Augusta Prep hires Clements for Head of Upper School for 2022-2023

Mr. Clements replaces Andy Gyves, who has served as the Head of Upper School since the 2016-2017 school year. Mr. Gyves recently accepted the Head of Upper School position at The John Cooper School in The Woodlands, Texas, and will begin July 1.

Mr. Clements, a native of Endwell, N.Y., is married to Jasmine and has two sons, Sammy and Teddy. He is currently serving as Upper School Dean of Students at Tampa Prep in Tampa, Fla. Mr. Clements has served in a variety of roles at Tampa Prep, working as an AP English teacher, Dean of 10th grade students and Track and Field Head Coach from 2013-2019. In 2019, he became the Upper School Dean of Students, overseeing school discipline and student life systems, along with other responsibilities.

"I am so very excited for the opportunity to join the Augusta Prep community!" Mr. Clements said, adding he was impressed with the school during his recent visit. "Being embraced by the students, faculty and staff in such an organic way was inspiring. With this notion and a mere glimpse of the magic that happens at Augusta Prep, we knew this was the right place for our family to call home. We are looking forward to the future bonds we will build as we grow with the Augusta Prep community."

Mr. Clements graduated from the State University of New York, College at Oswego, with a degree in business administration. He worked in the banking industry from 1991 to 2002 before switching careers and becoming a business education teacher in 2003 in Newport News, Va. Two years later, he attended Michigan State University as a graduate student before returning to Newport News to continue work as a business education teacher. In 2008, he moved to Tampa to continue his education career. In five years at Hillsborough County Public Schools, he taught business education, AP English Language and Composition, creative writing, and he also served as the head track and field coach. In July 2013, he moved over to Tampa Prep, which is ranked by Niche.com as one of the top private schools in Florida.

"As one faculty member summed up Ryan: He seems like a natural fit for us. Not only does he have everything we're looking for in an Upper School Head, he also has the business background and the customer service skills needed to grow our school at this crucial time," Augusta Prep Head of School Derrick Willard said.
"It was apparent in reviewing feedback from students, parents, teachers and staff involved in the interview process that Ryan quickly made positive connections and inspired confidence. When calling references, I was struck by this statement from the Tampa Prep Dean of Faculty, 'A combination of his interpersonal skills and a very strong work ethic has advanced a community ethos where people feel valued, rules are clear, communication is prioritized, mistakes are leveraged as learning opportunities, and decisions are transparent.’ "