This school year marks an exciting new chapter for RyAnn VanCleave, who has stepped into the role of principal at J.L. Boren Elementary in Mansfield, Texas. While it’s her first year in the position, VanCleave is far from new to the campus—she served as assistant principal for the past two years and has been an educator for nearly two decades.
“I’m a little bit of everything—excited, nervous, but mostly just honored,” VanCleave said. “We already have so many great things happening here, and I want to keep that momentum going while helping our campus continue to grow.”
A Family Legacy in Education
Teaching is in VanCleave’s DNA. Her mother was a kindergarten teacher who later became an assistant principal, and her father served as a professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Ironically, VanCleave didn’t originally plan to follow in their footsteps. “I went to college determined to be anything but a teacher,” she laughed. She started as a nursing major but quickly realized the career wasn’t for her. “The calling was just too strong. Education is where I was meant to be.”
Over the next 15 years, VanCleave taught special education before becoming an instructional coach, then an assistant principal. Each role prepared her for the leadership position she now holds.
Innovating for Student Success
One of VanCleave’s biggest initiatives this year is bringing daily Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to Boren Elementary’s third and fourth-grade teams—something that has been a regular part of secondary campuses in her district but rare in elementary schools.
Through a new pilot program, teachers will have dedicated time each day to analyze student progress, collaborate on strategies, and adjust instruction more frequently. “It’s about catching student needs earlier—before we get to a big unit test,” VanCleave explained. “We can regroup students week-to-week based on what they need right now.”
The change required campus-wide cooperation, with enrichment teachers and office staff taking on new responsibilities to make the schedule work. “I was nervous about the shift, but our team has embraced it,” she said. “It’s taken all of us to make it happen, and I’m excited to see the growth it brings.”
A Passion for Growth—In Every Form
For VanCleave, success isn’t measured solely by test scores. One of her most cherished memories from last year came from a nonverbal student in a special education classroom.
“Every day, we said hello to him as he walked in,” she recalled. “One morning in May, he looked at us and said, ‘Hi.’ That was the first word we’d heard him say. Two weeks later, he started naming letters. Moments like that—whether academic, social, or emotional—are why I do this work.”
Building Relationships Beyond the Classroom
Boren Elementary serves a diverse community, with both affluent families and students with significant needs. VanCleave values building strong relationships with all parents, sometimes even providing mentorship and resources to help them support their children at home.
“I see myself as a partner to families,” she said. “It’s not just about helping the students, but coming alongside parents as well. That’s the children’s pastor in me coming out.”
Looking Ahead
As the new school year begins, VanCleave’s focus is clear: maintain the school’s high standards while fostering an environment where every child—and every teacher—can thrive.
“Every child can learn,” she said. “It might look different for each one, but they all matter. And when you pour into them like they matter, you’ll be amazed at what they can do.”
