Ryan James supports Carolina Day as the Technology Coordinator/Digital Facilitator and has been with CDS since 2020. Previously he served as the Upper School Math and STEM Teacher, and continues to teach an AP computer science class.

Ryan has been teaching since 2009 and has taught various levels of mathematics and computer science including multiple AP courses. Ryan has spent his summers training teachers to teach AP courses as well as grade the AP exams. He has two children and enjoys spending much of his free time outdoors.

Get to know Ryan James:

What interesting background, training, etc. do you bring to your position?
"My background is definitely not a straight path, and I use it to help mentor students into finding what they are passionate about. When I graduated high school, I majored in Music Business and worked in Nashville for recording studios for a few years before moving to Birmingham where I started an Electrical Engineering degree. That too changed as I switched over to the Mathematics department. Over the years of teaching math, I was asked to teach Computer Science where I created CS programs in 2 different schools before making my way to CDS. I feel that with my various backgrounds in STEM, it helps bring a different perspective to each class I teach."

How would you describe your classroom?
"I would describe my classroom as students first. I always make an attempt to set the environment up to focus on student learning and growth and not to be centered on myself. The classes are all about students and I try to make an intentional approach to this."

What personal passion brings balance to your life?
"My passion for the outdoors definitely brings balance. I've been trail running for the past seven years and bouldering for the past two years. Both of these activities are my meditation and use them to regulate my balance and give myself some perspective. I really encourage all of my students to find a passion in life and keep at it."