Updated 10/3/11
|
Ryan Stein'04: "Every day with my students is an
exciting, challenging adventure." |
 |
Stein is more likely to show up for work
wearing a costume than a suit and tie. |
Fourth grade isn't what it used to be.
Elementary-school teacher
Ryan Stein ’04 is more likely to show up for work wearing a costume than a suit and tie. Stein, known for his innovative spin on teaching, is so popular with students that their parents measure time in terms of “Before Mr. Stein” and “After Mr. Stein.” The creative dynamo uses song and dance to teach his Pinchbeck Elementary students, and his unconventional style is turning traditional education on its ear.
Now in his sixth year at Henrico County (Virginia) Schools, Stein is the creator of a software program called History MVP that uses music to encourage critical thinking. Songs such as “Give Me Liberty” and “Eastern World” blend catchy lyrics and energetic tunes that Stein says help students to “assess the events of the past, hypothesize about the future, and back up their opinions with confidence.” History MVP supports Virginia learning standards and is currently in use in more than 300 elementary schools, which is music to Stein’s ears.
“My dream of implementing my teaching tools and philosophy through music and dance has finally come true,” he says. “Each day with my students is an exciting, challenging adventure, and it brings me great pride to see them excel.” Stein’s efforts were lauded this year when he was named one of Henrico’s Top 20 Teachers and when he received the Virginia Lottery’s Super Teacher Award.
To read more Alumni Success stories, click here.Stein was a guest on the October 6, 2011 broadcast of the Rachael Ray Show. Stein won one of five grand prizes in the nationwide "Back to School in Style Makeover."
The contest awarded grand prizes that include a wardrobe from Jones New York and Macy's, a makeover that will be revealed on the Rachael Ray Show, school supplies from Office Max and Adopt-a-Classroom, and cash for the school. Stein, who was nominated for the award by a friend, flew to New York September 18 to tape the show.
Stein’s own educational adventure blossomed when he was a student at Randolph-Macon College. Recruited to play
basketball for the Yellow Jackets, Stein says a
campus visit made him realize that R-MC was the perfect college for him. “The guys on the hoop team were just like me, and the small class sizes were very appealing,” he recalls. He majored in
sociology and minored in elementary
education, and he credits his professors with encouraging him to strive for excellence. “I can’t express how appreciative I am for their guidance,” he says.
When he isn’t teaching, Stein conducts professional development workshops for teachers and college students. In addition, he and fellow alum Patrick Gill ’06 are currently at work on a book titled
The Parent Conference, which teachers can use to create effective learning environments.
The basketball he loved in college has bounced back into Stein’s life, but this time he is coaching rather than playing. He was recently appointed head varsity basketball coach at Glen Allen High School. “I was a varsity assistant basketball coach at Benedictine High School for several years, and the team won two state championships,” says Stein. “I hope to continue that success at Glen Allen.”
Stein stays connected to his alma mater by attending
Homecoming Weekend and basketball banquets. “It's always special to reunite with old friends and the Randolph-Macon family,” he says. “Revisiting a place that was vital to my development is very rewarding.” During the past four years, Stein has conducted technology workshops for R-MC seniors. “Giving back to the education department that encouraged me to become a teacher is truly an honor,” he says.
Given Stein’s creativity, it’s not surprising that his recent marriage proposal to girlfriend Kimberly Mullins was anything by run-of-the-mill. At his family’s farm in Zionsville, Indiana, Stein surprised Mullins by proposing to her on a rainy, cold weekend. “She agreed to go for a quick ride on my grandparents’ golf cart, but I knew I only had about three minutes to propose because of the weather,” says Stein. “So I pulled over and got down on my knee in the mud and asked her to marry me.” Stein says he wanted to propose in Indiana because his grandparents live there. “They define what true love is all about,” he explains. “They have been married almost 60 years. After Kimberly said ‘yes,’ we went back to the house; her family had flown in to surprise her. It was a perfect weekend.”
Ryan Stein:
- Henrico Citizen Top 20 Teachers in Henrico County (2011)
- Pinchbeck Elementary Teacher of the Year (2011)
- Pinchbeck Elementary Henrico 21 Award (2011)
- Virginia Lottery Super Teacher Award (2011)
- Winner of the R.E.B. Award for Teaching Excellence in (2009); Stein used the grant to earn a master’s degree in administration and supervision from Liberty University
- Applicant for National Educational Leader of the Year (2009)
- R.E.B. Award Winner for Teaching Excellence (2008)
- Finalist for Henrico County New Teacher of the Year Award (2005)
- Echo Lake Elementary New Teacher of the Year Award (2005)
- Featured regularly on Channel 99 program, “Teaching in Today’s Classroom”
- Founder of Prime Time Camps, which runs after-school programs and summer camps for students ages 5 - 12
Originally posted 6/21/11