From staff reports

CHAPEL HILL -- The vice principal of Glenwood Elementary School won the 2009 Herman Gatling Award for Outstanding Science Education Leadership in North Carolina, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools announced Monday.

The Gatling Award is awarded to people "who have gone above and beyond the requirements of the workplace and providing outstanding leadership and service to science education at the district, regional and state levels and beyond."

As a classroom teacher, Ryan engaged in curriculum design with the North Carolina Zoo. Ryan designed two web-based, integrated curriculum units that led students through project-based inquiry learning that were used across the state, nation and world.

She also has served as a district director for the N.C. Teacher's Association, and was a director and president of the N.C. Science Leadership Association. She currently serves as the co-facilitator of the N.C. Science Leadership Association Fellows program and is the editor of the organization's newsletter.

Ryan received the award in November.