Teacher of year finalist 'fits in well'

A sixth-grade teacher at Turkey Creek Middle School got a huge surprise when his wife, school principal and Hillsborough County school district officials visited his classroom Jan. 6.

The gathering was to inform Ryan Kinser and his class that he was a finalist for 2010 Teacher of the Year in Hillsborough County, one of five chosen for that honor out of 14,000 eligible teachers in the system.

"I thought they were here to monitor my advanced reading and language arts class," Kinser said. "What really shocks me is that my wife (Loretta) knew about this for over a week and never said a word about it. I didn't know she could do that."

Turkey Creek Principal Dennis Mayo said the reason for the secrecy was add excitement to the announcement and to give each teacher's students a chance to be in on the surprise.

"It all worked as planned," Mayo said minutes after the announcement. "Ryan is a deserving finalist who does a really good job in the classroom."

"Ryan is a relatively young teacher," Mayo said. "This is his third full year teaching with us. But he has a great rapport with his students, fits in well with the faculty and involves the parents in the process. The students respond well to him in the classroom."

Kinser was chosen Turkey Creek Middle teacher of the year by the school's teaching staff in November. On Dec. 4 he hand-delivered his application for county Teacher of the Year to the school district office. An interview completed by the school officials narrowed the list of those eligible down to five.

Kinser, 29, was born in Chicago but raised in Orlando, graduating from Oakridge High School in 1997. He then attended George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., where he received a bachelor's degree in English, with a major in cultural studies.

Kinser taught in Washington, D.C., for a year as a teaching fellow and moved to Valrico to "escape the cold" while working with WFLA, Channel 8 as a television news producer for about six months.

"An opening at Turkey Creek Middle School came to my attention and I jumped at it," Kinser said. "My passion is teaching and this was a perfect opportunity.

"I absolutely love this school," he said. "I have been stunned by the whole commitment to excellence displayed by the faculty, parents and students. The teachers made me feel right at home since the day I arrived. I was given a very warm welcome and the relationship between us keeps growing."

The Kinsers have three children, a 5-year-old girl and two boys, a 2-year-old and a 5-month-old.

Javier Jimenez, 12, said Kinser was a great teacher.

"He makes class fun by letting us read stories in class that teach us about how to get along with other people, even if they are much different than we are," Javier said.

Michael Chinault, an 11-year-old student in the same class, said Kinser is really cool.

"Mr. Kinser makes each class interesting and exciting," Michael said. "He is one of my favorite teachers. I usually get B or B+ in reading but maybe, if I'm complimentary enough, he will give me an A next time."

Kinser said he has already received a big time compliment by being recognized by his peers at Turkey Creek.

Other finalists for county Teacher of the Year include Crystal Dukes of Freedom High, Emily Marrero of Shore Elementary, Marcy Ringdahl of Alafia Elementary, and Holly Sinclair of Gorrie Elementary.

The winner will be announced Thursday.