If you’re looking for Dr. Ryan Sykes, assistant principal at L.C. Bird High School in Chesterfield, Virginia, skip his office. You’ll likely find him high-fiving and fist-bumping students and teachers in the halls, or modeling lessons and positive behavior supports in classrooms. Sykes has a magical ability to connect with students. He knows every student by name and builds relationships with all of them, especially those with the greatest needs. His energy is boundless and contagious. Sykes is the first one on the dance floor at school socials, eats lunch with students in the cafeteria and tackles the obstacle course with them on field day, coaxing reluctant students from the sidelines into the action. He spent an entire day clad in the leotard and tights of Frozone, a character from “The Incredibles,” to fulfill a promise after students reached their target on state assessments. Sykes serves on the district’s action team for improving attendance, studying specific student data as he works with attendance officers to problem-solve with families. His background in special education makes him particularly sensitive to working with all people’s talents and challenges.
Smart, confident and respected, Sykes goes the extra mile to get the best from students, teachers and parents. He researched, coordinated and implemented an advisory program that helps students foster peer-to-peer relationships through positive behavior, communication, social and empathy skills. Sykes supervised a yearlong STEM program for underserved African American young men at Woodson made available through a grant from Virginia State University and Verizon. Students move to high school brimming with confidence because of the advisory groups, mentoring sessions and tutoring services he facilitates.
In August 2024, Sykes started a nonprofit, POPScholar, Inc. The mission of this nonprofit is to use relationship development to help high school students that have experienced homelessness to find purpose and wellness. Please visit the website for more information to see our supporters and donors. www.POPMentality.com.
In June 2025, Sykes published his first book Make It POP: The Story of Perseverance, Opportunity and Purpose and started his Podcast channel, POPMentality, highlighting stories of Perseverance, Opportunity and Purpose. The POPcast Podcast is a channel dedicated to sharing inspiring narratives that shine a light on important issues surrounding students that experience homelessness.
Sykes earned a bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies in 2011, a master’s in administration and supervision in 2014, and a doctorate in administration and supervision in 2024 from Virginia State University.
Press release: Being a Superhero for Students Earns Assistant Principal Ryan Sykes a $25,000 Milken Educator Award
VIDEO: Virginia First Lady Pamela Northam's remarks before Ryan's Milken Award surprise
VIDEO: Ryan Sykes shares some thoughts at his surprise Milken Award assembly
VIDEO: Ryan Sykes talks with the Milken Family Foundation after the assembly
"I hope my students recognize that I really care about them..." (read more)
