Ryan Payne
History
Mentor Teacher
I am very excited to continue teaching NWC+ students World History, U.S. History, and Government & Economics, a position I have held since August 2020.
I was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where I spent most of my days on the ice as a youth hockey player. Once my dream of making the big leagues faded, I shifted my career focus to another passion of mine: education. I had previously worked with children as an overnight camp counselor for eight summers, and coached hockey, baseball, and tennis squads, so pursuing a teaching career was an easy decision. I graduated from Teacher’s College in 2014, and have since been educating students from 5th to 12th grade in England, Canada, and the United States. Having finally settled in Los Angeles, I enjoy exploring the outdoors, trying new restaurants, and spending time with my family.
As a history teacher, I emphasize that it is a “story” we are learning about, one that is still being written, and one that we are all living in. By building context through diverse primary and secondary sources, students are able to place themselves in different historical eras, form their own opinions on complex topics, and make connections to contemporary issues. Students are encouraged to ask questions, think critically, and challenge established norms to further their understanding and mastery of the course content.