A teacher who helped his student through leukaemia after battling cancer himself has been named Teacher of the Year. Ryan Collard, 30, was diagnosed with stage three testicular cancer in June 2017 - the same year his twin brother was diagnosed with the same disease. He underwent chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant and was declared in remission a year later in 2018.
So when a student at his school, Callie Ragaven, five, was diagnosed with leukaemia, Ryan requested she be put into his class so he could support her. He "went out of his way" to support her - reassuring her and sending her videos of her classmates she wasn't able to meet, and even hand-delivering a party bag. Callie and Ryan.
(Image: SWNS) Teacher of the Year named Kind Ryan, even hand-delivered a party bag to her door so she didn't miss out on treats when she wasn't well enough to attend class at Green Ridge Primary Academy, in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Without Ryan's knowledge, Callie nominated him for Collection Pot's Teacher of the Year award - which he won. Surprised Ryan said: “Teachers are all different and everyone has their own idea of what makes a good teacher.
"My priority is that the children are happy. If they feel safe and are excited to come to school, that’s all I can ask for. "If they are happy and safe, then they will learn.
"To be nominated is extremely overwhelming and has made me feel super proud of myself. "After cancer treatment, it can often feel like you may never achieve your fu.