RUTH RIGBY
Portrait of a Volunteer
Ruth Rigby provides her views on the importance of volunteering with NCTE. She has held numerous roles and feels that her involvement with NCTE has been instrumental in her professional growth.
Ruth is currently a 7th grade reading teacher in the Lee School District, Ft. Myers, Florida. She has received several awards from the school and state for her teaching performance, has been active in NCTE's Reading Initiative program, and serves on several local committees in addition to her work as a public education liaison for the National Writing Project.
What motivated you to volunteer for NCTE service?
NCTE has been a part of my life since I first started teaching English—a long time ago—in 1972. Learning experiences have always motivated me. NCTE afforded me an opportunity to learn about my profession through professional readings, and to grow into leadership roles over several years of networking with teachers and other professionals at NCTE conventions. NCTE is the perfect organization to keep abreast of literacy issues at all levels and to dialogue with others about classroom celebrations as well as classroom concerns.
What has kept you interested in volunteering your time over the years?
Because NCTE has supported me, I gladly volunteered my time over the years. No matter what my role, NCTE has provided me with the support I needed. As a classroom teacher, I honed my teaching skills on NCTE journal articles and NCTE conference sessions. As President of the Florida Council of Teachers of English, NCTE provided a seamless leadership affiliation between state and national levels. As a District-level coordinator of English language arts, NCTE provided me with guidance in planning several NCTE Reading Initiative groups, and provided the teacher leadership training to implement it.
What does your current role entail?
My current role is 7th grade Reading Teacher. I consider it an honor to return to teaching after eight years as a District level curriculum and professional development coordinator. I get to implement all the things I trained other teachers to do. My classroom is really a study in what works with adolescent learners. My classroom is a joyous place because of my students, and I laugh with them every day.
What key roles have you played and what did you find most satisfying in carrying them out?
Without a doubt, my key roles have been leadership roles.
In my early career as teacher, I assisted with judging NCTE Writing Awards. I also served as the President of my local council, the Lee Council of Teachers of English. I was honored to serve the state as President of the Florida Council of Teachers of English, an affiliate of NCTE.
As a District level administrator, I served as the President of the Council of Language Arts Supervisors of Florida and was successful during that two-year term in providing an NCTE presence at our annual spring meetings. Kathy Egawa, the NCTE Associate Executive Director, networked with Florida supervisors, shared the NCTE Reading Initiative, and demonstrated NCTE CoLearn professional development technology. A key role was also serving as an NCTE Reading Initiative site leader.
As a current 7th grade reading teacher, a unique leadership role I currently have is serving on the NCTE Commission on Reading. As a result of this role, I have unabashedly shared honest and factual information about reading practices often ignored because of the politics of reading.
What satisfactions do you derive from volunteering?
Satisfaction comes from helping others grow in a way that positively impacts students.
Why would you recommend volunteering to another NCTE member?
I would recommend volunteering because you will experience a synergy with others, renew enthusiasm for your profession, and positively influence others to grow, too.
Has your affiliation with NCTE and (project/service) improved your professional development and career?
Absolutely! NCTE has put me in the same places as notable authors, researchers, leaders, and teachers. A great respect is born among such diversity, and the richness flows both ways. The greatest mentor I have ever had is Kathy Egawa, Associate Executive Director of NCTE.
Do you have a favorite NCTE publication?
I have read them all, but Language Arts is my favorite NCTE publication.
What is the one book, article, or professional development experience you would recommend to other educators?
I highly recommend attending the NCTE Annual Convention as the number one professional development experience.
The one article I recommend is “Reading First: Cautions and Recommendations” by Joanne Yatvin, Constance Weaver and Elaine Garan. It is in Language Arts, September 2003.
I also recommend the entire December 2001 issue of Voices in the Middle in which the writings of notable authors pay tribute to the human spirit of September 11. Kylene Beers edited it.
For more information about volunteering with NCTE, please visit www.ncte.org/about/over/vol.
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