HSTA welcomes new UniServ Director for Kauai, Waipahu Complex

The Hawaii State Teachers Association welcomes Judy Ryan, a former Kauai public school teacher who stepped into the role of HSTA UniServ Director for Kauai/Waipahu Complex on Jan. 5.

Ryan, who is originally from Naples, Florida, has a strong background in labor relations after starting at Collier County Education Association at age 19 as a secretary and moving up to work as a membership manager, accounts manager, and executive assistant to the executive director.

“It was a very small office with only four staff members to serve our nearly 4,000 members,” Ryan recalled.

One of her proudest moments at the association was helping to organize a large rally outside of Collier County Public Schools when school board members were looking to pass a 1% bonus for teachers. The union opposed the plan, arguing that a small lump sum would not be enough to support overworked, underpaid educators.

“There were families down there and children holding the signs,” she said. “There were past teachers and retired teachers down there because the 1% bonus was like a slap in the face. We wanted what the teachers rightfully deserved,” she said, noting the teachers eventually received more than the small bonus originally proposed.

Ryan moved to Kauai in 2014 with her husband, who grew up on Maui. She worked for one year at a Head Start program, then at Kekaha and Eleele Elementary schools before moving to the state of Hawaii Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL) teaching pre-K until this January.

Ryan holds a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Hodges University and is working concurrently on her MBA from Hodges University and a master’s in early childhood curriculum studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Ryan decided to return to union work after realizing that “so many violations are happening” in regards to the contract. She was previously Head Faculty Representative and an Association Policy Committee (APC) chair at Eleele Elementary. She felt strongly about helping others by sharing her knowledge.

Of representing Hawaii’s public school teachers, Ryan said “it’s important to people to be heard,” and wants teachers to feel that they are supported, loved, and cared about.

Ryan, who lives in Eleele on the southern coast of Kauai, looks forward to supporting members on the island, as well as members in Waipahu on the island of Oahu.

When she’s not working, Ryan enjoys spending time with her family, camping, crafting, knitting, and going to the beach.