This is an honor shared with the teachers who first inspired me in a subject I love, with my inestimable family and colleagues, and with students who allow me to grow with and through them every day. But it is, equally, a challenge to embrace new opportunities for myself and my students, to do more for my profession and state, and to live up to such humbling recognition--to further my calling, as Daniel Boorstin described it: “Education is learning what you didn't even know you didn't know.”

Ryan Bleth Bismarck, ND | 7-12, Science, 2009

The official biography below was current at the time of the award.

Ryan Bleth has taught science for 9 years at Bismarck High School. He has served as the Science Department Chair for the last 5 years. After completing his master’s degree, he eagerly developed a new geosciences course; it averages 80 students each year. Ryan’s passion for creativity and problem solving extends beyond the classroom to his school’s Science Olympiad team, which he has coached for 9 years. He finds great joy in the excitement of students who are engaged by the substantial depth and inquiry science nature of the team. Members of the team can found working for hours after school almost daily, seeking challenging problems and questions and perfecting original designs. Ryan has served as treasurer of the North Dakota Science Teachers Association for 7 years and as co-chair of two State conferences. He twice represented the State at the National Congress on Science Education, working to grow his State Association and explore science education trends at the national level. Ryan has a B.S. in Zoology and a B.S. in Biology Education from North Dakota State University and an M.S. in Geoscience from Mississippi State University. He is certified in chemistry and high school and middle school earth and life sciences.

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