By Paula Pyzik Scott

Ryan Dunlap, the elementary PE teacher at Bluffton Schools, has been awarded the Ohio School Boards Association's Northwest Region Humanitarian Award. Bluffton School Board member Jeremy Scoles explains, "This prestigious award recognizes individuals who demonstrate the ethics of kindness, benevolence and sympathy in their schools and communities."

The presentation took place at North Baltimore High School on October 8.

NOMINATION LETTER
Ryan exemplifies what it means to serve others with compassion, humility, and a genuine desire to make a positive difference in the lives of those around him. 

As the Bluffton Elementary Physical Education teacher, Ryan has a daily opportunity to influence young lives, and he embraces that responsibility wholeheartedly. His positive, upbeat, caring, and empathetic manner makes him a trusted and respected adult in the lives of his students. He treats every child with kindness and respect, recognizing that each student is unique and may need encouragement, patience, understanding, or simply someone who believes in them. Ryan creates an environment where students feel valued, supported, and capable of success. 

His impact extends far beyond the gymnasium. Ryan is also a trusted colleague who is always willing to support other teachers and staff. He willingly offers his time, encouragement, ideas, and assistance whenever someone needs help. His willingness to serve others without seeking recognition is one of the qualities that makes him such a valuable member of the Bluffton school community. 

Ryan's commitment to serving young people and his community is also evident through the countless ways he gives his time outside of school. His involvement includes: 

• Leading Bible studies for junior high, high school, and college-aged young men. Helping with Faithline. 
• Providing a Sunday morning message once or twice a month at various churches. Helping lead children's church. 
• Serving as a junior high co-chaplain at Lakeside Church Camp. 
• Serving as an assistant coach for elementary boys basketball, baseball, and soccer. Serving as an assistant coach for elementary girls basketball. 
• Officiating high school and college basketball games. 
• Serving on a Community Support Team that has a connection with Youth for Christ. 

Ryan challenged his students to learn about heart health, raise funds for the American Heart Association and earn PE equipment. The financial goal set was $6,000. The amount raised was a whopping $9,629.31. The impetus for the fundraiser was to support a 1st-grade student who had 18 heart surgeries over the short period of her life.

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Ryan is an active participant in the success of Bluffton Elementary School teachers in their winning ways during the 2025 Health Action Council’s Fall Step It Up Challenge. The Bluffton team finished first out of 43 teams statewide, averaging more than 25,000 steps daily and earning $1,500 for the school. The Bluffton team used its winnings to support a bike path at Legacy Park, giving students more opportunities to stay active.

What stands out about Ryan is not simply the number of activities in which he participates, but the heart with which he approaches each one. He consistently invests his time and energy in young people. 

Ryan understands that humanitarian service is not always about one extraordinary act. More often, it is about the cumulative impact of choosing to care for people every day. Through his words, actions, encouragement, and willingness to serve, Ryan has positively influenced countless students, families, colleagues, athletes, and community members. His dedication to children, students, colleagues, churches, athletics, and the broader community is an outstanding example of selfless service
and compassion.