Gwen is an inspirational and dynamic mentor and, all in all, an exemplar of educational leadership. Since meeting her in 2012, I have enjoyed watching her serve schools, systems leaders, and entire districts in their pursuit of excellence for all the children they serve.
I look forward to seeing Gwen's reach expand to the board level, and I am confident that she will continue to inspire all who meet her along their path, just as I did many years ago.
She remains a mentor whom I can reach out to at any time for anything, and I am confident she will provide the same relationship and guidance to those whom she serves alongside.
I would like to begin by saying thank you, Mrs. Bryant. I'm not sure you realize just how instrumental you were during my formative years. You are the first educator that I can remember and the one I will never forget. You not only taught me how to read and write, but also how be creative and how to believe in myself. You never put me or any other student in a “box”, so to speak. You guided us find the paths we needed to be on in order to be successful in life. You empowered me with knowledge, confidence, and life skills that I have carried with me throughout my life. And for all of that, I am eternally grateful to you.
You, most assuredly, found your calling in life. Your passion for life and education is beyond measure. I am certain that anyone who has ever been lucky enough to be in your presence feels the same. I am blessed to have been your student and to still be in contact with you after 38 years. You are truly a treasure. I look forward to hearing about what you are set to do next.
Gwen is currently a candidate for the Akron Public Schools School Board. Gwen is most qualified for this position, and she would be a tremendous asset to the Board. Gwen has distinguished herself in the field of education. Her career spans 30 years of dedication, diligence, and excellence. She is extremely familiar with the APS system having been a teacher, school improvement coach, and literacy coach during her career. She is a transformative leader who now consults school districts throughout the country, training and facilitating methods to improve instruction.
I had the privilege of working with Gwen at Simon Perkins Middle School in Akron where I taught for 38 years. Gwen helped our teaching staff to learn innovative methods to improve instruction and learning. Gwen organized workshops and meetings for teachers to work together as a team to improve test scores – and we did! Her knowledge and personalized interest in the teaching staff and students gave us a unified goal: to improve learning and thus, improve test scores. I truly hope Gwen will be able to continue sharing her expertise with APS as a member of its School Board. Again, she would be a tremendous asset.
An Amazing Soul
I’ve known Ms. Bryant for about 38 years. She was my kindergarten teacher at Mason Elementary, in room 100. I remember her being very compassionate, attentive, patient, loving, fun, and more she was everything I needed coming into a school building for the first time.
Ms. Bryant had a huge impact on my life growing up. She set forth the foundation of my learning, and me wanting to achieve goals. She made me love school and learning new things. It was a pleasure walking into her classroom every day.
Ms. Bryant wound be an amazing asset to APS Board. She knows the school system in and out, and she’s a part of its community. Ms. Bryant has worn many hats in educational settings over the years. If she can reach out and have the opportunity to do for others in the APS district like she has done for me it could and would be an amazing thing.
