January 2002

We interviewed Ryan Stattenfield, a student who attended ABC-Stewart School from about 1975 to 1983. He was recently married to a woman named Lori. Ryan enjoyed the independence, the ability to learn at his own pace and the camaraderie throughout the grades in the school. One of his favorite subjects was math, which was also his most challenging subject. Ryan said his other favorite subjects were science and reading.

He still reads a lot of scientific books, both non-fiction and fiction. Ryan felt that his best subject was reading, but he doesn’t remember for sure in which subject he was the best. However, when he entered into middle school he felt that he had a big head start over everyone else. Yes, reading is still an interest to him. Ryan likes to read any type of book. In school, Ryan did not have an A+ average. He had a B to a B+ average. In class, Ryan was praised for his contributions to class.

Ryan’s best memory of school was maturing as he proceeded through the grades. At Stewart Ryan loved to learn. His favorite teachers were Mrs. Mumley, Language Arts, Mrs. Pearl, Science and Culture, Mrs. Scott, Reading. At Stewart Ryan remembers being pushed a lot. He thought of himself as being a smart and nice student. One of Ryan’s friends that he is still in touch with is Ethan Halward. Ethan and Ryan enjoyed playing on the Stewart basketball team and traveling to the other schools to play.

Ryan went to Villanova University in Philadelphia. He majored in chemical engineering. Currently, he teaches at South Lakes High School in Reston, Virginia, for a living so he has developed an appreciation for all the subjects. He says it is hard to say if he dislikes any subject because he is no longer taking classes in a particular subject.

Ryan enjoys teaching because he likes the responsibility and the feeling that he is having a positive impact on a group of kids. He feels that he has been a really great teacher for the past five years. He studied teaching after becoming an engineer, and he loves teaching. He doesn’t know to where it will lead him. Ryan would like to start a family soon with his wife Lori, who is also a teacher, instructs history. Ryan’s mom doesn’t teach any more but for many years, she volunteered as a computer teacher at Stewart.

Ryan’s advice for the youth of today is to just really enjoy the opportunity of going to school Enjoy getting to do everything that you do. Enjoy the cooperation of everyone. Mrs. Carmichael said that Ryan was a very talented student in all areas as well as an aggressive basketball player at Stewart. He was also an excellent hockey player and a water skier. She says that she recalls that Ryan wrote out and typed up all the soccer rules for Stewart recess times and that he excelled in math and history.

UPDATE: Ryan Stattenfield is a dad now.