As the primary faculty member in the English as a second language program, Ryan is charged with giving students the skills to teach English to people who speak any language.
“Teaching English is a pretty complex vocation,” Ryan said. “It’s not predicated on knowing the speaker’s own language but on understanding an array of theory and research from relevant disciplines that play into the language teaching-learning dynamic.”
Ryan said most teaching English as a second language teachers will be in classrooms helping people who speak a variety of languages, so the program is not about teaching students different languages. Some still study other languages but it is not necessary for students because of how many different cultures in which they could be teaching.
Many of Ryan’s TESL students have gone on to very different careers. He named a list of the different occupations they have taken, including teaching at progressive schools, graduate students, K-12 teachers and lawyers.
Ryan has also found that TESL and its sister major, applied linguistics, are “great undergraduate frameworks for speech pathology.”
Ryan attended Union for his undergraduate degree which was a double major in English and communications and minored in Spanish.
“I made a lot of really good friends here (at Union) and met my wife, so it was positively formative in my development as a young adult,” said Ryan. While at Union he made friends that he has managed to keep in contact with after school.
Outside of Union, parenting is Ryan’s primary task. With a 10 and 14-year-old at home Ryan is kept busy when he isn’t teaching or preparing for class.
Ryan and his family are members of First Methodist Church in Jackson where he has helped with Sunday school teaching. The church has been an anchor for his family during their time in Jackson as the body has helped with the children’s growth as well.
Ryan also runs 30 miles every week to stay in shape. He has run a half-marathon and several 5-k races in the area, but is more focused on running for it’s fitness and therapeutic qualities.
“When you’re 46 and married, you have a 14 and 10-year-old, and you have multiple aspects to your career, you have a wonderfully full plate; you don’t have time for a lot of other things,” said Ryan
Looking back on his time thus far at Union Ryan reflected on what makes him the happiest about teaching at Union.
“Consistently my students have brought a level of joy and commitment, ethics and faith to the program that have really bolstered my own professional development as well,” said Ryan. “That is highly motivating, knowing that I am consistently getting new majors to think about the programs in new and innovative ways. It’s the greatest blessing.”
