Attention: You are using an outdated browser, device or you do not have the latest version of JavaScript downloaded and so this website may not work as expected. Please download the latest software or switch device to avoid further issues.

News 2 > Global Teacher Prize - Finalists > 2018 Finalists Global Teacher Prize > Ryan Homan

Ryan Homan

Philippines - San Jose Elementary School, Donsol West District
Ryan Homan - Philippines
Ryan Homan - Philippines

Ryan comes from, and teaches in, a remote rural community in the Philippines. Children used to travel up to two hours from their villages through mountainous paths, crossing rivers and brooks, to get to school. Parents are sometimes unwilling to send their children to school because of the dangerous journey, their own lack of education, and sometimes because they need their children to work to supplement the family income. Despite that, Ryan has succeeded in encouraging children to attend, learn and go on to high school and even college.

At the start of Ryan’s teaching career he reopened a school in a remote village and was the first and only teacher there, handling four classes, as a volunteer teacher. After a year he was given permanent teacher status and more members of staff were recruited. In his next school he once again had many challenges including limited resources, but with support from the local community, and eventually his congresswoman, he managed to get funding for a new school building.

His dream is to make every child a reader. With help from his community and many parent volunteers he has launched many innovative initiatives to promote reading in impoverished communities. His floating library uses rafts and motorised boats to reach out-of-school youths and children who are seasonal workers, living close to the river. His pushcart library goes round the village after school. He has also trained mothers to help teachers and older siblings to teach their little brothers and sisters.

Similar stories

Željana Radojičić-Lukić - Serbia

Serbia - Primary School "Milan Rakić", Mionica More...

Xuxo Ruiz Dominquez - Spain

Spain - Ceip San Sebastian More...

Wilbur Klein - Australia

Australia - Tjuntjuntjara Remote Community School More...

Wendy Horn - South Africa

South Africa - Protea Heights Academy More...

Tuesday Humby - UK

UK - Ormiston Chadwick More...

Most read

This website is powered by
ToucanTech