Watershed Voice sent out questionnaires to over 30 candidates running for elected school board positions in St. Joseph County and the surrounding area. Leading up to the General Election on November 3, Watershed will publish the questionnaires as it receives them back from the candidates. Ryan D. Cox, a candidate for the Three Rivers Community Schools’ Board of Education, filled out our questionnaire. These are his answers.
Name: Ryan D. Cox
Age: 39
Address: 56256 Buckhorn Road, Three Rivers, MI 49093
Family (optional): Lisa, Aaron, Xander, Madison, Abigail
Background/Bio:
Growing up in the Metro Detroit area, I have been a lifelong Michigan resident. After graduating from John Glenn High School in Westland Michigan, I completed training which certified me as a paramedic. Briefly serving as a firefighter in the city of Farmington Hills, Michigan, I joined the United States Army shortly after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. After two overseas deployments and several years working as a United States Army recruiter for the Reserves, Active Duty, and Officer Candidate School, I retired from the Army and briefly worked in ministry and ministry education, earning an appointment as the site director for The King’s University in Kalamazoo Michigan. Since 2017, I have worked for the State of Michigan with the Department of Health and Human Services in Saint Joseph County.
Does your background include training or work, paid or unpaid, in education? What was that experience? What are some of your successes, and what have been some learning moments?
I have experience instructing OSHA-mandated courses for private industry, and I was also appointed as the site director for The King’s University campus in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Throughout my various experiences teaching, I enjoyed getting to know my students, and finding ways to help them achieve their goals. Specifically, as the site director for The King’s University, I was responsible for site accreditation, class organization, as well as student advisement. What seemed like a daunting responsibility at the outset, became an opportunity to grow along with the students. Approaching every teaching experience as a learning experience has helped me become a better man, both personally and professionally.
Do you now or have you ever had children enrolled in the district where you are running?
Of my four children, my two youngest are currently in the Three Rivers School District. They have both begun to formulate the relationships and experiences which will help shape the rest of their lives, and I am proud they are doing so in Three Rivers.
How else do you currently participate, or have you participated in the past, in school district activities?
My oldest daughter, a sophomore at the high school, plays flute in the marching band, and my wife and I thoroughly enjoy watching her and the other children excel, and before the pandemic, watching the football games was one of the highlights of the week for my family.
How has your school district handled the pandemic in both the spring and fall of this year? If anything, what would you have done differently?
I found myself consistently impressed with the level of attentiveness and the consistency of communication offered by representatives of the district. While I feel it would be unnecessary to say I would have done anything differently, I can ensure all District residents that once elected, I would be involved and intentional with regard to assisting in the continuation of this unprecedented level of professionalism.
Outside of the pandemic, what are currently the most important challenges your school district faces? How do you plan to address those challenges?
Outside of the current difficulties presented to all school districts from the pandemic restrictions, my intention would be to ensure all parents know that they have a representative on the board who is available to hear their thoughts and concerns and would be transparent in the execution of my duties.
Are there other key points of your platform as a candidate for school board? If so, what are they?
The key points of my platform are community involvement, collaboration, and teamwork.
How does running for the school board fit your broader views and ethics?
Especially in political times which have generated so much tension, I believe the antidote to this is our collective pursuit of community cohesion. Each one of us in the Three Rivers School District has the opportunity to come together to foster excellence in our community and provide an education to our children which will catapult them into greater success as they grow and chase their respective dreams.
Why is education important to you?
Education, in one form or another, is the catalyst for igniting our passion. Through every educational endeavor on which I have embarked, I was successful in establishing what would become the next successful chapter of my life. As I look back on these pursuits, I recognize that it was my desire to know more that prevented me losing motivation. It was also the avenue from which I met some of my closest friends and associates. I can only hope for such a beautiful experience for each one of the children in the Three Rivers School district.
Is there anything else the community should know about you?
Ultimately, it is my desire to see all of our children succeed, and for us to grow closer together as a community. I hope you’ll consider voting for me in November, and either way, I am honored to live among you.
