Despite her fear of heights, Susan Ryder, the 2007 Colorado Teacher of the Year, spent an afternoon atop a ladder to paint a message on the wall for her students: “You are the author of your own life story.”
The award for Ryder, a seventh- grade language-arts teacher at Estes Park Middle School, was announced Wednesday by the state Department of Education.
Through her kindness and creative style, Ryder, an avid writer herself, infects her students with the same enthusiasm, students and colleagues say.
“Every day I was of the edge of my seat wanting to know more because she expresses in such a passionate, fun way,” said Caroline Miller, 14, one of Ryder’s former students.
Another former student, Kip Presses, 13, appreciates the way Ryder treats her students like adults as she encourages their individuality.
“She teaches the whole class, but at the same time she addresses each person’s own style and quirks,” he said.
Ryder chooses writing exercises that involve students in the world around them. Her students regularly write letters to newspaper editors and lawmakers.
She has them write poems so they can read them in front of an audience at local readings. Also, she is working to publish a magazine of their work.
“She challenges students to think beyond themselves and their small community,” said school principal Tammy Quist.
Last year after Hurricane Katrina, Ryder, who is from southern Alabama, led the school’s fundraising effort, bringing in $25,000 for the victims. She also collected food donations, school supplies and winter clothing for the few displaced families who wound up in Estes Park.
Quist said Ryder arrives at work early, meets with students during lunch, stays late most days and works all weekend.
“She teaches kids how much power they have in determining who they are and what they can accomplish,” Quist said. “That belief in kids permeates the essence of who she is and everything she does.”
Staff writer Katharine Bernuth can be reached at 303-954-1752 or kbernuth@denverpost.com.
