Yesterday, I started thinking about the teachers that I would want to include on my timeline. A few came to mind, but one stands out in particular; Kerry Rutigliano.
I took her English class sophomore year, and I spent every waking moment fearing what my grade would be. Everybody talked about this class as though it were a "walking on hot coals" class. Every time she gave us a new assignment, I would get butterflies in my stomach, and I was absolutely sure I was going to fail. By the end of the assignment, I would think to myself oh, that wasn't so bad. And on this cycle went throughout the whole year.
By the end of sophomore year, I realized she taught me something much more valuable than the themes present in Orwell's Animal Farm or the character evaluation of Atticus Finch. She taught me that I am capable of so much more than what I give myself credit for. If I settle for doing only things that I already know I am good at, I will never get better at anything.
So then, I started thinking about what could have influenced her to want to push her students the way she did. Kerry Rutigliano is the daughter of Sam Rutigliano, 1978-1984 Cleveland Browns coach. He is known for instituting the "Inner Circle," which helped about a dozen of his players overcome drug addiction. He wrote a book called "Presure," in which he explains how everyone is able to handle the pressures in their lives.
Clearly, Kerry Rutigliano came from a family that has a deep understanding of facing pressures, overcoming them, and growing from the experience. This is very clear in her classroom, and I believe this idea has had an immense impact on my educational career.
I teach Animal Farm and To Kill a Mockingbird. That would be enough for me to enjoy your post.
ReplyDeleteBut in addition, it’s a wonderful story of moving beyond your limits and a wonderful story of what an excellent teacher can do! Like her famous dad, Ms. Rutigliano knows how to bring out the best in people.
My favorite teacher put me in charge of a giant Tennessee Williams group drama project at the end of the school year. I knew how to organize myself, but not how to motivate and orchestrate other people. I learned so much because, like what happened to you, the teacher knew there was more in me than even I knew.
Now you can do the same for your students, while you also have the confidence to push past your own comfort zone. ‘Sounds like you and Ms. Rutigliano are both champions!
P.S.
ReplyDeleteI just remembered that a 2010 Browns player was Dave Zastudil. His dad was my jr. high science teacher. I absolutely loved his class. He made it so interesting. He made me feel like I mattered. I think we're onto something here: like in your class, sometimes these football families seem to excel at team-building and bringing out excellence!