Taryn Ryan named Fairfield Teacher of the Year

FAIRFIELD — The 2023 Teacher of the Year for the Fairfield Community School District is Washington Elementary School kindergarten teacher Taryn Ryan.

Ryan was named Teacher of the Year during the district’s annual awards ceremony Monday at the Fairfield High School Auditorium, which also coincided with the beginning of Teacher Appreciation Week. Alex Kessel was named the Friend of Education by the Fairfield Community Education Association. First year teachers and retiring teachers were also honored.

District curriculum director Stephanie Mishler announced the Teacher of the Year by revealing details about the person until finally saying their name at the end. She said this year’s recipient has a “heart of gold.”

“If you know them, you know that their heart beats to make sure each and every child feels fully known and loved,” Mishler said. “This year’s recipient intentionally takes time to meet the needs of each and every student who crosses their path. The recipient is the human version of the definition of empathy, love, patience, and compassion.”

Mishler said this year’s recipient has strong communication skills that they use not only with students but also with their peers in the district.

“After almost 19 years of teaching, the 2023 Teacher of the Year is a master in the classroom at being patient,” Mishler said. “She realizes that every student in her classroom has their own unique struggles. The patience she demonstrates with each of her students enriches the relationship she has with them and serves as a model for the students in how they should be patient with others.”

Mishler said the recipient realizes that kindergarten students have “big feelings” and are dealing with more things than just those in the classroom. When Mishler finally revealed the identity of the Teacher of the Year, Taryn Ryan got up from her seat in the auditorium and received hugs from her co-workers before taking the stage to accept her award.

Fairfield High School English teacher Fred Hucke announced Kessel as the Friend of Education, though Kessel was not present for the ceremony.

“This year’s recipient is a graduate of Fairfield Schools and a prominent member of the community,” Hucke said. “He has volunteered many hours as a coach with the philosophy that every child deserves a chance to play, regardless of ability. He and his business are reliable supporters of Trojan Athletics and the Booster Club.”

Hucke said this year’s Friend of Education was instrumental on the board of the Education Foundation in securing around $6,000 in donations to allow for scholarships so that an additional four middle school students were able to go on a trip to Washington, D.C.

“On the community level as well as the personal level, Alex Kessel is a friend to the present as well as the future of education in Fairfield, and therefore deserving of this award of recognition,” Hucke said.

Apart from recognizing Ryan and Kessel, the district honored three retiring teachers Monday: Lori Kayser, who has been an associate at the high school for the past 12 years; Jean Mercer, who has taught at the high school for 18 years; and David Atwood, who came out of retirement to teach eighth-grade math at the middle school for the past two years.

“David really helped us out when we had a difficult time filling the position,” Mishler said. “I think this is his third try at retirement.”

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Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com

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