Welcome to 4th Grade!
Meet the Teachers!
Ryan Lyrek 2021-2022
Ryan.Lyrek@mpls.k12.mn.us
Education:
Elementary Education License (K-6), University of Minnesota
Masters of Education, Elementary Education, University of Minnesota
Responsive Classroom Trained
ENVoY Certified
A bit about me…I grew up in Apple Valley, Minnesota in a family of teachers. My mom teaches 2nd grade, my sister teaches Kindergarten, my Uncle and Aunt have taught in International Schools in Spain, Taiwan and South Africa. My grandpa taught in Minneapolis Public Schools for over 30 years. My wife also works in public education! She is a school counselor in Lakeville, MN.. I love spending quality time with family and friends, usually watching a sporting event. I am a huge basketball fan and grew up playing basketball, baseball, tennis and golf.
I believe in… helping others; trying your best; making learning opportunities engaging and making school an exciting experience each day.
My education journey… I graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2012, with a Masters of Education in Elementary Education. I started teaching in the Minneapolis Public School district in 2013. I began my career teaching 1st grade at Pillsbury Elementary. I have previously taught 1st grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade and 4th grade. I have been teaching third grade at Webster for the past 3 years. This year I will be teaching 4th grade.
Books… When I was in elementary school I loved to read Where the Wild Things Are and anything by Dr. Seuss. My favorite series is the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. The Harry Potter series was monumental in changing me from an at school only reader, to a lifetime reader. I enjoy reading many of my childhood favorite books to my class each year!
Stories to tell… Family trips to Major League Baseball stadiums growing up as a kid; helping start a bike program at a Minneapolis Public School; taking my class to the City of Lakes Ski Loppet and the different concerts and sporting events I love attending!
Joe Praska 2021-2022
joseph.praska@mpls.k12.mn.us
Education:
University of Minnesota, B.A. in Sociology and Urban Studies, 2012
Augsburg University, M.Ed in Elementary Education, 2018
Responsive Classroom Trained
ENVoY Certified
A bit about me… I’m lucky to say that I married my high school sweetheart in 2011! We live together in Minneapolis with our cat, Petra, and our daughter, Lena. I enjoy going to the movies, reading, writing, running, taking yoga classes and often just enjoying an evening in and watching classic episodes of Star Trek or Doctor Who with the family!
I believe in… fostering community, asking questions and making mistakes, encouraging empathy, and cultivating a life-long love of learning.
My education journey… I started my work in education through the Minnesota Reading Corps in 2013. The following year, I transitioned into a job with Minneapolis Public Schools - first as a paraprofessional and then in my own classroom starting in 2015.
Books… My favorite book growing up was an illustrated edition of the Edward Lear poem, The Scroobious Pip, that I got as a gift from my aunt. I also love the Harry Potter series, Madeline L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time, and anything by Kate DiCamillo! As I continue to read more and more, I find I have a soft spot for almost anything sci-fi or fantasy.
Stories to tell… Our trip to Peru in 2011, time spent with Habitat for Humanity in Kenya in 2012, and an impromptu road trip to Louisville, Kentucky to sit in the captain’s chair from the original Star Trek series.
