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Faculty Spotlight: Mrs. Ryan
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May 5, 2022In her 13th year of teaching at HN, Art Department Chair Mrs. Beth Ryan earned her BA at Ursuline College and her MA at Case Western Reserve University.
Her current courses include Design 1, Design 2, Drawing & Painting, CCP Art Foundations, Ceramics, and Portfolio. In each of these courses, Mrs. Ryan incorporates the latest technology, including Google Classroom, Photoshop, and Adobe Fresco. Asked to describe her favorite lesson, Mrs. Ryan’s answer is unequivocal: “All of them!”
Mrs. Ryan recalls that she has always loved art and grew up in a family that, although not artistic, supported her fully. She says, “I always recognized art as a strength of mine and committed myself to sticking with my strengths, wherever they may lead. I try to instill similar ideas in my classroom through either my support or guidance to my students. I also love the ability to convert the ‘I can't draw’ students into students who find success in being creative.”
Surprisingly, teaching was not always on Mrs. Ryan’s professional radar. After working in the non-profit world for about five years, though, she decided she wanted something different and began exploring art-based careers. This led her to CWRU’s art education program. She describes this as a “life-altering decision” and says, “I owe so much of my success in teaching to the mentors I met in that program.”
Of course, her decision to pursue a career in education led her to another love: HN. She says, “I love teaching at HN because the kids are great. They make every day fun and interesting at the very least!”
Besides teaching, Mrs. Ryan moderates Art Club while also organizing the Red Cross Blood Drive and Cleveland International Film Festival Film Streams.
In her free time, Mrs. Ryan enjoys painting, cooking, playing basketball with her kids, and walking her “dumb” dog.
When advising her students, Mrs. Ryan draws on her own experiences: “Stick with your strengths!”
