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The Unofficial List Bio

My husband is my biggest fan. My parents pull in a close second.
I have four great kids. They are imperfectly perfect and make me laugh every single minute of the day (almost).
I’m always trying to drink more water and walk more outside.
I write to figure out things.
Home is one of my favorite places to be.

OLW Collection

2018 {MOXIE}
2017 (STEADFAST}
2016 {TREASURE}
2015 {UNHURRIED}
2014 {LEAP}
2013 {SHINE}
2012 [ SALT]
2011 [CONNECT}
2010 {VITALITY}
2009 {DELIGHT}
2008 {GENUINE}
2007 {GIVE}
2006 {GRACE}

The Official Bio

As a director of a professional development consortium of 30 schools, Ruth spends her days helping students find meaning in their stories, and encouraging teachers to reflect and refine the art of teaching. “I love documenting ordinary stories from everyday life,” Ruth says.

Ruth earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Indiana University. She taught seventh-grade language arts in Wawasee Middle School for four years, followed by a dozen years as the district’s writing coach. She became an innovation specialist, working alongside building instructional coaches and providing district PD to increase inquiry in workshop and develop structures to support innovation via PBL.

Ruth says that she wanted to become a teacher because she wanted to have a positive impact on the lives of middle schoolers. “I like helping students see the power of their everyday stories and to learn how their words can make the world a better place. I consider myself among the most fortunate because I spend my days with children and adolescents, teaching them how to make sense of the world through reading and to impact the world with their voice through writing.”

Ruth and her husband, Andy, have four active teens. Family life is a bustle, but no matter how busy they are, you will find them cooking together and sharing stories around the kitchen table.