Bronwyn Ryan, TAC, High School Earth Science

FACTS: Bronwyn grew up in New York City. After attending the Laguardia High School of the Arts and majoring in Drama/English at Hunter College, she spent “a good chunk of time” pursuing an acting career. She fell into teaching quite by accident when the mother of a close friend asked her to consider helping out at the middle school she directed. Since the director offered a flexible schedule and health insurance, Bronwyn jumped at the chance. After spending six months with the students, Bronwyn was hooked: she knew she had to teach.

“The thing I recognized as I worked at this school is that teachers can and will change students' lives. As an educator, you hold a lot of power to encourage and help students become what they want to become.”

“Though it really pained me to leave the kids and the classroom, I knew that if I came to TEP I would be a better educator and a more informed member of the community and perhaps even a change agent for schools that were lacking in things that I feel are necessary for a successful education.”

THE INSIDE SCOOP: “I have been stunned by the closeness of the community and the willingness of the faculty to do anything to help your time here at Harvard be all that you want it to be.”

“TEP challenges you to dig deep and discover what you really feel the purpose of education is and/or should be. I came in with specific ideas and was amazed to see how hard it is to really define good schooling.”

“Students have wonderful ideas and often come to school and never share what they know because they have no avenue in which to show and share their knowledge. I want to teach so that students will use me as a sounding board, and so that I can guide them to places unexplored and share the newness of learning with them. I love watching and working with excited learners.”