Ryan Holland comes to Stumptown after a 23-year career as a math and science teacher, first at a large California public school, followed by long stints at top independent schools in the Bay Area and Portland. Given his professional experience, Ryan has helped countless students be better than they thought they could be, whether it is in helping them grasp the critical role that electron configuration plays in so many natural phenomena or as a cross country coach convincing runners that they can always get a little more out of their potential through consistent effort and commitment to the process. 

A graduate in Biological Sciences from Stanford University, Ryan also earned an MS in biochemistry and molecular biology at OHSU. While his academic upbringing focused on the natural sciences and how math is used as the language of rigorous investigation, Ryan is an avid reader and lover of language. His favorite literary figure is Tom Joad, for personal reasons, and his favorite reaction is photosynthesis because of the role it will play in undoing decades of human-caused degradation to our beautiful planet. Ryan’s dream is to be alive when intelligent life is discovered elsewhere in the Universe. 

Ryan’s happy place is backpacking in the High Sierras of California or behind a big bowl of hand-pulled Korean noodles. He is also very content sitting side-by-side with students as they learn how to best fill in the bubbles. But, don’t expect him to share his noodles.