Lyndon Institute welding teacher, Ryan Brill, has been selected as the recipient of the 2023 David J. Dwyer Teacher of the Year Award. The award is voted on by the teachers of LI and honors a teacher who exemplifies the finest qualities found in all great educators.

Ryan Brill, is a graduate of Lyndon Institute’s welding program and brings over 17 years of hands-on welding experience to his students. Prior to joining LI’s faculty, Ryan worked for Pipeliner Local 798 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, North East Precision’s Inc. in St. Johnsbury, and owns his own welding business in St. Johnsbury.

Over the last two and a half years, Ryan has transformed the welding classroom in the True Building and added new equipment to benefit the program and expand student skillset.

Jeremy White, Director of Career and Technical Education at LI commented, “When Ryan came to campus for his interview, we had planned to meet with him for about 45 minutes. 3 hours later…Ryan had described his vision for the welding program and he has followed through on that vision. He has carried the same passion and dedication for the welding program and his students since that day.” In his interview, “he talked a great deal about Larry Kirchoff (his instructor during high school) and how he wanted to build a program that had the same level of student expectations but also provided consistent and positive support to help students succeed,” said White.

Upon assuming the position and the program, Ryan has rebuilt the shop space as one would find it in the professional welding industry. He holds students accountable for cleanliness, orderly storage of equipment and tools, and has assisted many local organizations and community partners with welding needs. After receiving the Teacher of the Year Award, Ryan Brill said, “I'm in total disbelief! I work with so many wonderful teachers here at Lyndon Institute that deserve this award. It didn't occur to me that I'd deserve something like this. This is a tremendous honor and I'm so incredibly grateful.”

Ryan accepted the organization of SkillsUSA competition for the state of Vermont and has both hosted the event and won the event two years in a row. The enrollment in his program has seen tremendous growth and is now at capacity. Additionally, Ryan was invited by the American Welding Society (AWS) to be the keynote speaker to the 20 top welding instructors in the United States selected by AWS at a conference in Miami, Florida. He is also enrolled in the Career and Technical Teacher Preparation program through Vermont Technical College.

Ryan’s colleague and fellow welding instructor, Todd LaPlant, works closely with students and Ryan on a daily basis in the welding shop and says that what makes Ryan a great teacher and peer is how personable he is. “I am proud of Ryan and all that he has accomplished, the students respond well to him, they learn a lot, and I’ve enjoyed our partnership in seeing this program succeed.”

“In the end, I believe Ryan does this for the students,” says White, “his passion has not subsided since the very first day he took over the program. This recognition for the teaching of his craft is well earned and I believe that any student graduating from LI welding program will have an advantage to future college programs or employers as his reputation for excellence continues to grow.”

Ryan resides in St. Johnsbury with his wife and their two children.