Ryan May is the new assistant principal at UT Elementary School, and for him a good first year won’t be measured in test scores or new initiatives. It comes down to trust.
“A successful first year is just building relationships and becoming ingrained in the community,” May said. “Letting people know that you’re here for them, that you’re a trustworthy, reliable leader who they can go to with things.”
Three weeks in, he is making progress. He knows nearly every staff member by name and is working his way through the school’s 300 students. His short time has been busy. Fifth graders spent this week at outdoor school, other grades left on field trips one day after another, and Spooktacular, which colleagues warn is “the busy one,” arrives Friday.
Inspired by Teachers
May knew before he started college that he wanted to teach. He grew up in Midland, Texas, and attended Greenwood High School, a close-knit campus with about 100 students in his graduating class. A history and government teacher made him “fall in love with history,” and an English teacher pushed him hard academically.
“I was like, I want to do this, to teach,” he said.
May left Midland for Austin, where he attended Austin Community College for a year, then entered The University of Texas at Austin. He double majored in history and Spanish literature and minored in UTeach. After graduating in December 2011, he entered the graduate program at the University of Wisconsin – Madison to earn a Master’s of Science in Curriculum and Instruction. The first snowfall there was more snow than he had seen in his life. “Just a West Texas boy, moving to the Midwest,” he recalled.
A Career Dedicated to Supporting Others
May returned to Austin after completing his master’s degree and began his career in the classroom, teaching seventh grade at Gus Garcia Young Men’s Leadership Academy, an all-boys middle school in Austin ISD. A growing interest in technology moved him into district roles as an instructional and technology coach, and then into work for a principal supervisor. That put administration on his radar, and he earned his principal certification through Lamar University.
He went on to spend two years as a technology coach at Westlake High School. He then served as assistant principal at NYOS (“Not Your Ordinary School”), a K–12 charter school in North Austin, where he worked with about 950 elementary students.
Over time, his philosophy shifted. As a teacher, he focused on engaging young people in critical thinking and critical consciousness. As an administrator, he has embraced servant leadership.
“Knowing how hard it is to be a classroom teacher, especially post-COVID … knowing how to best support both staff and students has become just the most important thing to me,” May said. “Teachers put their hearts and souls into every bit of their classroom, and they deserve leaders who want to grow them and support them, so that they can grow students in the ways that they need to be grown.”
May invests in his own growth too. After earning his principal and superintendent certifications, he began a doctorate at Texas State University this year. He said the program is helping him develop “as a leader and as a scholar.” His long-term goal is to become a principal.
That goal is part of what drew May to UT Elementary. He knew Principal Lara Wilder in Austin ISD, and they admired each other’s work. The smaller campus felt like “the perfect manageable number of students and staff,” and he valued the leadership development and support the school offers.
“We are delighted to welcome Ryan May as our new Assistant Principal at UT Elementary! Ryan brings years of successful leadership experience in curriculum, instruction, and educational technology. His positive attitude, collaborative spirit, and willingness to jump right in have already made him a wonderful addition to our team. We are so happy to have him as part of our UT Elementary family and are excited for what lies ahead,” said Dr. Wilder.
“Being able to surround myself with people who are encouraging and want to help me grow,” May said, “is why I chose a place that really values that.”