Ryan Miller
HSE LIVE · Speaker spotlight

Ryan Miller

Senior Director of Program, Young Athletes & Elementary, Special Olympics New York
Upstate New York

1 breakout session Thursday, Sep 24, 2026 Child Development Track
See session ↓ Register for HSE LIVE
About the speaker

Building inclusive programming so every young athlete has a place to belong

Ryan Miller serves as Senior Director of Program, Young Athletes and Elementary, at Special Olympics New York (SONY), where he has spent the past five years working with regional staff to establish and manage statewide programs geared specifically toward SONY's youngest athletes. Much of that work is done in direct collaboration with school districts — partnering with educators and administrators to build inclusive programming that benefits their entire student body.

Before joining Special Olympics NY, Ryan spent 13 years in education as a Physical Education teacher, Athletic Director, and Dean of Students. He holds a Master's degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University Irvine, an undergraduate degree in Experiential Education from SUNY Empire State, and an Associate's degree in Physical Education. He has earned multiple certifications through the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA), including Certified Athletic Administrator, Registered Athletic Administrator, and Registered Middle School Athletic Administrator.

Ryan and his wife Kat live in upstate New York with their three children — Aubrey, Cam, and Liam — along with their rescue Pit-Bull Toga and American Bully Roo. Outside of work, he manages a real estate investment company, stays active in the gym, and enthusiastically attends his kids' many sporting events.

What Ryan is teaching

Free equipment, inclusive play, and a curriculum built for Head Start classrooms

A 90-minute workshop on Thursday morning introducing the Young Athletes curriculum — including free equipment kits — and showing Head Start and Early Head Start staff how to build inclusive play into their everyday programming.

Sep 24 Thursday 9:30 – 11:00 AM
🎓 Child Development & Education

Inclusive Play for Children of All Abilities

The Young Athletes program from Special Olympics brings inclusive, play-based physical activity to children ages 2–7, including those with and without intellectual disabilities. This session introduces Head Start and Early Head Start staff to the Young Athletes curriculum — showing how it aligns with HSPPS 1302.31–.92 and how it can be built into everyday classroom routines. Participants receive free Young Athletes equipment kits and leave with a clear picture of how to launch the program in their classrooms.

Room Onondaga · 50 cap
Format Interactive Workshop · 90 min
Slot Breakout Session 1
You'll leave able to
  1. Understand the Young Athletes curriculum framework and how it supports inclusive play for children ages 2–7.
  2. Connect Young Athletes programming to HSPPS performance standards (1302.31–.92) and Head Start school readiness goals.
  3. Leave with free Young Athletes equipment kits and a plan for introducing the program in your classroom or program.
See Ryan live

Join us at HSE LIVE Syracuse

Join Ryan Miller and a full slate of early childhood leaders at Turning Stone, September 23–25, 2026. Register at hsereg.org.

Register for HSE LIVE See Ryan's session
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