Ryan McCray MAT’25 recently completed teaching at Brown Summer High School (BSHS), a summer enrichment program for students across Rhode Island and parts of Massachusetts. However, this was not Ryan’s first time stepping into the BSHS classroom, as she attended the program as a high school student.

“It really was a full circle moment. Being on the campus and recognizing some of the buildings we used at BSHS when I attended felt like I accomplished a lifelong goal,” Ryan said.

Ryan, who is from nearby Cranston, attended BSHS during the summer between her freshman and sophomore years of high school. She felt that Brown was a big presence in the Rhode Island community, and figured that immersing herself in the environment would help her decide if she wanted to attend in the future.

At BSHS, Ryan studied Social Studies, her favorite subject, and English. As an enthusiastic and motivated learner, she thrived on the one-on-one time with teachers that was not always available in her typical big classes. One of her favorite aspects of her student experience was the use of Socratic Seminars, a teaching method that encourages student discussion rather than teacher lectures. This technique allowed Ryan’s class to grow into a community throughout the program.

“Engaging in discussions with my classmates allowed me to expand my critical thinking skills and cultivate new relationships,” Ryan said. “Everyone felt comfortable sharing their views, perspectives, and opinions.”

Starting in June 2024, Ryan joined the 2025 Master of Arts in Teaching cohort. After a month of preparation, she returned to teach in the BSHS Social Studies classroom. Despite time away, she found the same community-based approach she appreciated as a student.

“A unique characteristic of BSHS that deserves recognition is the culture and community developed within three weeks. Being able to open up to others and take risks in the classroom is such a beautiful experience,” Ryan said. “This year we focused on identity and intersectionality through history and storytelling. To accomplish this students had to tell us about their identities and the problems they have faced in their personal lives. The students felt comfortable sharing vulnerable stories with the class and using their platforms to be the change they want to see.”

Returning to BSHS as a teacher allowed Ryan to progress toward her goal of giving back to Rhode Island.

“I desired a program that combined theory with praxis and would give me the tools necessary to create change in Rhode Island public schools,” Ryan said. “The objectives of the MAT program align with my personal and professional goals as I embark on my career as an educator. The MAT program prepares students to make a difference through education and create an impact in the broader Rhode Island community.”

After completing the summer with BSHS, Ryan is excited to begin her student teaching with the MAT program, the next step in becoming an agent of change in Rhode Island schools.

“Before the program, I knew that I loved to learn and to teach, but I wasn’t sure if it was my calling,” Ryan said. “After this experience, I realized that it is not only my calling but a journey that I hope to continue for decades to come.”