Teaching is in VanCleave\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Ironically, VanCleave didn\u2019t originally plan to follow in their footsteps. \u201cI went to college determined to be anything but a teacher,\u201d she laughed. She started as a nursing major but quickly realized the career wasn\u2019t for her. \u201cThe calling was just too strong. Education is where I was meant to be.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Innovating for Student Success<\/strong><\/p>\n One of VanCleave\u2019s biggest initiatives this year is bringing daily Professional Learning Communities<\/em> (PLCs) to Boren Elementary\u2019s third and fourth-grade teams\u2014something that has been a regular part of secondary campuses in her district but rare in elementary schools.<\/p>\n Through a new pilot program, teachers will have dedicated time each day to analyze student progress, collaborate on strategies, and adjust instruction more frequently. \u201cIt\u2019s about catching student needs earlier\u2014before we get to a big unit test,\u201d VanCleave explained. \u201cWe can regroup students week-to-week based on what they need right now.\u201d<\/p>\n The change required campus-wide cooperation, with enrichment teachers and office staff taking on new responsibilities to make the schedule work. \u201cI was nervous about the shift, but our team has embraced it,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s taken all of us to make it happen, and I\u2019m excited to see the growth it brings.\u201d<\/p>\n A Passion for Growth\u2014In Every Form<\/strong><\/p>\n For VanCleave, success isn\u2019t measured solely by test scores. One of her most cherished memories from last year came from a nonverbal student in a special education classroom.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery day, we said hello to him as he walked in,\u201d she recalled. \u201cOne morning in May, he looked at us and said, \u2018Hi.\u2019 That was the first word we\u2019d heard him say. Two weeks later, he started naming letters. Moments like that\u2014whether academic, social, or emotional\u2014are why I do this work.\u201d<\/p>\n Building Relationships Beyond the Classroom<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI see myself as a partner to families,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s not just about helping the students, but coming alongside parents as well. That\u2019s the children\u2019s pastor in me coming out.\u201d<\/p>\n Looking Ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n As the new school year begins, VanCleave\u2019s focus is clear: maintain the school\u2019s high standards while fostering an environment where every child\u2014and every teacher\u2014can thrive.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery child can learn,\u201d she said. \u201cIt might look different for each one, but they all matter. And when you pour into them like they matter, you\u2019ll be amazed at what they can do.\u201d<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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\u2019s her first year in the position, VanCleave is far from new to the campus\u2014she served as assistant principal for the past two years and has been an […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":71899,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[640],"tags":[641],"class_list":["post-71882","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-champion","tag-champion"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/trta.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_6802-768x1024.jpg\")