Australia’s Best Teachers: Ryan Bubner recognised as one of our top educators

Ryan Bubner is the Jimmy Giggle of Hahndorf Primary School, always having a hoot and finding fun ways to teach young students.

Ryan Bubner’s principal describes him as the ‘Jimmy Giggle’ of Hahndorf Primary School, but he is very serious about building a positive and fun learning environment for young minds to grow.

“He just exudes energy. It pours out of him. He’s always smiley, bubbly, bouncy. You can feel it as well as see it,” principal Ngari Boehm said.

“He’s the life of the school and he’s always checking in on kids to make sure they are okay.

“Ryan is a highly motivated teacher and he’s amazingly considered in his planning taking into account the learners he has in his space and knows what will engage them.

“He’s the type of educator that everyone wants for their kids.”

Hahndorf Primary School reception teacher Ryan Bubner with students Oscar, Imogen and Flynn. Picture: Brenton Edwards

For Mr Bubner, teaching is a calling.

“There are new challenges every day and we’re in this day and age when there’s more admin, more red tape and more paperwork, but with great risk comes great reward. And taking on a career like teaching bring pure moments of joy with the kids.

“It’s the whole notion of paying it forward. If you can show some kindness, show some energy and belief, you hope that the kids you instil that in will pass it on to other kids in turn.”

Mr Bubner, 40, dreams of creating a culture within the school community where everyone is willing to have a go, willing to support other people and develop into the best versions of themselves that they can be.

Ryan Bubner says teaching brings him moments of pure joy. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“I want to see people that are willing to make a mistake, willing to fail and get up and have a go again.”

He said he hopes those lessons can extend beyond the four walls of school and out into the community.

“It’s about building that culture of positivity, kindness, caring and willingness to try all those things.”

Mr Bubner, who gained his Masters in teaching at UTSA, has been teaching for a decade after a string of other jobs including childrens’ entertainer on cruise ships. He said those roles helped him to become a positive reception teacher.

“It’s a really good age where the kids are excited about so many things and the little wins create pure moments of joy. Whether it’s being able to write a word for the first time, or being able to count to a certain number or solve a math question. Everting is interesting and exciting.”

Hahndorf Primary School reception teacher Ryan Bubner hopes his students remember their time at school with him as a happy time full of discovery. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Mr Bubner was nominated in Australia’s Best Teachers campaign by Abby Blowes for being “caring, selfless, driven and extremely passionate” in his “dynamic and innovative” teaching approach.

He invites parents and families in to help or on excursions as a way of building community ties and to let his pupils learn from their elders.

“We took the kids out to the local strawberry farm this morning and we got to take some jams. And from that, having a chat with other parents, one of them is going to come in next week and do a workshop with a fruit dehydrator, so we’ll dehydrate fruits.”

He hopes his students look back on their year with him as a time when they felt safe and could discover new things, but most importantly he hopes they feel joy and happiness.

“If that’s how they start their day, a lot of good things can follow from there,” he said.

Meet 50 of Australia’s Best Teachers HERE