A Tribute to Tom Ryan
Celebrating Tom
After decades of teaching, mentoring, and shaping the Saint David's community, Tom is stepping into a well-earned retirement. This page is a place for the students, families, and colleagues whose lives he's touched to share the stories, memories, and thanks that words at a farewell could never quite hold.
Tributes
For five and one half decades Tom has been the quintessential teacher of boys--highly relational, an expert in his pedagogical field, a seasoned professional in every and all respects, who saw each boy who took his field or entered his classroom for who he is, recognizing in that boy his unique and special gifts, connecting with him and drawing out of him, his very best. We thank you for your extraordinary service to Saint David's School and wish you a joyful, fulfilling retirement.
You have had a profound impact on the Connolly family and we are all eternally grateful. I can remember a specific geography project I did for you 48 years ago - like it was yesterday. You are loved.
Mr. Ryan would not let me, the shyest kid in the class, be afraid of saying what I wanted to say. To this day, I envision him pushing me to speak up when I'm nervous. So grateful for this good man.
Mr. Ryan! Tom! Congrats on retiring! My year in 8 Theta will forever hold a special place in my heart. You're a great teacher and an amazing human. Hugs from San Francisco.
An inspiration of mine since Saint David's, 1982. Your respect and admiration, in the classroom and on the field, is everlasting. A blessing my 2nd grade son gets to know you too.
Our very best wishes on this very special occasion! Good Health & Happiness in all that you do & greatly deserve.
Mr. Ryan: you once called me the most sarcastic kid alive. I said, "There are billions of people alive, but sure, I'm the MOST sarcastic one." You said, "See?" Thank you for always having a retort.
I entered Tom's 6th grade class halfway through the '72-'73 academic year. He made what could have been a difficult experience downright enjoyable. Thanks for all you did for me and for us all.
Tom - Congratulations on such an amazing, impactful career. Here’s to your next stage! I still remember my years working with you at Saint David’s so fondly. Best of luck.
You have been an inspiration to so many with your wisdom, strong Christian values and tremendous character. You taught so many life lessons and made it fun. I remain one of your greatest fans.
Tom, I wish you a retirement characterized by all the placidity and contentment that your Evil Empire fandom has already prepared you for. All the best; congratulations; and keep in touch.
Tom - You have been a pillar to Saint David's, linking generations of families for 6 decades. Your impact on this community will always be present - Thank you for always bringing your fastball for us.
Congratulations Tom on a wonderful teaching career. Thank you for impressing your wisdom on us, and making us better students. May your retirement be just as rewarding as your time at Saint David's.
A gifted communicator who understands the boys on a deep level. Combines incredible empathy with high expectations & accountability - the boys love & respect him & he doesn’t take it for granted.
It's hard to believe that the last active teacher from my years at Saint David's is retiring. Tom was my 5th grade homeroom teacher for 1978-1979. My son, Henry ('12) had Tom for 5th grade, as well.
Best wishes on your retirement. I have been so impressed with the way you lead the boys, connect with them, and give your all to the school and its mission. You will be very missed!
Mr. Ryan was an incredibly caring person. He showed it day to day in and outside of school, no matter where you saw him, with genuine care for others.
Dear Mr. Ryan, Tough to imagine Saint David's without you! Thank you for your thoughtful care of our boys, Logan and Max. Wishing you all good things for your next phase.
It was during Covid that I heard your booming voice coming from a laptop through a closed door. Even with all of those obstacles it caught my attention, and I knew Tucker was in for a real treat!
Thank you for all you have done in your years at Saint David’s. You have helped my son grow intellectually and also become a more confident boy outside of the classroom. Luca just adores you.
Tom - I went on to high school, college, graduate and law school after the 6th grade class with you. After all the many classes and teachers that came after - you and your class remain the best.
Tom - Remember "Name That Tune" in the old locker room, weekend stories, and the NY Times crossword? You were always a good friend. Wishing you a retirement filled with good health, love, and laughter!
Thank you Mr. Ryan for all the years of positive support and encouragement! You were somehow firm yet fun at the same time - exactly what young boys need! Thank you and enjoy your retirement!
Part 2! I couldn't be happier that you were a presence in my life at Saint David's AND a presence in my son's life at Saint David's! We feel very fortunate and we are very grateful. Thank you!
Mr. Ryan has been an inspiration and a pillar of the Saint David’s education. Wishing you the best in retirement and a Yankees World Series win in your honor!
Mr. Ryan… in 1977 you introduced me to geography. It was love at first sight! Since then I’ve had the privilege of visiting every continent and continue to look at maps just for fun. THANK YOU!
Mr. Ryan saw the best in his students and made boys excited to learn. His warmth, humor, and teaching inspired my lifelong love of reading. Thank you for 55 extraordinary years.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom, example, and joy for teaching with Teddy and Peter! We are so very grateful! Wishing you all the best, The Roberts Family
Your teaching, humor, kindness, and compassion is truly a treasure. Thank you for always making us smile. You have forever made an incredible impact on the lives of us all.
GO SOX!
Neil Simon in the library, Comedy Club open mics... Mr. Ryan is seriously funny, but it's funny how the memories he makes are seriously unforgettable. Forever grateful for the lessons of laughter.
Dear Mr. Ryan, you were the highlight of Will and Drew's time at Saint David's. We can't thank you enough. You are an incredible role model. The Froehlich family loves you. Xo
I remember Mr. Ryan's 8th grade class so well! An excellent teacher and mentor for us all. Congrats on your retirement!
Wishing my dear colleague and friend Tom all the best in his retirement years. There are few people who can make the kind of lasting mark on an institution that Tom has. You will be missed!
Aside from teaching me in English class, you were an amazing role model. I’ll never forget your optimism, humor, and unwavering commitment to making anyone you teach a better person. Thank you!
Congratulations Mr. Ryan.
Even though I did not have you for homeroom when I was in 6th grade from 1974-75, I still remember the times you were a substitute teacher and the chapel talks you gave.
Mr. Ryan, Congratulations on 55 incredible years at Saint David’s!!
You classroom was like theater. When you read out loud, even the back row would lean in.The antics we boys served up were relentless, and you put up with all of us! You will forever be gloriously known.
Mr. Ryan, your kindness and welcoming heart meant a lot to me as a little kid from the Bronx at a new school. I always looked forward to you seeing me and saying “Hey you, get off of Mc-LEOD!”.
Tom was always a guiding light for my son and taught him much more about life than anything else. A true gift to the Saint David's community. He will be long remembered and dearly valued forever!
Favorite memory: When Mr. Ryan read the names of the starting lineup when the Price Gym opened!
If ever there was a man who embodied the virtues of a Good Man, it is you Tom! The boys of Saint David's have been blessed to have you in the classrooms, in the hallways, in the gym and in their lives.
As former StatenIsl, your dedication is Amazing. Thanks for your impact on boys, parents and co-workers. You are an inspiration to all! Rosanna, Gabriele and I wish you all the best and a big THANK YOU!
Mr. Ryan, congratulations on a remarkable career of service and dedication to Saint David’s!
Thank you for your years of wisdom humor & dedication to SD. Your impact on this community will be felt for generations. Wishing you a joyful and well-earned retirement filled with NYY & coaching wins.
Nothing can beat the Tom Ryan greeting in the lobby most mornings before school! He is a positive light throughout the building and will truly be missed! Nobody deserves retirement the way Tom does!
I want to thank Tom Ryan for sharing copies of his 8th grade curriculum books with a mom who had only asked for the book list. Thank you for inspiring me to read well! Congratulations!
From student to parent, Mr. Ryan has been a constant at SDS, embodying its best qualities: academics, arts (Superman!), giving back and shaping good men through friendship and mentorship (and humor!)
Thank you for your wisdom, patience, and unwavering belief in generations of boys. You taught character as much as lessons, and your impact will be carried for life. Enjoy retirement!
It was always fun to play trivia with you during break and read the jokes on your calendar. I still use some of them today. I hope everything goes well with retirement.
To the BEST mentor ever: thank you for all your encouragement throughout my time as the Upper School librarian and school archivist. You are one-of-a-kind. God Bless!
Mr. Ryan, Wishing you all the best in retirement. Hot Stove was a fundamental part of my Saint David's experience and I will always cherish those memories. Go Yankees!
To Tom Ryan: My 8th grade teacher, softball coach of Ryan’s Raiders, summer Knock Hockey rival, and Hot Stove creator. A mentor for 30 years and the reason I teach. Happy retirement! Go Yankees!
You are the GOAT! Thank you for touching and transforming so many lives! You have created thousands of good men! Wishing you the most wonderful retirement! With love and thanks, The Burgess Family
Mr. Ryan is my favorite teacher of all time. His personality is so unique and he has such a passion for teaching that it was hard not to stay engaged when he spoke. I loved being a part of Hot Stove!
Thank you Mr. Ryan for creating such an incredible environment where passion and enthusiasm for whatever interested you was welcomed and celebrated. Go Yankees and enjoy retirement!
Dear Mr. Ryan, You've helped shape a couple of generations of young men. Wishing you fun and joy in your well deserved retirement!
Fondest regards,
I’m grateful for so much of your teachings, especially making Of Mice & Men unforgettable. Your lessons taught far more than literature; they shaped how I read, think, & understand the world. Congrats!
Dear Mr. Ryan,
Thank you so much for sharing your love for Shakespeare with us. It made Romeo and Juliet so much more interesting and engaging.
Wish I could be there to celebrate with you. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement!!
Your English class will remain my favorite educational experience in my life. From Romeo and Juliet to The Count of Monte Cristo, I learned things that have shaped me into the man I am today! Thank you.
I couldn't ask for a better Birthday buddy than Tom. Rough day with the boys? A visit to the 8 theta homeroom could cure that. You could depend on a retro soundtrack, a great joke, and some trivia.
Congratulations, Tom! You embody Saint David’s aspirations for its students. You are a good man, great teacher, and friend who has inspired thousands of boys and scores of teachers.
A gracious gentleman and a "Yankee Baseball Historian" who can also name all of the mascots for every college team! I am proud to have been his colleague and I wish him the best in his retirement!
Mr. Ryan, Where do I start? From our class reading of The Count of Monte Cristo to handing out oreos in your class during commons, you always found a way to make everyone's day a bit brighter.
Felicidades mi amigo! Thank you for being the best faculty evaluator I could have ever asked for. What a privilege it was to work & grow by your side. Celebrating you today and always. Un abrazo grande!
If only the Yankees had as many championships as the number of times you have read The Count of Monte Cristo. Congratulations on a historic career and a very well deserved retirement!
Every morning, Mr. Ryan and I talk about sports. Whether it's basketball, football or baseball, it's always fun to debate current sports events. Even though he's a Yankee fan, he's the best!
He is the best Teacher I have ever had.
You left a positive, indelible memory on my son, Martin Murphy '98. He still recalls the many ways you were a great, imaginative, innovative, fun and encouraging teacher. Enjoy a well-deserved retirement!
Congratulations on your upcoming retirement and wishing you much happiness and many new adventures in the exciting days ahead. Thank you for all you have done for our Saint David’s boys, especially our son Aidan. “A teacher never really retires as their work lives on in the hearts of their students.”
Mr. Ryan, you have been my favorite English teacher I have ever had. You always made English class funny and made me laugh. Even though it didn’t seem like it, you made the Count interesting to me.
Through creating a strong rationale for learning and hanging something out there worth aspiring to, you are one heckofa teacher Tom Ryan. THANK YOU!
Congratulations, Tom! Saint David's was lucky to have you as a master teacher all these years. You were always a supportive and kind colleague. Best Christmas sing-a-long master of ceremonies ever!
The memories you made for all of us during your time at Saint David's easily surpass the number of pages in 'the Count'! Your devotion to the school and the boys has always been front and center!
You have put your stamp on our son and so many generations! We are forever grateful!
Witty, kind, generous. One of the greats. I was lucky enough to enjoy the privilege of having you as a teacher. Wishing you the best in retirement.
There are teachers who teach a subject, and rare few who teach you to think differently. Mr. Ryan didn't just teach great stories: he lived them, and so did we. With gratitude, Gavin Touhy and Family
Thank you! And all the best. I still remember your geography project-learning major facts about cities in the US. Fact: Grand Rapids, MI was the first city to put fluoride in the drinking water!
Dear Tom, For 55 years, you have given so much more than lessons — you have given wisdom, encouragement, kindness, and inspiration. The impact you made on AJ will stay with him for a lifetime.
You have guided us towards intellectual curiosity and enlightened lifelong appreciation for literature. That is matched with an uncanny ability to cultivate good young men. God Bless, Mr. Ryan!
Dear Mr. Ryan, Congratulations on an amazing 55-year run at Saint David's. Truly the GOAT. Your love of baseball and literature made 8th grade unforgettable! Thank you.
Mr. Ryan is one of the many teachers at Saint David’s that changed my life. His wisdom made me a stronger writer. I will never forget getting lost in The Count of Monte Cristo or reciting The Raven.
Congratulations on an incredible career, Mr. Ryan. Thank you for the lasting impact you had on Saint David's and on every one of your students. Enjoy this well-deserved milestone!
Thank you for being my teacher, colleague, mentor, & friend. Out of so many shared moments, thank you most for our time in "Canticle" and for allowing me to be the "Dazzle" to your "Razzle."
Thank you for being the first person that wasn't my parents to call me a writer.
Tom, thank you for dedicating your career to the Saint David's boys. You have touched each and every one of them with your wit and wisdom. You are a legend in your own time. xx The Klopps
Mr. Ryan embodies Saint David's at its best – caring for the whole person. I remember him as much outside class as in it - Shakespeare, baseball, the Food Drive. So fortunate to have been his student!
Sending you so much love and appreciation for all that you gave my boys, Charlie and Jack, during their time at Saint David's! Hard to imagine Saint David's without you being there!
Mr. Ryan, Thank you for being such an influential and kind teacher during my time at Saint David's. I will always remember how your leadership made being an 8th grader at Saint David's special.
You were a true gift to our family. Mr. Ryan will always be synonymous with Saint David's. Keep on hot stove-in' it, Tom! Love, Jim, Leslie and Angus Craige
Tom Ryan, thank you for your 55 years of service to Saint David’s. You will remain in our hearts forever. Cheers to the GOAT!
It has been a pleasure getting to know you. I will miss our conversations about thrilling TV shows & baseball. Congratulations on an outstanding career, and I wish you a fulfilling retirement. Cheers!
Tom, you're the best colleague anyone could have. Your good spirits, humor, and sanity have meant so much to me. I'm sure going to miss our chats about 8th grade life. Thanks and enjoy what's next!
Despite the countless number of students Mr. Ryan has taught, he finds a way to truly connect with each of them. He changed the trajectory of my education and created my love of reading. Thank you!
Thank you for being such a big part of what made Saint David’s so special!
Wishing you the best for your retirement, Mr. Ryan! Thanks for all you have done for Saint David's. Being in your class was a wonderful time, and I really appreciate the enthusiasm you brought to 8Pi!
Dear Mr. Ryan, although you have only been my English teacher for this past year, your class is by far my favorite of all the English classes. It’s a shame I’ll never have you as a homeroom teacher.
The sports card Chapel talk was the best ever, I will always remember it!
On behalf of the Neary family, thank you for your years of service and all you have done for our boys. God bless.
Mr. Ryan’s 8th Grade homeroom was one of my all-time favorite years at Saint David’s. Thank you Mr. Ryan, we are all so grateful to have had the incredible opportunity to learn from you!
I was fortunate to spend my 8th grade year in Mr. Ryan’s homeroom. His room had been changed due to the renovation, yet he was able to make it one of the most formative years of my life. Thank you!
Friday pow-wows were easily my favorite part of 5th grade, and made getting to the end of each week that much more enjoyable. Thank you for everything Mr. Ryan!
Mr. Ryan has meant so much to me in terms of my development as a person overall. In particular, he really taught me how to enjoy writing essays and how I could be creative and express myself that way.
You have had a profound impact on our lives. Thank you for pushing me to be my best. Congratulations on an incredible 55 years! Enjoy your retirement, the Yankees would be lucky to have you.
Congrats, Mr. Ryan! I'll always cherish the memories of English and Homeroom. Good luck in a well deserved retirement, 8th grade will surely not be the same without you.
From Hot Stove to The Count of Monte Cristo - thank you for it all, Mr. Ryan.
To Mr. Ryan, Saint David’s own unanimous, first-ballot, Hall of Famer. Your legacy will live on through the thousands of boys that you—as a teacher and role model—have helped to mold into good men.
Dear Mr. Ryan, Thank you for being the adult our boys gravitated towards. Grateful for having you in their lives. Wishing you all the best. Look forward to celebrating Mr. Ryan’s extraordinary tenure.
Mr. Ryan was not only a beloved mentor and teacher of the boys, but also to his fellow faculty, staff and even the parents. Always with a smile and genuine words of encouragement and love. He will certainly be missed, but never forgotten. Enjoy your much-deserved retirement, Mr. Ryan!
Dear Tom, Congratulations and Cheers for a job well done. Saint David's boys were lucky that David Hume knew a good man/teacher when he interviewed you. Thank You and God Bless.
From scholastics to athletics Mr. Ryan gave us the freedom to learn and grow into ourselves before making the leap to high school, instilling confidence, and composure. He made an indelible mark on my life. I wish him great joy and peace in his retirement, with the hope that he knows how many lives he touched.