Ronald Schryer Memorial

Ron Schryer was a teacher’s teacher. In his memory, Ron’s family and friends have established this scholarship to assist a deserving student who, we believe, will exemplify the standards that he set for himself.

As one of OCC’s earliest students, he went on to a distinguished teaching career that concluded with 18 years back at OCC. During his long career, he taught at every level from elementary school to graduate education. Even in retirement he remained active in his efforts to make Coast a better place for students.

Ron understood the importance of all three pillars of excellence in the profession. First, he was a master in the classroom, giving unlimited energy to insuring that his students would be successful. He was a true innovator, among the earliest at OCC to experiment with modern student-centered instruction as far as 40 years ago. Second, he understood the importance of learning acquired through co curricular activities and fully supported a wide variety of activities from music and theater to athletics to student government programs. Third, he embraced professional involvement beyond the classroom. He was a founding member of the Trabuco Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa; a founding board member of the OCC Emeritus Institute; and a frequent participant and presenter at professional conferences at the local, state and national levels. He was part of the team that wrote the most widely used K-12 math series ever published.

Beyond all that, Ron was a man of character and leadership, a man whose word was his bond, and who would have done anything to help a student, colleague, friend or family member. This was clear, even in his last days, as former students and friends came to visit and say goodbye. He will be missed.