The Frewin, the proud

By Scotty Schenck
SNN Staff Writer

In the world of advanced placement physics, one man stands alone. Ryan Frewin, 39, is the only AP physics teacher here at Lakewood High School. He said he was interested in physics in high school, because his teacher was able to make the subject interesting to him. 

“The same way I get my students interested … lots of hands-on lab activities,” Frewin said. “(It) allows for a lot of ‘a-ha’ moments to sink
in.”

Frewin got into teaching freshmen how to solve physics problems while in his last years of college, because other students enjoyed asking him for help. He was going to get his degree in physics when he realized he would rather teach than do research projects. 

After going to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, Frewin received his master’s degree in secondary science education and physics. He was hired into the Center for Advanced Technologies in 2001 and has been teaching here for 11 years. 

Frewin says he tries “just being enthusiastic about the subject,” to excite the students. He believes that the most important aspect of teaching is to know your subject and be enthusiastic about it. He tries to reach out and meet students on their level. He said he also tries to put a little bit of humor and quirkiness into his teaching as well. “I’ll try to slip in a test question about popular culture,” he said.       

Senior Nicholas Hughes said physics is his favorite class. Hughes enjoys the concept questions at the end of the class the most because the students will have discussions. Afterward, Frewin shows them how to get the correct answers. 

“He fits (physics) well with the type of student he has,” says Hughes.

Frewin says he enjoys teaching, and he would rather teach physics than anything else. “It’s a talent I have,” Frewin said. He wants to have students who will go farther than he has. He said he enjoys teaching CAT students because they are more motivated and have better study skills than other students - students such as those at Frewin’s side job, teaching at a college in Bradenton called the State College of Florida.

“(They’re) a different caliber student,” Frewin said about CAT students. 

He also says it’s interesting to see the friendships his students have built over the years, rather than teaching a room of complete strangers. As far as physics goes, Frewin said he enjoys the study of light and optics. According to him, the study of electricity and magnetism are the hardest to learn. 

Very few schools actually offer AP physics.  

Only 357 students take advanced placement physics in Pinellas County. As of last year, the AP physics B class – which covers the most material - had a passing rate of 27 percent, while the passing rate in the physics C class – which doesn’t cover as much material – was 32 percent. The Pinellas County passing rate for physics B was 29 percent and C was 34 percent. 

Center for Advanced Technologies program coordinator Peter Oberg said Frewin is a valuable faculty member. 

“Originally when Mr. Frewin was brought on board… he taught algebra and honors physics,” Oberg said . He’s multi-certified and can teach math, physics and astronomy, and he’s also versatile.

“He’s another resource for students that may not have him as a teacher, but need him for tutoring,” Oberg said. 

Frewin isn’t always working. When he isn’t, Frewin enjoys spending time with his wife and three children. He has three boys: Bryce, 3, Jacob, 5, and Kyle, 10. He also enjoys hanging out with friends, reading science fiction and fantasy books and playing video games. He lives in Manatee County, which is a 20-minute drive from school, although that hasn’t always been the case. He used to live at Lake Lynn apartments, which was relatively close to the school and he saw students all the time. 

His parents offered to split up land they owned in Manatee among their children. However, Frewin and his wife were the only ones to accept. So, they built their house in 2006 and have lived there ever since.