Spring Branch ISD Featured News

 

A Teacher of the Year finalist in Spring Branch ISD has added another local recognition to his already impressive list of accomplishments.

Spring Woods High’s Ryan Beeler, environmental systems and Advanced Placement environmental science teacher, is this year’s winner of the Guiding Star Award as one of the unsung heroes of public education in the Houston region.

The Guiding Star Award was issued by Parents for Public Schools of Houston (PPSH), a 26-year-old local nonprofit that works with related groups to advance causes deemed to be in the best interest of all children.

Beeler received the Guiding Star Award on Sept. 27 during a special ceremony held by PPSH at Rice University’s Memorial Center Grand Hall.

“I was surprised and honored to receive the award,” Beeler said. “It is truly amazing for me to be honored by a group of parents from Houston that does so much for the entire community.”

PPSH, a volunteer-based group, is run entirely by parents. The organization is proud of its 20-plus years of promoting parent leadership and school accountability in all schools and school districts across Houston.

In addition to being named a Teacher of the Year finalist in SBISD, Beeler is well known inside the district for a compelling talk he delivered about his path to teaching and a few of his favorite early career highlights. 

He spoke in August during district Convocation, where  SBISD employees meet before school begins.

Beeler, a former police officer in Nashville, Tenn., joined Spring Woods High in 2013 as a Teach for America Corps Member. He chose to change careers after tutoring youth in a Nashville after-school program.

During his years at the high school, he led and managed an outdoor camping club, The Woods Project, which has given students summertime experiences in federal and state parks and recreation areas across the nation.

He has also managed the One Goal program at the high school, which included one-on-one and group mentoring with 16 first-generation college students from sophomore year in high school through their freshman year at college this fall.

The interest Beeler sparked in his own students about environmental responsibility, the human ecological “footprint,” and civic engagement led to the creation of Spring Woods “share tables” where uneaten cafeteria food is made available to those who may be hungry or need extra food.

Last year, more than 1,000 pounds of fruit and more than 3,000 unopened drinks were diverted through the program from local landfills to students or local homeless shelters.

Among his other recent honors, Beeler is also the recipient of a 2018 PTA School Bell Award. He is also a Spring Woods High tennis coach.

For details on PPSH, please visit Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PPSHouston/