Mr. Ryan wins the Golden Apple Award!

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Victoria Winter, Managing Editor

On September 21, 2016 Mr. Ryan was awarded the NBC TurnTo10’s Golden Apple Award.

The Golden Apple Award is granted to nominated teachers who are recognized for their above and beyond work inside the classroom. Nominated by Robert Insana from the Class of 2016, Ryan was presented his award during spirit week by Rhode Island’s Commissioner of Education Dan Wagner.

Dressed for Neon Day, Ms. Marsland, with help from others, convinced Mr. Ryan to change out of his bright attire of basketball shorts, knee socks, and neon shirt in a somewhat more appropriate attire to receive his award. Surprised by Patrice Wood, Mayor Charles Lombardi, Superintendent Melinda Smith, the Commissioner of Education Dan Wagner, a team of cameras from TurnTo10, faculty and staff, his mother, and many others, Mr. Ryan received the award while in the middle of one of his sophomore classes.

In his nomination letter, Insana wrote about Mr. Ryan’s humanity, willingness to learn from the students, ability to look past grades when determining one’s potential, and much more when detailing his wonderful qualities as a teacher.

With the award, he was given a Golden Apple trophy as well as a grant from Hasbro for 250 dollars to go toward class supplies. Prior to this, Mr. Ryan received the New England Association of Teachers of English’s Most Promising Teacher of the Year Award in 2012 and the Mary Alice Grellner Award for Excellence in Secondary Education from Rhode Island College.

Mr. Ryan has actually acquired an allergy to apples and finds it very ironic that the award is based on them saying, “I used to be a big fan of Dutch apple pie but at this point in my life, I rarely eat apples. It is extremely ironic…if I had received a lifetime supply of apples I would have been really bummed but since it is just a fake gold apple that sits on my mantle I am pretty content.”

If you would like to view TurnTo10’s video on Mr. Ryan’s award go to: http://turnto10.com/station/golden-apple/golden-apple-jason-ryan

Congratulations to Mr. Ryan!