Meet one of our newest additions to the OMHS Staff Community

Mr. Ryan Looper, who, even though is a new teacher this year, is not an entirely new face at Oakland Mills. Mr. Looper recently attended OM, graduating in the class of 2019. While at OM, Mr. Looper participated in many extracurriculars, including the baseball and basketball teams. After he graduated from OM, he went on to pursue supply chain management at The University of Maryland. After graduating, he had a realization that he wanted to help people and believed that being a teacher would help affect people’s lives in a positive way.

Even though teaching isn’t exactly where Mr. Looper saw his career ending up, he is incredibly passionate about teaching here in the OM community. “I think if you can make it at Oakland Mills, you truly can make it anywhere. I think you can make it because you have way more perspectives, experiences, and knowledge outside of the textbook than you would at any other school in Howard County, or really anywhere,” Looper said. Mr. Looper believes that forming a strong relationship with his students will really help, inside and outside of school. “I’m going to teach you for half the year [since Health is a semester course], but I’m going to be your teacher for four years, or however long you’re here,” he said. 

Outside of school, Mr. Looper coaches youth basketball in the winter. He also does freelancing photography, but his main focus is sports photography. 

While he was growing up, and even now, Mr. Looper did his best to be like his dad. Mr. Looper has always seen his father as selfless, helpful, and encouraging. Growing up with divorced parents, and living with his dad most of the time, his father had to balance a lot of things, like kids, school, and work. Mr. Looper says, “Assisting others was his priority, instead of being selfish, and making sure that we were in the right spot.” Mr. Looper wants to have that kind of lifestyle, in the sense that he views others’ needs as the highest priority.

Mr. Looper loved going to Oakland Mills, loves teaching here, and still loves living here in the community. “When I was here, it was great to learn about different cultures. A lot of my friends came from different countries, going to dinner at their house, seeing how they celebrate holidays.” Mr. Looper believes that getting to know each and every one of his students is very important. He thinks that when a teacher has relationships with all of their students, it sets both parties up for success. Mr. Looper feels that everyone at OM can be successful with the help of their teachers. Be sure to stop by room 608 to welcome him back to OM!