Janet Ruff – 8th Grade Science and Social Studies at Palmer Elementary School
Janet Ruff is 8th-grade science and social studies teacher at Palmer Elementary School, a PreK-8th Chicago Public School, located in the Mayfair area of Chicago. This is her nineteenth year teaching and second year working with Pilot Light. After graduating from high school in Chicago, Janet became a registered nurse and received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She always had a desire to teach so she returned to school, became certified to teach, and later earned a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership. Ten years ago, she achieved her initial National Board Certification in Teaching, and this past year her re-certification.
Janet loves to learn new things, especially if she can apply them to some aspect personally or professionally. She likes cooking and trying new foods. It is exciting to learn about healthier food choices and how the food standards can be incorporated into the subjects she teaches. During her free time, she also enjoys her dogs, country line dancing, and listening to live music with friends and family. During the growing season, she works on growing herbs and flowers in the garden and throughout the year teaches students composting with red wigglers in the classroom. Although she loves teaching, she also loves nursing and continues to work part-time as a registered nurse.