Currently serves as assistant principal at Western Middle School for the Arts
By Juliann Morris
January 13, 2023–During his time in the Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Emerging Leaders Cohort, Clay Ryan said he got a first-hand look at Crosby Middle School’s strong academic and cultural foundation bolstered by the school’s outgoing principal, Dr. Kara Ammerman.
Ryan, who has served as an assistant principal at Western Middle School for the Arts since 2021, said he is excited to make his own mark on Crosby’s legacy when he becomes principal on January 17, 2023.
“Crosby has a strong group of teachers who are already moving students, and I look forward to leading and continuing to grow those programs,” Ryan said. “I’m blessed to have the opportunity to continue to lead middle schoolers and hone that passion for what I do.”
Ryan has spent his entire 13-year educational career at JCPS. Prior to becoming an assistant principal, he worked as a student relations specialist and case manager in the Office of Student Relations, a biology teacher at Waggener High School, and a science teacher at the former Myers Middle School.
Dr. Rob Fulk, assistant superintendent of middle schools, called Ryan a strong, equity-centered leader who focuses his work on student success.
“Mr. Ryan comes to Crosby from Western Middle School for the Arts, where he has been a strong assistant principal, and he is ready for the next step of leadership,” Fulk said. “In the interview series for Crosby, he demonstrated his commitment to the school, and I am excited to see his leadership in action.”
Ryan earned a Rank 1 in educational leadership and Masters of Arts in education from the University of the Cumberlands. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in secondary education, life science from Indiana University Southeast.
Crosby Middle School’s previous principals have established strong systems designed to help close achievement gaps and push students forward, Ryan said. Ryan has also been long-impressed by the school’s non-academic programs for students–from sports and clubs to other extracurricular activities, he said.
In the short-term, Ryan wants to make sure those systems and programs remain strong. In the long-term, Ryan envisions helping Crosby become a model science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) school that districts across the state look to as a leader.
Ryan is a relationship-focused leader, he said, who looks forward to building strong connections with staff and students from day one.
“For me, it’s all about the relationship piece, and then we dive into the instruction piece,” he said. “I’m excited to create those authentic relationships with students, model that for the adults, empower adults to do the same, and watch students grow from there.”