been an integral member of the Woodford family since the very beginning of his teaching career. In fact, he completed his student teaching at Woodford County High School and was hired to the Social Studies department upon achieving his degree. Throughout his time working at the high school, Mr. Lewis has consistently established a student-focused environment for his classroom. A mentor of Ryan’s, Dr. Kathy Swan, notes, “He understands the complexity of a classroom. He creates spaces for students to be their best.” Dr. Swan, who is the Director of ProTeach and a professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Education at the University of Kentucky, adds, “He has taught me so much about students being the most important thing in the classroom.”
Each day, Mr. Lewis demonstrates his dedication to students through his carefully planned instruction, topic discussions, assignments, and activities. He is extremely mindful of how students will experience the content he is delivering.
Another vital component of Mr. Lewis’ commitment to students is his pursuit of educational and professional development opportunities, which further improve his teaching craft. Ryan is a National Board Certified Teacher and a recipient of the 2021 Earle C. Clements Innovation in Education Award. Additionally, he currently is working to obtain his doctorate in Social Studies Education and Curriculum.
Most recently, Woodford County Public Schools is very excited to announce that Mr. Lewis was named as a recipient of the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program Award. The Fulbright Progam is a prestigious, government-sponsored program in which the United States partners with other countries to provide international educational and cultural exchange opportunities. The intention of the Fulbright Program is to “foster mutual understanding between the United States and partner nations, share knowledge across communities, and improve lives around the world.”
In particular, the “Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program is a year-long professional learning opportunity and short-term exchange for elementary, middle, and high school educators from the United States to develop skills to prepare students for a competitive global economy. Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms equips educators to bring an international perspective to their schools through targeted training, experience abroad, and global collaboration” (https://www.fulbrightteacherexchanges.org).
To complete the program, Ryan will participate in a semester-long course focused on global education. Upon the conclusion of the course, he will go to Washington D.C. for in-person professional development. Lastly, he will visit another country for two to three weeks to be immersed in another culture and educational system.
Mr. Lewis is eager for this program to begin. He says, “I love talking with other teachers and educators. I would love to know how things are done in other countries.” Through the Global Classroom, he will be able to connect with educators across our country and around the world. The collaboration, learning, and idea-sharing that will take place amongst the program participants will be immeasurable. Mr. Lewis says, “Ultimately, this program is about benefitting kids...There is a connection between what they see in the hallways and what goes on outside of Kentucky or outside of the United States. It’s a simple connection but a profound one for students to make.” Through the work Ryan will do in this program, he will help in cultivating a more global perspective within WCHS.
Dr. Swan says, “Ryan has inspired me to see that the classroom is where the best work is done.” Participating in the Global Classroom will absolutely allow for Mr. Lewis to grow and expand his abilities to keep producing work where it matters most — in the classroom with students who truly are our future.
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