By Debbie Adams
William Byrd Middle School Business and Technology Education teacher Ryan Hutchison has
spent quite a bit of time this semester attending awards ceremonies.
In April he was named as a finalist for the coveted Roanoke County Green Apple Award
recognizing the best teachers in Roanoke County Public Schools. This month he was a finalist
for the elite STEM-H Educator Award (K-12) presented by the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology
Council (RBTC) and celebrated at the annual TechNite on May 8 at the Hotel Roanoke.
RBTC’s annual awards night is highly anticipated within the regional technology community,
and hundreds of local and state leaders gathered to honor this year’s outstanding nominees in
innovation in the region.
was a finalist for the prestigious STEM-H Educator Award presented by the Roanoke-
Blacksburg Technology Council. He is pictured (center) at TechNite on May 8 with (left to right)
Roanoke County Schools CTE Director Jason Suhr, wife Katherine Hutchison (assistant
principal at WBMS), WBMS Principal Evan Noell, and CTE Supervisor Mark Jones. (photo courtesy of Ryan Hutchison)
The RBTC exists to promote the growth of the Roanoke-Blacksburg technology community.
Their vision is for the Roanoke-Blacksburg region to be globally recognized for its innovation,
entrepreneurship, talent assets, and leadership in the region and to become a leading technology
hub in the nation.
One strategic objective of the RBTC is to create an environment for sustainable K-12 programs
that enhance science, technology, engineering, math, and healthcare career choices, and
Hutchison has certainly accomplished that at WBMS.
He came to Roanoke County Public Schools from industry and has become a leading teacher
providing engaging and purposeful lessons to his technology and engineering education students
at William Byrd Middle School. He is truly innovative in his approach to teaching and is the only
Roanoke County Career and Technical Education teacher utilizing a flight simulator to engage
his students in exploring career pathways in aviation.
In addition to teaching, Hutchison has served as head football coach at WBMS, impacting
students in the extra-curricular environment, as well.
“Being nominated by the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council is a tremendous honor,”
Hutchison said. “Such nominations not only acknowledge individual achievements but also serve
as a reminder of the collective impact of technology enthusiasts and professionals in shaping the
future. It’s an opportunity to further engage with peers, exchange ideas, and collaborate on
projects that have the potential to drive meaningful advancements. This nomination fuels
motivation to continue striving for excellence and making meaningful contributions to the ever-
evolving landscape of technology. Congrats to all my fellow nominees and I’m grateful to be one
of you.”
“Ryan’s nomination for the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council K-12 STEM-H Educator
Award is confirmation of what those who know him already recognize, his unwavering passion
to foster curiosity and discovery in his students and create lifelong learners and innovators,” said
Mark Jones, CTE Supervisor for Roanoke County Public Schools. “He makes learning engaging and purposeful and strives to create students who are ‘Opportunity Ready’ which is the mission
of Roanoke County Public Schools.”
“Mr. Hutchison is innovative with technology, full of energy and most importantly invests in his
students in a way that makes them want to learn,” said Roanoke County Schools CTE Director
Jason Suhr. “WBMS students benefit from Mr. Hutchison’s excitement and willingness to push
them to do hard things—like present on stage in a ‘shark tank’ format in front of adults and their
classmates. The way Mr. Hutchison uses technology and personal development to provide
engaging and purposeful instruction to his students is a model for others to emulate. He is a
worthy nominee for the RBTC K-12 STEM-H Educator Award, and he represented Roanoke
County Public Schools in fine fashion at last week’s event.”
“Being nominated was a humbling experience, and to be present at the awards ceremony,
surrounded by talented individuals from our industry, was both inspiring and motivating,”
Hutchison commented. “Jason and Mark’s belief in my work and the acknowledgment it
received means the world to me, and I cannot thank them enough for considering me for this
prestigious honor.”
