Congratulations, Mrs. Rudder!
Photos by Jennifer Kettler
Rebecca Rudder is a special education teacher at Paxton Keeley Elementary School, where she’s been teaching for 10 years. She has her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and special education and her master’s degree in special education-autism. Mrs. Rudder loves working with children. She and her husband, Ralph, have three girls, all adults. The oldest is a teacher for Columbia Public Schools. Their two younger daughters are close to graduating from college, and the youngest plans to be a teacher. Mrs. Rudder and her husband love traveling, studying nature, photography and reading. When enough time is available they ride horses on their farm.
Mrs. Rudder says of her students at Paxton Keeley Elementary School: “They are the reason why I do my job…these are the world’s best friends. They make me smile everyday..my friends are why I’m here.”
Why Mrs. Rudder is special:
“Mrs. Rebecca Rudder is the type of teacher who believes every child she serves will learn. With her great knowledge base of best practices and current research, Rebecca embeds strategies in her teaching that motivates students and helps them reach their full potential.”
—Elaine Hassemer, Principal, Paxton Keeley Elementary School
“Rebecca is an outstanding special educator who works with many individuals with varying needs every year. She goes out of her way to provide each child not only with an education, but with life experiences they might not otherwise receive. If they don’t have a coat, she’ll get them one. She takes time every year to find people willing to donate to buy them Christmas presents. She goes above and beyond to show individual children that they are appreciated and they mean something to someone. Rebecca is also my mother, and she is the reason I went into special education and have the passion for my students that I do. She is amazing to watch: teachers from other buildings come to observe her creative teaching environment and approach.” —Carissa Bowers
Mrs. Rudder will receive a $100 check and a $100 savings bond from UMB Bank, a $100 gift certificate from Ann’s Teachers Store, flowers from Kent’s Floral Gallery and a $50 gift certificate from Sycamore restaurant.
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