We proudly announce that Ryan Suggs is our 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year at Eugene Padan Elementary School.
Ryan has taught third grade at Padan for four years. He also was a student teacher here while he attended the University of San Francisco. Therefore, Ryan has only ever taught at Padan. We are sure glad he stuck around!
Spending just five minutes in his classroom will make you eager to stay the whole day. He teaches with so much passion and energy. He is genuinely dynamic with his students. The community that he builds from day one is incredible. Ryan makes his classroom a safe and loving environment where students thrive because of his approach.
Ryan makes connections with students who are most challenging to reach. He finds a way to meet the students where they are and builds a rapport right away, and the students don't struggle. He epitomizes what it means to be a champion for students and their needs for both academic and social excellence.
Ryan is a pillar of our Padan community and is seen as a leader on campus. Whether it be with site-wide initiatives to implement new curriculum and programs or developing our PLC to become stronger.
His vision and focus for the greater good are always at the forefront. The collaboration that he has with his third-grade team is incredible. They work like a well-oiled machine!
Ryan serves as a member of our School Site Council. He devotes much time to the booster club, and our Padan families are fortunate to have his energy there.
His colleagues had this to say about him.
"Ryan is a phenomenal teacher. He uses engaging teaching strategies as well as super positive classroom management. He has also shown a tremendous dedication and commitment to the Padan community that is above and beyond the call of duty. For Ryan, Padan is more than a job; it is a family."
"Ryan Suggs is a stellar teacher. He fosters an excitement for learning in his classroom. He genuinely cares and advocates for his students!"
Above all, I respect and appreciate Ryan as a role model and quiet leader. He is ALWAYS positive and stays solution-oriented. He never backs down from the tough stuff. Ryan is a true gift to Padan and deserves to be celebrated for the excellent teacher, leader, and human being that he is.
-- Cicely Rodda, Principal, Eugene Padan Elementary School.