Shawn Ryan has worn many hats throughout his 14 years with Clarkston Community Schools. His latest, deputy superintendent.
‘It is about perspective,? he said. ‘It’s one thing to understand by listening to them, it’s another to understand by doing their job – living their life.?
Ryan began as a substitute and student teacher before hiring in as a science teacher at Clarkston High School for six years.
‘I got a good impression on what it means to be a teacher,? he noted. ‘Being in the classroom and working with the students on that level. It really gives me a sense of understanding of what people think. If a teacher comes to me with their situation, I understand it.?
Before heading the Clarkston Junior High School for the last six years, he was an assistant principal at the high school.
Another role he holds is a parent to four children, two of them at Clarkston Elementary.
‘It’s a completely different role,? he said. ‘You get an idea of what it is like to be a parent, ask questions like any other parent. There is no better way of understanding then sitting around the kitchen table helping my sons with their homework.?
Having that perspective helped as he worked alongside the administrative team to work on budget cut recommendations for the district.
‘We have to find a balance of making the community happy while balancing the budget,? he said. ‘You know in your heart what is right for the kids. It’s personal for me, my kids are coming through Clarkston Elementary and I have two more after them and I know the community and families.?
While he knows the district and state are going through tough times right now he is optimistic about the future.
‘Tough times will pass,? he said. ‘This community and our schools will continue on. If we don’t stay positive and focused on the kids, who will??
Though Ryan officially begins July 1, he is learning the position from current Deputy Superintendent David Reschke and has three goals set on continuing standards already in place.
‘We have a world-class program and I want to continue to make Clarkston a premier school district,? he said for his first goal. ‘I want to make sure students are prepared for the next step.?
He wants to make sure the students continue to be challenged and have a variety of courses to select from to find their niche.
He is also focused on ‘No Child Left Behind.?
‘I want to make sure when we say no kids are left behind, we mean it,? he noted. ‘We ask the questions – what are we doing to make sure that happens, what do we have in terms of programs and support pyramid, what are we doing for the kids that are struggling.?
Another is to add creativity and ingenuity through the budget restraints from the state.
‘We will continue to get people together and problem solve on what we do have rather then what we don’t have,? he said. ‘We will have to keep turning the puzzle piece until we can find our programs improve and we live within the means we have.?
During the April 19 Board of Education meeting, the board voted 4-3 to promote Ryan to take over for David Reschke when he steps down.
Superintendent Al Roberts began the process to fill the position in the fall and the administration hired the consulting firm Hazard, Young and Attea. While looking at candidates he found the best fit already in the district.
Roberts admitted Ryan had stiff competition but he earned the position.
‘He is an exceptional administrator,? Roberts added, listing Ryan’s enthusiasm, skills and student focus were a few attributes keeping him above the competition.
‘His capacity to diversify the strengths of the central office team made him an ideal selection as Deputy Superintendent,? said Roberts. ‘He will help lead this district through these tough economic times to a better future.?
Ryan said he is excited and knows he will have big shoes to fill.
‘I come in following David Reschke, who is huge to me in terms of his quality of work and his character,? he said. ‘To fill those shoes you can’t just step in, you need to grow into that role. I am going to do my best to keep moving our district forward.?
He plans on continuing to be involved – even more so visiting the schools and working with the teachers and principals.
‘I want to be hands on, working with teachers and principals out in the schools and keeping connection with kids,? he said. ‘If I don’t continue to keep touch with kids and the schools, I will lose that perspective.?