Every week, we shine a spotlight on one Lincoln Public Schools staff member! This week, meet Lee Ryans, custodian at Scott Middle School.
“Lee, one of our dedicated custodians, embodies the spirit of our school community through his unwavering kindness, infectious smile, and exceptional work ethic.
His dedication to detail is evident in the pristine condition of the rooms he cleans, especially noticeable during summer cleaning checks—they are always spotless. Lee's positive impact extends beyond his cleaning responsibilities. He cultivates wonderful relationships with our students, actively supporting our recycling efforts during lunch by guiding them to use the correct receptacles and promptly emptying them.
Lee is truly adored by the office staff, who consistently praise his amazing work, responsiveness and helpfulness. He is a reliable and constant presence, with exceptional attendance regardless of weather conditions or ongoing projects.” - Jesse Tvrdy, Scott Middle School principal
“Lee Ryan is a cornerstone of our school community, consistently going above and beyond to ensure our environment is both clean and functional. Affectionately known as the ‘locker king,’ Lee is a quiet and flexible problem-solver who can fix almost anything with ease. Whether he is responding to an urgent radio call with his signature "can-do" attitude or patiently mentoring students who want to help out, his dedication is unmatched. Beyond his technical skills, Mr. Ryan’s presence in the hallways is a source of joy; his happy smile and kind demeanor create a welcoming atmosphere for everyone. His patience, positivity, and tireless work ethic make him indispensable, and our school quite simply would not be the same without him.” - Bre Jones, Scott Middle School coordinator
How long have you worked for LPS?
Three and half years.
What inspired you to become part of the education field at LPS?
I was looking for a job that provided job security and good benefits to fill the gap between my last job and retirement and LPS fit the bill.
What has been your favorite part of working here? What aspect of your job do you find most rewarding?
I get to work with amazing people every day.
In one word, what makes you proud to work for LPS?
Teamwork.
Did you attend LPS as a student? If so, which school(s)? If not, where are you from?
Yes, I went to Beattie Elementary School, Irving Middle School, and then Lincoln Southeast High School.
What path did you take after completing your formal education?
I worked 34 years at Lincoln Benefit Life and Allstate doing various roles over the years. When I started, we had less than 100 employees and had a building downtown at the corner of 13th and N streets. We eventually built two buildings near 84th and Van Dorn and had over 1,000 employees until Allstate closed the Lincoln operation and sold the property to Bryan Health, which led me to LPS.
What do you enjoy most about the Lincoln community?
I like that Lincoln is getting to be a larger city, yet I can leave my house and be driving down a gravel road in the country in five minutes. I can remember when it was all farmland where Scott Middle School is now.
What is your favorite childhood book or a book that has influenced your life positively?
Not much of a book reader, but I do enjoy the Alex Cross series by James Patterson
Do you know a LPS staff member we should feature for Staff Spotlight? Fill out this form to nominate them!