TEN THINGS WE LIKE ABOUT MR. RUTTER:

• Compassion for inspiring students
• Interesting stories!
• Coffee fanatic!
• Always willing to help!
• Loves what he does!
• Very prompt
• Positive, high energy!
• Movies, ALL the movies
• Star Wars references
• Passionate about everything English!

Eagle Eye: What inspired you to become a teacher?

David Rutter: Without a shadow of doubt it was my mother. She was special educational teacher for 20-years and then taught middle-school English in the Blackhawk school district near Pittsburg. My mother would share stories about the accomplishments of her students and relish in the accomplishments they achieved in their academic career. Her devotion to her students was unwavering and I saw first-hand the impact she had on her students.. After spending considerable time in her classroom over the years, I knew that becoming a teacher and sharing my love of reading and writing was the perfect fit. Thank you mom!

EE: How long have you been teaching?

DR: I began my teaching career here at Tyrone during the 2006-06 school year, so I am coming close to the ten year mark.

EE: Have you always taught at Tyrone? If not, where else have you taught?

DR: I did a brief stint at State College Area High School and Park Forest Middle School during 2004. I learned many valuable lessons while working in that district.

EE: What is your favorite memory as a teacher?

DR. My favorite memory was when several of my 11th grade students, during my first year, asked me to participate in the of West Side Story. The hard work and dedication shown by all of the students who participated in that musical was astounding. It was a great way to interact with many students outside of the classroom. Also, how could I miss the opportunity to act alongside officer Bub and Mr. Mcnitt!

EE: If you weren’t teaching right now, What would you be doing?

DR. If this were the case I would be participating in the following: spending as much time as I could with both of my daughters. Working out at least twice a day, seven day a week, and planning out my novel, which I will write in the next 20 years. Trying to contact Jimmy Page (the guitarist of Led Zeppelin) every day to convince him to let me write his biography, An drinking lot and lots of coffee.

EE: Where did you attend college?

DR. I graduated from Penn State University in 1996 with a BA in communications. After graduating I worked for WPSU-TV for 10 years. I worked and directed a variety of television shows including sports programs, game shows, and talk shows. I had outstanding colleagues who were all very supportive of one another. I also worked in the areas of graphic design, lighting coordinator, and camera operation. In 2004, I went back to pursue my masters in English and education, Completing in the spring of 2005.

EE. What is you’re favorite movie?

DR. “JAWS, JAWS, JAWS!” In my opinion it is the “perfect film”. It has everything a film-lover could ask for: dynamic conflict, well-developed characters, and outstanding direction by Steven Spielberg.

EE. What is your favorite book?

DR. Pet sematary by Stephen King. I believe King is one of the great American novelists: His plethora of materials over his career is astounding. Plus, this is the only book I have ever read in which I had to put it down because I was terrified, and I was reading it in the middle of the afternoon on a sunny day, hot day at the beach! When you cam do that to a reader, you’ve accomplished your goal as a writer.

EE. what is your favorite sports and sports team?

DR: The Pittsburgh Steelers. Let’s hope we make it to playoffs this year without the wheels falling off the bus at the end of the season.