James Ryan

Jim Ryan was born and raised west of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Jim attended St. Joseph's Prep before graduating from The Pennsylvania State University with a B.A. in Communication Arts & Sciences. Throughout middle and high school, he was heavily involved with youth ministry and founded an afterschool program sponsored by the Legionaries of Christ. However, it was through the Jesuits at The Prep that Jim felt a calling toward Catholic education.

After graduating from college, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in comedy. Despite learning much, he ultimately decided to leave the industry. He began studying education at Loyola Marymount University. Simultaneously, Jim became the 4th-grade teacher at Holy Spirit School in Mid City, Los Angeles. He graduated with his M.A. in Elementary Education and a Multiple Subject teaching credential. In 2019, when Holy Spirit School became one of the pilot schools for the ADLA's STEM Network, Jim was selected to be the STEM lead teacher of Holy Spirit STEM Academy. Teaching 3rd through 5th grades, he helped oversee data disaggregation and the application of best practices in the STEM classroom.