Gwynne Ryan: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: Mount ProspectWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Mount Prospect District 57 School Board Age: 41Family: Douglas Ryan, Collin Ryan (3rd Grade)Occupation: TeacherEducation: BA - History and ArtMA - HistoryCivic involvement: Worked with a non-partisan organization, Mikva Challenge, to teach high school students the process of campaigning.Elected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is it?My entire adult life has been dedicated to public education. Now, it is time that I use some of that energy and focus on my community and my role as parent. As a teacher, I understand the significant impact a school board can have on the learning that happens in the classroom. Understanding the federal and state mandates and how they effect our schools and students provides an insight into the changing realities of education today allowing me to ask questions that help us creatively solve some challenges and see opportunities. Understanding how space can be creatively reimagined for teaching 21st century skills takes insight into how education has changed as a result of technology integration, cooperative learning, differentiated instruction and response to intervention (RTI). I have spent a career thinking about these topics and I am motivated to play an active role in helping to develop a cutting edge district for my community. As a parent, I would like to support our students and community by working with our teachers and administration in making the best choices for our schools. As a team, it is my hope, that we can support our schools and students in a way that appreciates and values learning as a joyful, enriching and intellectually challenging. I want our kids to love learning and enjoy going to school. Ultimately, my greatest motivation to maintain the high quality education of our top rated schools for all the children in our community.What do you think about the process for measuring student success in your district? Is it adequate? What changes, if any, do you propose?Both the federal and state governments have specific mandates that measure student success that all schools must follow in order to receive supplemental funds. We must support our schools in meeting those mandates in creative ways that allows for teachers to use their talents beyond standardized testing in developing lessons that measure student progress in engaging ways.Measuring student success is an area that I believe we must respect the professional insight of the teachers who are working with our students each day. I have been very impressed with District 57 and the balance I have seen in gathering a full picture of student success. Based on data, we as a district can help teachers setting goals that are challenging for students while providing support they need to work with students in meet those goals.. As the requirement for teacher evaluation system, teachers are expected to use data to show student growth. This process requires thoughtful time to prepare and implement. As a district, we should support teachers in developing and using reliable measures. These will then allow our teachers to set learning goals for students and information for parents to help their children at home.How big a role do you think the board of education should play in setting the curriculum for students and what ideas do you have for changes to the current curriculum?The board should support a curriculum that will help build a strong foundation for students to be successful in high school and beyond. This requires that we continue to fully support core curriculum in math, language arts, science and social science. One of the best ways we can strengthen our core classes, is to encourage and support teachers through continued professional development that helps build and hone best practices. In addition, I would like to see a continuation of programs building technology skills, such as the coding program offered to students this year. I also support our art, music and foreign language programs as we work to develop well rounded students. We have strong schools. My goal would not be to seek changes in the curriculum, but to ensure that we support the solid work District 57 schools are doing.What budget issues will your district have to confront and what measures do you support to address them? If you believe cuts are necessary, what programs and expenses should be reduced or eliminated? On the income side, do you support any tax or fee increases?Schools are the cornerstone of a good community. They are what draws people to move into a community and to invest in the community. Solid schools help maintain and improve property values leading to greater economic security for the community. It is in everyone's best interest to ensure that our schools remain top rated by maintaining the integrity of our Educational Funds that directly support teaching and learning. I believe we can continue to honor the tradition in District 57 of making responsible fiscal choices while also supporting our schools. To do this requires that we work together as community.What role can and should school choice play in your district? If Congress or the state approves a voucher system or other means giving students broader choices among public and private schools, how will that affect your district? What is the appropriate response for the board of education of a public school system?We have outstanding schools and a community that supports the idea of public education. Public schools have the advantage of an accumulation of knowledge and experience that allows them to provide differentiated and challenging education that meet the needs of all students. As a larger organization, we also have the advantage of providing a more diverse educational experiences. I do not see a voucher system having a huge effect of the schools in District 57.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Candidate did not respond.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Salman Khan, founder of Khan Academy. Creativity in EducationWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Dialogue and the Socratic Method is an important part of decision making.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Wasting time worrying about things I cannot change.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?African American history. It helped me look outside of myself.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Live in the present.