In this special love-themed edition for Building the Black Educator Pipeline, we were honored to sit down with Dr. Martin Ryder and his wife, Janet Ryder, at BMEC2022. This powerhouse couple's love carried them through triumphs and battles while Building the Educator Pipeline in Philadelphia for over 3 decades.
Dr. Martin Ryder
A Philadelphia native, Dr. Martin Ryder worked forty-three years on behalf of children and their families. His career included work at all levels of education from high school mathematics teacher to college administrator. His job titles include Rollins College and Norfolk State University department chairman, education administrator, and trainer, Executive Director of the Mid-Atlantic Network of National Teacher Corps, and his final position as the Chief Executive Officer of World Communications Charter School.
Janet Hammond Ryder
In addition to serving as a teacher in the Philadelphia School District, Janet also worked for the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT), PA Federation of Teachers, and finally, The United Way of Southeastern PA and the Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO. In those positions, she held progressively responsible roles including; legal services administrator, political director, and Vice President of Community Services. While serving as a political director she held the distinction of being the first African American and woman to serve as a lobbyist and political director for that union.