Ryann Hyer

What do you teach at B’nai Shalom?
I teach Pre-K. I am also the director of the Kids’ Care and Little Star Summer Day Camp programs.

Why do you teach?
I love children. I teach because I have the honor of watching children grow, explore, and enjoy their time with me. I get to experience the simple things in life through their young eyes, things that adults take for granted daily. I feel an obligation to give in some way to the world, and what better way than to educate children!

Why do you teach at B’nai Shalom?
From the moment I stepped into the building, B’nai Shalom has been a loving and positive environment. For the past 11 years, I have felt part of a community that cares for children and is committed to doing what is best for everyone.  I respect and enjoy the rich Jewish culture that I have been part of for so many years.

What do you want students to get from having known you?
I would like each child to feel a sense of belonging and sincere love from having known me. I hope to make each child feel special and part of family here at B’nai Shalom.

What is the most important life lesson students learn in your class?
The most important lesson I want my students to learn is kindness. Each and every day, I make kindness and compassion the underlying thread that runs through each lesson in my classroom.

What is the most important life lesson you have learned from your students?
The children teach me daily to laugh and enjoy every moment. They remind me what is really important in life.

How do you teach to the way a child learns?
Children learn through play! It is the developmentally appropriate approach to learning for young children. By creating an environment in which children can create, explore, and imagine, my classroom becomes a place of learning.

What types of professional development have you completed in the past year?
This past year, I attend the North Carolina Pre-K Teachers Conference. I attended a number of workshops over a two-day period that will assist in classroom management, help create exciting centers in my classroom and better understand the learning process of Pre-K children. I have also done a lot of reading and research to help in my transition from Preschool 3/4 to Pre-K here at B’nai Shalom.

In what ways do you collaborate with other teachers?
Our preschool team works so well together and we are always there for each other with new ideas, creative solutions, and general support. We teach as a team and see the preschool as one large group rather than simply individual classes.