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  1. Home
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  3. Nacy Tai Ryerson
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Nacy Tai Ryerson

Ed.D.
Chief Academic Officer, Founder
Encompass Academy
Country or state 
United States (Missouri)
Available to 
Global
City 
Springfield
Fee 
Ask for pricing
Languages 
English
Volunteer
Yes
Timezone 
America/Indiana/Knox

Personal Details

Bio

Dr. Nacy Tai Ryerson is an educator, and school founder focused on building , personalized, strengths-based education systems that meet the needs of all learners. With a background in psychology, special education, and a doctorate in educational leadership, she brings both practical experience and academic insight to her work.

As a leader, Dr. Ryerson brings a unique lens to designing learning environments that prioritize equity, innovation, and whole-person support. She has developed and led professional learning initiatives praised by educators across sectors, regularly guest lectures at area universities, and is passionate about training the next generation of teachers.

Her work emphasizes collaboration between public and private institutions, and she actively supports nonprofit and school-based teams in building more equitable systems. In 2025, she was honored with the Virginia Fry Rising Star Award from the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, and in 2024, she was named one of Springfield Business Journal’s Most Influential Women.

Her doctoral research, A Qualitative Exploration of the Leadership Qualities that Contribute to the Opening and Management of a Successful Private School Serving Marginalized Student Populations, reflects her commitment to educational innovation with a public purpose.

Current position (1)

Chief Academic Officer, Founder

Encompass Academy

Achievements (2)
Virginia Fry Rising Star Award

Virginia Fry Rising Star Award (2025)
Presented by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, this award honors emerging leaders for outstanding professional achievements, community impact, and a strong commitment to shaping the future with integrity and innovation.

Most Influential Women

Most Influential Women (2024)
Awarded by the Springfield Business Journal, this honor recognizes women leaders who demonstrate exceptional leadership, professional excellence, and meaningful contributions to their industries and communities.

Degrees (3)
Psychology
Columbia College
2007 to 2009
Masters in Special Education
Drury University
2009 to 2011
Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Curriculum Instruction
Evangel University
2017 to 2023

Presentations

Presentations (9)
Leading a Private School with a Public Purpose

This session explores how private schools (and non-profits) can serve the greater good without compromising their mission or sustainability. Drawing from real-world experience, we’ll discuss how to build models that prioritize access, collaboration, and community engagement. Topics include designing service wings, sharing professional learning with public and nonprofit partners, training future educators, and intentionally dismantling gatekeeping practices. Attendees will walk away with ideas and actionable strategies for positioning private institutions as community assets—not competitors.

Building Effective School Systems

Behind every great school is a strong system that empowers people and supports sustainability. This session focuses on how to create structures that actually work—without losing sight of the heart behind the mission. We’ll cover strategic planning, staff hiring and retention, operational frameworks, and how to align systems with values. Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining an existing model, this session offers practical tools and leadership insights for building systems that support students, educators, and long-term success.

Supporting Marginalized Student Populations

This session centers on practical, research-informed strategies to support students often left behind by traditional systems—including those experiencing poverty, trauma, disability, or systemic barriers. We’ll explore how to set high expectations while building trust, creating pathways to meaningful success, and fostering environments where all students are seen, heard, and valued. Designed for educators, school leaders, and service providers who want to move beyond surface-level inclusion into real transformation.

Professional Learning That Actually Works

Tired of one-size-fits-none PD? This session is about creating meaningful, engaging professional learning experiences that educators actually want to attend—and apply. Learn how to design training that’s responsive, reflective, and relevant. We’ll explore structures for ongoing learning, how to build buy-in, and how to turn internal expertise into a shared growth culture. Whether you’re developing in-house PD or hosting external sessions, this session offers tools to level up your professional learning game.

Training the Next Generation of Educators

The future of education depends on how we train today’s college students and early-career professionals. This session explores how to create meaningful internships, practicum experiences, and mentorship opportunities that truly prepare new educators for the realities of the field. Learn how to integrate aspiring teachers into your school culture, build intentional coaching systems, and model the kind of professional learning we want them to carry forward.

From Research to Reality

It’s one thing to write a dissertation—it’s another to live it. In this session, Nacy shares how she translated her doctoral research into a working school model. Participants will reflect on their own research, values, or vision and identify steps to bring ideas to life. Whether you’re considering launching a school, program, or initiative, this session helps you bridge the gap between theory and action.

Collaborating Across Sectors

No one system can meet every need alone. This session explores how schools, nonprofits, and community partners can work together to build stronger supports for children and families. We’ll discuss how to initiate and sustain meaningful partnerships, share resources without losing focus, and align around shared goals. Whether you’re a school leader, agency partner, or service provider, you’ll leave with tools to build bridges—not silos.

Neurodivergent Leadership

Neurodivergent leaders offer valuable perspectives, creative solutions, and out-of-the-box thinking that can transform schools and systems. This session explores how to lead confidently and effectively with a neurodivergent brain, while also creating space for others to thrive. Nacy shares her experience as a neurodivergent educator and founder, along with strategies for building supportive teams, navigating systems, and leveraging cognitive diversity as a leadership strength. Designed for both neurodivergent professionals and those seeking to foster more balanced leadership cultures.

Collaborative Grant Writing: Turning Big Ideas into Funded Action

This session explores how schools, nonprofits, and community organizations can partner to write powerful, compelling grants that stand out. We'll walk through the collaborative process—from identifying shared goals and defining roles to co-writing with clarity and cohesion.

With a special focus on using invention and innovative thinking to align your project with a grantor’s mission, we’ll explore how to frame your work as timely, scalable, and solution-oriented. Participants will learn how to highlight what makes their initiative different, relevant, and ready for investment.

Past talks (5)
Panelist
Missouri State University Public Affairs Conference: Resilient People, Resilient Future
Virtual
Award Acceptance Speech
Athena Awards
White River Conference Center
March 20, 2025
Inner Compass: Understanding Your Drive, Style, and Strengths
Drury University Guest Lecture
Drury University
March 27, 2025
Winter Wonderland Emcee
Encompass Academy Winter Wonderland Event
2616. E. Battlefield St. Springfield, MO. 65804
December 19, 2024
EA Graduation, Emcee
EnCompass Academy Graduation
2616. E. Battlefield St., Springfield, MO. 65809
July 19, 2025
  • All (7)
  • Videos (1)
  • Photos
  • Slides (1)
  • Press information (5)
Discovering Your Inner Compass: Transforming education with Dr. Nacy Ryerson of EnCompass Academy
This speaker hasn't uploaded any photos yet.
Intro to Creating Supportive Responsive Classroom Environments (Partial Presentation Included)
This speaker hasn't uploaded any one sheet yet.
Springfield Chamber announced 2025 ATHENA and Virginia Fry Awards
2024 Most Influential Women: Nacy Tai Ryerson - Springfield Business Journal
Panther Tracks
Episode #178: Discovering Your Inner Compass: Transforming education w
Session Information

Expertise (15)

Leadership
Education
Family & Parenting
Community
Advocate of Education Special Education gifted education Dyslexia Educational Leadership culture building Personalized Learning presuming competence Neurodivergence Founder Collaboration

Reviews

Testimonials (1)
  • Nacy has spoken to my college class on two occasions. She is a great speaker who is very engaging with her audience. She speaks clearly and conveys her message extremely well. The students have spoken very highly of her presentations and have talked about what they have learned from Nacy in the weeks following her presentation.
    Julie Cassity
    Verified
Recommendations
5 Audience
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Why choose me? 

Doctoral educator helping schools grow strong teams, smart systems, and student-centered solutions.

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