Robertson Kitchen & Bath Difference Maker: Alana Ryan, Alliance Middle
NAME – Alana Ryan
SCHOOL – Alliance Middle School
RESIDENCE – Alliance
AGE – 31
JOB TITLE – Community and family liaison behavioral specialist
HOW LONG WITH DISTRICT – Seven years
FAMILY – Nicholas Ryan (father), Christine Pershing (mother), Cherokee Burrell (sister, 35), Dalton Ryan (brother, 29), and Corbin Pershing (brother, 15).
NOMINATION – "Ms. Ryan is currently coordinating the AMS Student Improvement Lab. She does a very nice job of working with our students and re-directing them towards positive behaviors and she is firm in her approach but demonstrates great understanding of the needs of each student."
WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING PART OF YOUR POSITION? – The most rewarding part of my position is working with our students of Alliance Middle School and having “talks” about the challenges of life. As a teacher here at AMS, I value the importance of relationships with staff, students, and parents because without relationships there is no heart for education.
WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING? – The most challenging part of my job is helping my students take their education seriously. Most students want to do their best but have to negotiate various obstacles to achieve their goal. I make an effort to identify and remove the obstacles and barriers that keep students from realizing their full potential.
IF YOU WEREN'T DOING THIS, YOU'D BE ... – ... traveling around the world as an inspirational speaker for young men and women. I would love to share my personal journey as a child and would try to inspire students to overcome their circumstances through confidence, compassion and grit.
TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT THE STUDENTS YOU DEAL WITH THAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW OR APPRECIATE? – Most people do not realize that the students that come to the Student Improvement Lab are not “bad students.” They come to me because they have made a poor decision (like we have all done at some point in our lives). They need to be reminded that their education is important, that they are important and they have potential to impact their community. I appreciate these students because of their willingness to share openly and take an active role in making positive changes to better themselves.
HOW DO YOU UNWIND AFTER A LONG DAY AT WORK? – A few of the things that I do to help myself unwind after work are cleaning, working in the yard, walking, and reading a variety of different books.
STUDENTS AND COWORKERS WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW THAT YOU ... – ... lived in Melbourne, Australia as a part of the University of Mount Union’s study abroad program for a half a year. While studying abroad, some of the highlights from my travels were seeing the Great Barrier Reef (Cairns), the Great Ocean Road, Australia Zoo; Home of The Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin (Beerwah), and the Sydney Opera House (Sydney).
WHAT IS ONE RESPONSIBILITY ABOUT YOUR POSITION THAT YOU DIDN'T KNOW EXISTED BEFORE TAKING IT? – One of the responsibilities about my position that I didn’t know existed is realizing my students need to know that I care about them personally and educationally. These are equally important in my classroom. I am proud to be part of a staff that pours time, heart and love into our students.
This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Robertson Kitchen & Bath Difference Maker: Alana Ryan, Alliance Middle
