Fairfield Manufacturers Association, Grow Fairfield present award to Fairfield’s Teacher of the Year
Taryn Ryan, with friends and family along with Chad Christensen and Josh Laraby
(FAIRFIELD, IOWA) – Grow Fairfield Economic Development Association and the Fairfield Manufacturer’s Association (FMA) presented financial awards to the Fairfield Teacher of the Year at the Educator Appreciation Ceremony held at the Fairfield High School on Monday, May 1. The Druzilla F. Clark Foundation also presented a check to this year’s recipient.
Washington Elementary kindergarten teacher, Taryn Ryan was selected as this year’s teacher of the year. Taryn has been with the Fairfield Community School District as a teacher for 19 years. Prior, she taught for four years in the Mt. Pleasant schools.
When asked how she felt when she heard her name announced as this year’s recipient, Taryn remarked, “It was a complete surprise! I was shocked and didn’t feel worthy of the honor. There are many amazing teachers in our district, and I would have guessed many others before myself. I am so very, very honored.”
Taryn shared that her favorite part of being a teacher is getting a front-row seat in the learning process. “I get to observe students who begin kindergarten unsure of how to write their names and leave kindergarten writing a paragraph. I love the ‘light bulb’ moments. My little learners make me proud every year.”
Taryn comes from a long line of educators. “As a little girl, I loved to play school in my mom’s classroom and always knew I wanted to have my own classroom someday. I can’t picture myself doing anything else,” said Taryn.
Chad Christensen, current President of the Fairfield Manufacturer’s Association, and Josh Laraby, Executive Director of Grow Fairfield presented Ryan with two checks totaling $3,000. In addition, the Druzilla F. Clark Foundation awarded an additional $2,000, for a total award of $5,000 combined.
“The Fairfield Manufacturer’s Association and Grow Fairfield are proud to support the Teacher of the Year program once again. FMA has a long-rooted and deep interest in our schools as we hope that one day after students graduate that they may find their way to our companies and become valued team members. Our teachers are simply the best. The commitment to our young students and the time and effort that they put into their job as educators is incredibly impressive. They don’t typically get the recognition they deserve, so for one day it’s nice to put them up on a pedestal and say thank you.” said Christensen and Laraby.
Funds to support the Teacher of the Year are generated by an Annual Glow Golf fundraiser held in August each year and hosted by the FMA and Grow Fairfield and sponsored by their organization’s members. For details on how to become a sponsor for the Teacher of the Year or participate in the Glow Golf event please visit: (growfairfield.com/golf), or contact Grow Fairfield at (641-472-3436). This year’s event will be held on Friday, August 4th at the Fairfield Golf and Country Club.
