Charlotte teacher started as a substitute. He got a big surprise in school’s cafeteria
Ryan Henderson is known around Sugar Creek Charter School as a problem-solver and innovator.
He provides safe spaces for students to develop confidence, express their feelings and concerns. Most of all, student JaKhari Wilson says, Henderson puts his maximum effort toward his high school TV broadcasting and journalism classes.
“What makes him so great as a person is how humble and non-judgmental he is,” Wilson, a senior, said. “He will always put himself in others’ shoes, and through all of his well deserved accomplishments he wants to simply be known as Mr. Henderson.”
Henderson now will also be known as the 2023 North Carolina Charter School Teacher of the Year. He received the honor during a surprise assembly in at Sugar Creek’s J. Frank Martin High School campus.
“It was a definite surprise,” Henderson told The Charlotte Observer. “I walked into the cafeteria full of a million faces, my family, board members. I got to stand on that stage and take in all of the hard work that has gone on through the years. It’s truly an honor.”
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction chose Henderson from an initial group of 10 finalists from charter schools across the state. The state narrowed the group to three finalists.
“Mr. Henderson exudes confidence in the use of varied strategies in presenting himself as an excellent communicator,” Sugar Creek Superintendent Cheryl Turner wrote in a nomination letter, “one who has a successful track record in creating strong teacher-parent relationships or connecting with students who require care.”
He’s also known as a stand-up comedian.
“I’ve got my jokes if need be,” he said.
Started as a substitute
Henderson’s began his education career 12 years ago as a substitute teacher in New Jersey. He taught TV broadcasting in New Jersey before moving to North Carolina and starting as a substitute teacher at Sugar Creek Charter School six years ago. Sugar Creek Charter School serves K-12 students and is the oldest operating charter school in Mecklenburg County, according to its website.
The 40-year-old has taught TV broadcasting and journalism in Charlotte for four years.
Students in his classes study current events, interview people outside of the school and record events in the community. They’ve taken field trips to broadcast stations, colleges and universities and organized collections for the homeless.
“The goal for both classes is to document life, inform the school and community and create a wave that will reach the eyes and ears of people that are farthest from our reach,” Henderson said.
He also is in charge of a morning announcement show called Wildcat Daily News that is broadcast to the school five days a week.
“Our school culture has improved and continues to improve daily via the morning announcements,” Henderson said. “Simple public service announcements such as how to properly wear a uniform for each grade level have cut down on the number of violations tremendously. The morning announcements give students clear information on where to go for matters such as counseling services, club sign-ups, health and wellness and field trips.”
Henderson is Philadelphia native and received a bachelor’s degree in communication from Rowan University in New Jersey.
“It’s not about me, it’s about the people who have come before me and the generation coming behind me,” he said. “I’m in a prestigious position as a school teacher (to be able to) see people grow and become adults and be successful.”
Henderson, a husband and father of four children who range in age from preteen to adult, also serves as a mentor to beginning teachers through a teacher support program.
“Teachers, when that child from an impoverished or privileged background comes through your door, your job it to understand the circumstance, meet them where they are and take them to a higher ground,” he said. “They made it to school today. Now it is your time. … We do not do it for a round of applause, we do it because there was somebody who did it for us.”
As the NC Charter Teacher of the Year, Henderson will serve as a spokesperson and representative for teachers and students, according to DPI. Henderson will collaborate with other regional teachers of the year across the state of North Carolina to tackle issues related to education. He will serve as a member of the Charter School Advisory Board and become a voice for educators and students.
This story was originally published January 7, 2023 at 6:00 AM.
