Gladstone High School teacher Ryan Browning is excited to become the district’s next athletic director, saying he’s grateful for the opportunity to step into this new role.
“I am proud that I will get to help students and athletes better themselves and achieve their goals each and every day. My hope is to maintain and build upon the strong traditions of excellence at GHS both in the classroom and on the field,” he said.
Browning has taught social studies at GHS since 2013, during which time he coached the boys basketball team and served on our Building Leadership Team, participating directly in schoolwide student support initiatives. He sought the opportunity to step up his leadership at the school after Cody Aker (GHS’s AD from 2019-2025) accepted Oregon City High School’s AD position.
Several strong applicants sought GHS’s open AD position, but Browning’s background in both education and athletics — combined with his existing relationships within the GHS community and proven track record of successful program management — made him uniquely qualified for this position.
“What particularly excites me about this opportunity is the chance to expand my impact on student development beyond the classroom and gymnasium,” he said. “My extensive experience at GHS has given me deep insight into our students' needs and school culture, positioning me to implement effective strategies for supporting struggling students while maintaining the excellence of our athletic programs.”
Prior to joining the GHS faculty, Browning worked as a special education instructional assistant in the David Douglas School District and performed retail sales/merchandising for Nike. He has earned a master’s degree in teaching from Concordia University and a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Portland State University.
Browning’s wife, Ashley Browning, is also a GHS teacher. They have five children (three students in GHS schools).