Cyrus Weinberger

I can still remember the stinging sensation in my nostrils from the sweet smelling smoke of the burning rice fields. I can hear the shrieks of the monkeys in the trees and the nightly throaty calls of the geckos living in the bathroom behind the water basin. I can remember the water buffalo on the dirt streets of the village and the neatly coiled Malayan Krait Viper in the back corner of the kitchen. I remember the smiles and laughter of my students and their families. But what I remember and cherish most about this experience, is learning what it feels like to make a positive contribution to a community through education. My decision in 1996 to spend 9 months teaching in a rural village in Northern Thailand was the spark that ignited my career in education.

Before teaching in Thailand, I attended Whitman College in Washington State where I played lacrosse, spent a semester in Italy, and graduated with a BA in Philosophy. I began graduate school at Columbia Teachers College in New York City (where I grew up). Shortly thereafter, my love of the outdoors landed me at the University of Northern Colorado where I finished a MA in Elementary Education in 1999. From Greeley I moved to Durango, CO where I taught 4th grade for 6 years at Riverview Elementary. In 2006 I received an Ed.M in School Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. While in Cambridge, MA I had the opportunity to work with the principal of the Fletcher-Maynard Academy (a local public school). Also during this time I worked for Education Matters as an educational consultant evaluating Special Education Programs in Boston schools.

During the summer months I have worked as a fly-fishing guide in Idaho, Wyoming and Colorado. This work along with a passion for fly-fishing has taken me to such far off destinations as New Zealand, Honduras (Roatan), and British Columbia. Working in the fly-fishing industry has also allowed me to explore another one of my passions, photography. My photographs have been published in a variety of fishing magazines including: Fish & Fly, Southwest Fly-fishing, and Fly-fish America. I also enjoy reading, skiing, and mountain biking.

It is with great delight and dedication that I enter the Ryan Elementary community in the fall of 2008. I look forward to getting to know everyone.

Student Challenge: Get to know Mr. Weinberger

A mountain goat in Glacier National Park once saved my life. Write a story about this adventure. The true story will be revealed to those students who choose to write a story of their own.
To hear stories about living in Thailand, research how to say hello in Thai and two other interesting facts about the country. Present this knowledge to me, and I will tell you about my experiences.
Tell me something you would like to share with me about yourself, your family, or Ryan Elementary.

Updated Sep 10, 2008

1405 Centaur Village Drive

Lafayette, CO 80026

Office: 303-665-3345 Fax: 303-665-9859 Attendance: 303-447-5487

www.ryanelementary.org (Map)

Principal: Cyrus Weinberger