CUSD 50 Staff Spotlight: Christine Ruggles, Music Teacher at Crosby Elementary
"I grew up in several regions of the United States. I was born in Livingston, New Jersey, when I get really mad or really excited the accent comes out, and moved to the Twin Cities, Minnesota area in high school. After graduating from Gustavus Adolphus College (St. Peter, MN), I moved to Dallas, Texas. I began my teaching career in Dallas ISD and eventually got my Masters of Music in Music Education with Orff Emphasis from Southern Methodist University (SMU)."
"My middle school band director, Mr. Dan Traglia, and my high school best friend, HarmoniJoie inspired me to become a music teacher. I remember standing outside the mess hall one day at sleep away marching band camp (yes, that is a real thing) and said “I’m afraid I’ll never play my saxophone again once I become a grownup.” Harmoni said “If you love it so much, why don’t you make it your job?” So I did! This is my fourth year teaching in Harvard CUSD 50 but my 18th year teaching. My entire career has been in elementary music, though I planned to become a high school marching band director in Texas."
"I love that my class is different everyday. I get to teach different music everyday; it could be a song or game from a different part of the world or it could be student-created music that was inspired by a poem we learned or rhythms we reviewed. My day is NEVER boring nor the same and I love the variety in that."
"I honestly love the kids. Our kids are, overall, happy, nice kids that are willing to give anything a try in Music class."
"I would suggest “do good.” Or if we want to get fancy: “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” (Aesop). It doesn’t cost much, if anything, to be and do something nice for another person."