Captain of the Rue Crew
Laura Rue has been captain of the “Rue Crew” (as she dubs her classroom of students each year) since 1996.
“It’s not just that I love teaching, but I also love my students, their families, and my colleagues,” says Rue. “I truly love my job. Everyone is positive and caring, and as a teacher here [at Country Day] I have the freedom to explore the interests of my class. The fun part about it is that it changes every year; the children change and there are opportunities for new adventures. I feel like I'm going out with a trifecta: teaching on the best team, with the best Lower School head, and the best head of school.”
It's true. By the time this publication goes to print, Laura Rue will be retired after 27 years of teaching at Country Day and 38 years of teaching altogether.
“The hardest part about retiring for me is leaving this community,” says Rue. “Ann [Wimmer] and Jessica [Beaudoin] aren't just colleagues, they're like family. One of the joys of being a teacher is seeing your students grow and learn, and it makes me sad that I won’t be around to see these kids – this year’s Rue Crew – graduate. This year I'm going to be graduating with a bunch of my Rue Crew seniors. But I'll come back. Once you're part of this community, you're always part of it.”
Laura and her husband, Kevin, have already built a home in South Carolina to be closer to their grandkids, the newest baby was born this past April, by way of their children, Brian `05 and Allie `09, both of whom live in the Carolinas.
“It was such a blessing to have my children attend CCDS and to watch them be nurtured and supported and grow, not only academically, but also in life skills. In the 98 years of the school, it's just so amazing that there have been so many incredible teachers and it just keeps getting better.”
And it keeps getting better because of teachers like Laura. Her secret? Getting involved.
“Country Day is an amazing place where you can really grow as a teacher, but I feel like what set my experience apart was getting involved as much as I did,” says Rue. “Like serving on an ISACS steering committee. That helped me actively learn about the school from all different perspectives; it really opened my eyes and made me appreciate the school in a whole new way. I would encourage people to jump in and get involved as much as they can.”
And get involved, she has. From fifth-grade ski trip leader to faculty rep for the Athletic Boosters to Middle School sports coach to concession stand volunteer to youth sports coordinator, Laura says she has met so many people through these other roles.
“I started my career here [at Country Day] as the PE coordinator,” says Rue. “I was also the first youth sports coordinator, which was a lot of work but completely worth it and it gave me the opportunity to meet people I might not have met otherwise. We wanted to make sure our program incorporated our character virtues and we wanted to give our families the opportunity for Country Day to be their place not only for academics but for sports as well, so I helped build that program. And I loved the opportunity to see the children learn and shine outside of the classroom.”
Of course, she also loves seeing the students shine in the classroom as well.
“There is nothing better than watching them grow, especially in first grade – you see that light go, on and off they go,” says Rue. “Everyone is here to help each other, teach these students, and help each child reach their potential. But it's not just me teaching students, it's also what this community teaches me. I love the way we celebrate culture and traditions. Our CCDX Week was a great example of that, when our first-grade families came in to share their traditions. It showcases how we're all alike but we're all different, and that is something to be celebrated.”
Laura’s contributions to Country Day are definitely worth celebrating as well. She will certainly be missed, and that feeling is mutual.
“I hope to volunteer with teachers in some capacity when I retire because I know their workload,” says Rue. “I can’t imagine not working with children anymore; that’s the part that makes me the saddest. But it’s time. I’m ready. I am looking forward to traveling whenever I want to, without the boundaries of the school year. I’m also looking forward to spending more time with my family, knowing I will always love and cherish my Country Day family as well. There won't be a Rue Crew at Country Day anymore, but I'll have my own little one in the Carolinas with four grandkids under the age of four.”
