Ryan started teaching in 2006 at Ridgeline Middle School in Yelm. He has helped develop a transformative student leadership program focused on character development and social and emotional learning skills. Data results from the program show significantly lower rates of office referrals and fewer suspensions.
At school, Ryan does a bit of everything. He co-advises ASB, organizes 10-15 school wide assemblies or events each year, produces videos and daily televised morning announcements, plans community service activities, and serves as a member of the governance team.
Ryan also works with other organizations to provide character development skills. He is the Character Development Coach for South Sound Roots Academy, a nonprofit providing high quality athletic and character skill training. He works with the Association of Washington Student Leaders to provide leadership programs for middle level students all over Washington. He also works with local high school and college sports teams and theater groups to provide staff and student athlete trainings. He is an executive board member and presenter for the Washington Activity Coordinators Association. He also edits curriculum for Characterstrong, a character development and SEL curriculum company.
Ryan believes that all people can learn to develop their character and practice unconditional love in their lives. He does his best to model that for the students and staff that he works with every day. He believes deeply in the power of developing our character and continues to serve many of his former students and colleagues long after they leave his school. He is fond of saying relationships matter and even more fond of trying to provide others with the tools to build great relationships in their own lives.
“I remember my first interaction with Mr. Healy,” says student Bria Jackson. “He was telling me that he had heard great things about me, and he encouraged me to join the leadership program. I was over the moon excited, and went home to share the news that the Mr. Healy had told me to join leadership. Looking back on it I realize that it could've been anybody; because I was just anybody, but Mr. Healy saw a kid with potential. Mr. Healy has done the same thing countless times to so many different students. He seeks out potential in any student, because he sees that we all have it. After seeking out the potential, he follows through with meaningful classes that teach much more than just poster making skills and how to put on a good assembly. While they're good skills to have, he teaches his students how to love unconditionally and serve others as well. Those are the skills I will utilize every single day for the rest of my life.”
