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John Ryan is officially retiring from Mammoth-San Manuel School District and from education.
There is a quote most often attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, “enjoy the journey not the destination”. For the past 16 years, I have had the privilege of working for the students, parents, staff and community of the Mammoth San Manuel Unified School District. On June 13, 2017, I will be retiring and this part of my journey is ending.
First, foremost and most importantly, I need to thank the thousands of students I have known since 2001. As your Principal, Principal/Superintendent and for the past two years as Superintendent, I have been lucky enough to have received the love and respect from the nicest students in the world. Your hugs, handshakes, high fives, smiles, laughter and kind words have made this journey the best journey I could have imagined. Your accomplishments, while you were at school and most importantly post graduation, make me proud. No matter what, each day I could count on one (or more) of you making me smile or laugh. What makes a school is the kids and I was blessed to have known each one of you.
To the many parents I have known all these years. (Some of my students have become the parents!) I thank you for sending me the best kids in the world. I appreciate the fact that you understood that it was just as important to instill life lessons into our children as it was academic lessons. Although, we may not have agreed all of the time, the respect that the parents gave me was an important part of the success we all achieved. Thank you for believing in me. Whether I was right or wrong, I always felt your support.
I cannot even begin to describe the dedicated staff. This community has been blessed to have the most dependable, amazing group of dedicated people who share the mission of taking care of the children. They understood the need to exceed was not just meant for teachers but for all. Dedication is an important factor in any organization and our district oozes with this trait.
Dedication is in 16 years I have only worked for 3 Board presidents and I have served a Governing Board who unselfishly volunteer their time to focus on education. Special thanks to Board Presidents, Bill Romero, Mark Phelps and Terry Newman, your dedication has guided me as a leader . Thank you to all who have served on the board.
Dedication is having only 3 Assistant Principals in my tenure as principal, thank you, Tim Connelly, Alfred Trejo and Julie Dale Scott. Your dedication kept things running and helped me be better as a principal.
Dedication is having a core group of secretaries who stay with you, know your moods and get things done before you ask, thank you Barb Jensen, Yolanda Gonzalez and Mandy Renteria. Your dedication helped me get the job done.
Dedication is having a core group of teachers, aides and counselors who understood that good was not good enough and that great is what you can be! Thank you all teachers who are too many to be named and I would not want to do so in fear that I would leave one name out of t he list. Your dedication, knowledge, resourcefulness and love of children is unmatched. Your dedication made me proud to be your leader!
Dedication is having principals who share the same common goal. Thank you, Julie Dale Scott, Melissa Joliat and Katy Wilkins. Your dedication helps both the staff and children succeed.
Dedication is having the same administrative team that understood a request was actually a demand and that your staff were just as important to the education of our youth. Thank you, David Hogan and the maintenance transportation staff, Mary Adams in finance, Mark Wiseley in special education, Joanna Diaz and the food services staff, Cindy Renteria and the custodial staff, Lisa Armenta and the community schools staff, and thank you to the wonderful staff at district office, Martha, Sylvia, Frances, Rosemary and Judy. Your dedication makes the rest of our jobs easier.
Dedication is having community support. From the businesses who give to the schools and to our Foundation who volunteers to find ways to assist our schools, thank you. Your dedication helps us have the extra things we need to make this a great experience for the children.
Thank you to my family, my son, Isaac [Class of 2013] and my wife Carmen, who understood and put up with the many hours, days and weekends away from home. Love you guys!!
The Mammoth San Manuel Unified District is a special place. I have been able to observe First Avenue Elementary achieve an A+ rating and Title One Distinguished School, the Mammoth STEM has many times dominated the awards at the Southern AZ Science Fairs, your Junior Senior High was the first Junior/Senior High in Arizona to receive an A+ designation and 3 times was named on the US News and World Report list as one of the Best High Schools in America. Accomplishments such as this are earned and community driven! Thank you for letting me share in your success.
Sixteen years ago, I was welcomed into this family with open arms and hearts. Change is at the core of life and it has become time for a change. As I leave, I want you to know that my heart is full of your love and great memories and although I am unsure of the destination I have truly enjoyed this journey with all of you.
Yours in the service of our youth,
/s/ John J. Ryan
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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