Rudy Ruettiger

I took a psychology course my senior year in high school and that became my major.  It’s funny how simple that seemed back then and how it still guides my work but in a much more complicated way.

I’ve never stood higher than 5.9 on my most limber days yet I’ve always felt tall.  I’ve never felt compelled to hide my southern drawl because it’s part of my heritage and I’ve managed to advance to places far from the Deep South with my speak and all (although by rigid preference I do not use y’all now or ever and typically refrain from FYI shortcuts in text messages).  And I’ve never been moved to compete with those who cite “Good Will Hunting” type chops.  I’ve just always been accustomed to my stature, status, and smarts.  I’m comfortable on most days in my own skin because it’s familiar and dependable and it has served me well.

I’ve tried to pass these lessons on to the students I have chaperoned along the way in addition to my own two kids, but it’s ultimately a message all of them will have to embrace for themselves. I worry more often these days that our growing up ideals have lost some elements of tolerance and patience.  I had an upbringing that taught me the value in discourse and the security to venture out – I was privileged.

Public schools these days and generations long before often debate the opportunity gaps that exist amongst our students.  For this post I’m not going to cite any research although there is plenty to be found. What I thought I would do instead is speak as a barely pushing average height, funny sounding, formally trained psychologist who has navigated many locales that only touch the surface on what many wicked smart students face every day without the same afforded opportunities.

And that last sentence captures the weight of a teacher’s life, and their principal’s life as well (with many other staff in the mix).  I’m learning more about this every night as the first grade teacher I never had in my life teaches me more about life than first grade ever did back when.  I’m tired of the constant collection of recyclables, tired of the cutouts, tired of the printing and laminating, tired of the homemade crayon collages in the oven which are apparently a game changer.  If anyone thinks schools are soft, or slacking, please join me for an observation.  I’m really not tired of any of this and learning to see the bigger picture which is becoming now more apparent and often starts with the closest perspective.  My role confines me to a single location on most days but for the next six weeks I will be taking up residence at 6 different elementary schools, one week at a time.  I can attest our staff are meeting student needs even when that means 3 adults supporting one student.  This posting’s title made reference to a well known underdog triumph story – isn’t it about time our teachers started feeling their stories can be told without such dramatic attention?  They do it everyday after all!