The Warrior Teachers Who Won't Give Up On Children

No matter where or when we went to school, we all remember our favorite teachers! We loved them, and we knew they loved us.

Such is the case with the fifteen-plus volunteer teachers at The Day School, part of The Brian Muha Memorial Foundation. They devote their time, talent and love to each and every student, and they are all 'Warriors for Children.'

"They are Warrior Teachers who won't give up on children," said Rachel Muha, founder of The Brian Muha Memorial Foundation. "They are dedicated to teaching inner city children so they can first get caught up and then go beyond everyone's expectations."

The teachers are retired or stopped teaching for some reason or had a totally different career (one is a retired doctor) and decided to volunteer to help children who are behind for one reason or another. While their backgrounds are different, they share common commitments to the children. They love their students, and their students love them.

Five of the 'Teacher Warriors' answered the following questions:

1. How long have you volunteered with us?

2.If you are new, why do you want to teach at the Day School?

3. If you have been with us for a while, why is that?

4. You can get a job and make some money - why are you volunteering?

5. Do you have any little stories about your experience at the Day School or any comments you want to make?

Here are their stories in their own words:

1. Betsy Sidor -- "I started volunteering as a teacher at RTR Day School in September 2021. I will begin my fourth year when classes begin in September.

During that same time period, I have regularly participated on a Christ Child Society RTR Meal Team that provides lunches to the students and staff during the school year.

I continue to volunteer at the school because I believe, and have evidence, that I can help students acquire important learning skills.

Students learn with my guidance because I develop a relationship with them based on each child’s interests and aspirations. To accomplish this, I listen to them and create learning activities that motivate them to spend time on the instructional tasks. For example, while learning mathematics, reading and language arts objectives, I encourage students to study nonfiction topics, that they show an interest in, to help them acquire knowledge about the world they live in.

I am 72 years old and retired from teaching high school. I taught at Linden McKinley and East High School, 1 year; West High School, 4 years; Whetstone High School, 1 year; and Upper Arlington High School, 25 years. I appreciate the opportunity that Rachel has offered me to once again work with at-risk students.

Most mornings, the student and I have LOL moments. The scenarios that come to mind occurred when the student and I discussed a nonfiction topic— usually a current event. The laughter came when the student made connections to the topic from their life experiences. I always tried to focus the merriment on doing more investigation into the topic on my iPad. Then working on a learning objective.
For example, a ten-minute conversation on a current news article, led my student and me to research an Op Ed piece musing whether or not dogs should be allowed in restaurants and shopping centers. My student felt strongly about the topic, so he organized an essay to express his support for allowing dogs in these venues to an audience that insists on banning them. The process of articulating his opponents' arguments resulted in my student thinking critically about another person’s point of view and offered practice in developing paragraphs using evidence to advance a thesis. The merriment came when my student played the role of a person banning dogs, (he was trying to understand his opponent), and I played the role of a person wanting dogs allowed in these venues."

2. Beth Nortz--"I have been a volunteer for four years. I responded to an e-mail that Rachel sent out asking for volunteers to teach children at the farm. I'm not sure why I received the e-mail but saw it as providential since I was looking for a way to volunteer after my first year of retirement.

I love being a part of this ministry that Rachel started. It's heartbreaking at times to see what the children have and are suffering. But also hopeful because the Day School is safe, nurturing and Christ-centered. Seeds of hope and love are definitely being planted!

I'm volunteering because of the children! I quickly realized that they offered me more than I could ever give them.

The adorable little boy that we have worked with could barely speak, was timid and had myriad physical complaints when we started trying to teach him three years ago. I've learned to be patient as he has learned to trust and respond to the teaching and help offered to him. I can only imagine that he would have been lost in a larger school environment!"

3. Annamarie Wagner-- "I started volunteering in early 2021, I believe, out at The Run the Race Farm.

I not only love helping the children excel in school, I love the Catholic homeschool grade books, especially the stories. I love being able to talk about God and His love for us in each subject. I love the one-on-one interaction--not teaching to a group.

Ever since I was a child, I wanted to be a teacher, get married, stay home to raise our children and then give back by volunteering--just like my mom did! I tell everyone I am very busy helping others (working). I just don't get paid money for it!

I learn so much from Rachel Muha every time I go to the center, sometimes I even take notes and reread later and/or go over her talk with the children I am teaching - powerful life lessons!"

4. Andrea Wood--" I think this is my fourth year, but I have known of Run the Race for many years through donation involvement in a Bible study group.

I knew women (friends in my parish Bible study group) who volunteered as teachers, and I was very interested when hearing them speak passionately about it. When they explained it to me, and I went on just one visit to The Day School, met Rachel in person (I had already heard her speak several times,) I was hooked and knew I wanted to be involved.

In the past, it was important to me to be involved in my daughter's schools, activities and teaching parish religious ed. My daughter is now an adult, and I was looking for something to volunteer and give back. I believe this is one of the most important and worthwhile things that I have ever participated in! My experiences with Rachel and The Day School and the students and teachers have given me so many meaningful moments.

I don’t have any particular stories that I remember, but just an overall sense about how happy the children are in the mornings (usually!) to share breakfast together and listen so intently to Rachel’s teachings and stories encompassing faith and life lessons.

I also find it unique and valuable to have one-on-one or one-on-two teaching experiences with the children. It is genuinely heartwarming when a student accomplishes a lesson they’ve been working on to attain a goal that’s been set for them. The smallest victories make them so full of joy and pride!"

5. Jackie Paluszak, 'Miss Jackie' to her students --"I have volunteered for five years. I believe in Rachel Muha and her cause. It’s obvious these children need love in every way possible. 'My Girls' have me wrapped around their fingers and I adore them.

I volunteer because I have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the Racers.

These young people need to be made a priority, someone special, and I enjoy doing that for them.

I go into the Center thinking I can do something for the children, and yet, I leave knowing they have done something for me.

I purchased Christmas gifts, made them Easter baskets and gave them graduation gifts. They were a gold medal and chain of Mary. They couldn’t wait to put them on. But they were also thrilled with the wrapping paper and ribbon! The ribbon went in their hair and they saved the wrapping paper. This told me, sadly, that they didn’t receive many specially wrapped gifts just for them.

We also did some baking (cookies and cupcakes with lots of sprinkles) and cooked ham and cheese panini sandwiches with a pickle garnish. All of a sudden there were numerous Racers coming to me with requests to be in my kindergarten class.

The bottom line: I love 'my girls.'”

***Thank you Warrior Teachers! We are eternally grateful.***

About The Day School

The Day School sponsored by The Brian Muha Foundation opened in September 2020. We are purposely a "small school" where we took only 10 students that first year. Most of our classes were at The Run The Race Farm where the children could learn outside.

Our second year started on September 8, 2021 with a cap of 15 students - but now we have 18. The students are all thriving.

The Day School is free of charge, and we have classes at The Center and at The Run The Race Farm (we provide transportation).

Many Fridays at The Farm are Fridays With The Horses where the children learn to take care of and ride horses, learn math and science through the study of horses, learn history and geography too, all while being out in the country.

Our fifth school year will start in September 2024.

About The Run the Race Farm

You can do a lot with eight acres when you put your mind to it! We have a 3,000 sq ft. farmhouse, a very large barn, smaller barns, fruit trees, a vegetable garden, a treehouse, zip line, climbing ropes and lots of room to play football or just roam around and day dream. Our Racers learn about farm life, lots of little critters, insects and more. The children of Run The Race spend spring, summer and fall days at The Farm, playing, learning, eating and relaxing far from the noise and danger of the inner city.

About The Run the Race Center

Our own 22,000 sq. ft. building allows us to welcome as many inner city children who want to come to a safe, cheerful, fun and loving place after school and on the weekends. We have snacks, tutoring, homework help, sports, music, art, tumbling, games, contests, parties, holiday celebrations, a library, gym, salon, a full meal every day, a food pantry and more.

About the Brian Muha Memorial Foundation

In 1999, Rachel's son Brian Muha, 18 years old, was murdered. Charlie's, Rachel's and Chris' lives changed forever. Through her act of forgiveness and wanting to bring good out of evil as Our Lord asks us to do, Rachel, Brian's brother, Chris, and other family members started The Brian Muha Memorial Foundation and in 2005, The Run The Race Club. Rachel works every day at these ministries without monetary compensation. She says, "This is the most heartbreaking and the most joyful work I have ever done." www.brianmuhafoundation.org "Overcoming Evil with Good"

The Brian Muha Foundation invites you to come celebrate with us and help us get started on our next 25 years! www.bidpal.net/25years

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