NAME:
Susan Ryan
SCHOOL/PHONE #:
Folly Quarter Middle School (410) 313-1506
CLASSES:
6th Grade Geography & World Cultures
CONTACT INFO:
Email-Susan_Ryan@hcpss.org & Online Gradebook-www.Teacherease.com
Currently I live in Catonsville with my wonderful husband Rob, my daughter Ally, and
our Jack Russell dog Riley.
As a kid I thought about becoming an archaeologist and then later maybe a interior designer or a
fashion designer. Who knew? Actually when I was in 4th grade my fourth grade teacher
Mrs. O'Neil kinda gave me the idea that teaching would be good career too.
Away went the fashion plate maker toy I had loved forever and my new
favorite item was.....STAPLES! ok there wasn't one around me at that time,
however the point is I had an obssession with school supplies. Unfortunately
I still do. Actually I think it is a requirement to become a teacher. School
Supply Disease! Help!!!!
In 1997 I received my degree in Elementary Education (1-8) from the
University of Maryland. The funny part is that it was my fourth grade
teacher, who had become a principal, that gave me my first job. At that time
I was teaching 2nd grade at Roger's Heights French Immersion Elementary
School in Prince George's County. I taught the regular curriculum while a
colleague at the school taught the french portion. That was a great experience. I
hate to say I didn't learn any French though.
I taught at that school for 2 years and then moved to Howard County where I
taught for 4 years as a 5th grade teacher and became 5th grade team leader
in that last year. I loved teaching elementary school but wanted to
focus in on Social Studies.
In 2003 Folly Quarter Middle School opened up and I got that opportunity. I
became a 6th grade Social Studies Teacher and am looking forward to my 8th
year here at the school!
I received my Master's of Education degree in Secondary Social Studies
Education in May of 2007 and took a semester off from any additional school for myself.
In January of 2008 I took part in a seminar hosted by the National Consortium for Teaching about
Asia at the University of Maryland. During that seminar I gained additional coursework information
about China and Japan. Additionally I had the opportunity to apply for a grant to go to Japan for 3
weeks.
After returning from Japan in fall of 2008, my 12th year of teaching, I decided to keep myself sharp
and took part in a voluntary program for National Board Certification of Secondary Social Studies
Education that fall. It was a grueling 1 year program which requires a lot analysis of my teaching and
the creation of a portfolio of my teaching to be evaluated by a panel of educators. They would
assess my ability to meet and implement the National Standards of the Social Studies Curriculum. I
completed the program in March of 2009 and....
In 2009, my 13th year, another new milestone for me was the birth of my daughter Ally. She was
was born March 6, 2009. Becoming a mom was another new, exciting, and challenging
experience and still is... Later that fall, I found out I had achieved National Board Certification.YEAH!!!
This will be my 15th year of teaching and I am looking forward to starting a new school year with
you!!!