Working for the Greater Good a conversation with OAESA Zone 1 Director and Board Member
Rya n M c G ra w by Mary Mitton-Sanchez
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AESA’s Zone 1 Director, Ryan McGraw, has a unique role as principal of Minford Elementary in Minford, Ohio. As a graduate of the district, he knows the culture of the small, rural community. He knows the families, he knows what is important to the people he serves, and he knows how to connect to resources for his school and students. Even though it can sometimes feel like everybody knows everyone and everything, he ultimately knows it’s an advantage. McGraw has been in education for 12 years: six as a teacher, two as a high school assistant principal, and four as the elementary principal. “I taught high school math for six years before I went into administration,” McGraw said. “My wife is an elementary teacher, and
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principal navigator
we had many conversations about what it was like to be in an elementary building. Every building and grade level has challenges, but I enjoy being around kids who enjoy being at school. They’re happy to be there. That’s a great feeling, and it helps motivate me.” McGraw takes pride in the fact that his school culture is one of positivity and care, even though some of his students face serious difficulties at home. “Our kids who face challenges generally love being at school, because our teachers embrace the idea that school is a safe place,” McGraw said. “We try to take care of their basic needs before we try to teach them anything. We do all we can to get them clothes, food, or shoes.” McGraw’s school was featured recently in a
New York Times article entitled, “Inside the Elementary School Where Drug Addiction Sets the Curriculum.” The piece detailed all that McGraw and his staff have done to help students survive, cope, and thrive while serving a community that has been devastated by the opioid crisis. McGraw knew that putting their story out there was a risk, but that it was a story that needed to be told to the world at large. “We’ve received an overwhelming amount of positive response from around the country,” McGraw said. “People say that they appreciate what we’re doing, and they offer support. You can see the reach of social media in this type of case, and it’s important for people to know about it. We will see the effects of this crisis for a long time.”
