“I enjoy learning, and I’m a voracious reader,” said Russell-Rader, one of six children. “A love of learning and reading was instilled in us as young children by our parents.”
A 1972 Fairborn graduate, she was involved in numerous activities and held many leadership positions. She worked part time while attending Bowling Green State University on scholarship, where she consistently made the dean’s list. She graduated in three years with a degree in English education and special needs. She taught freshman English and language arts in Wapakoneta.
In 1976, she began teaching English and special needs at Fairborn. In 1985, she developed an accelerated enrichment English literature and composition program for students at Fairborn Baker Jr. High School, and started a remedial reading program. She coached numerous teams for Power of the Pen, a statewide interscholastic writing competition. Her students consistently placed first in district and regional competitions and carried home the coveted Sweepstakes Trophy. The teams and individual writers consistently earned a place in the top three schools at the state competition. Many of her students tell her about the compliments they receive from college professors about their writing.
She also was director and choreographer for the Flyerette Corps, a dance-drill team that consisted of 50 girls, who danced and performed routines with various props with the marching band.
It was on the football field with the Flyerettes during summer band camp that Russell-Rader met her husband, Don Rader, a 1966 graduate.
Rader, a French horn player in the U. S. Navy Band, had recently been hired to be the marching band director.
After a European tour with the band, he returned to Ohio University to complete his degree in music education and a master’s in music performance.
“We met on the football field and dated for one month before becoming engaged,” said Russell-Rader, who wed Rader in 1977. “Due to the numerous band and Flyerette performances, we had to schedule our wedding after the Fourth of July parade and before band camp.”
Russell-Rader earned a master’s in English and reading education in 1987 from the University of Dayton, where she was selected to be a member of the educational fraternity, Phi Delta Kappa. She was recognized for her role as an outstanding teacher, receiving the Howard L. Post Excellence in Education Award in 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2001. This award is presented to area teachers by valedictorians and salutatorians to the teacher who most influenced them in their academic careers.
In addition, she was selected for the Golden Apple Teacher Achievement Award by Ashland Oil Corp. in 1996. In 2001 and 2002, she was named a U.S. Presidential Distinguished Teacher.
“I’ve kept in touch with a number of students over the years, and not a day goes by that I don’t think about them and wish I were still teaching,” said Russell-Rader, whose office is blanketed with notes, photos, and writings of her former students.
After leaving teaching, Russell-Rader teamed with a Fairborn colleague and her former teacher, Michael L. Seewer, to write a historical fiction novel.
“Currently, we are in the process of revising our 300-page book.”
Many of Russell-Rader’s students have gone on to become teachers, many in the surrounding areas.
Under the instruction of Carolyn Gatchell, Russell-Rader is studying Spanish. Russell-Rader is also a volunteer with the Lupus Foundation of America and working to set up a support group. She and her husband have a Bichon Frise, Arielle, and have been the recipients of the VIP Washington Twp. Beautification Award numerous times.
Contact this columnist at (937) 432-9054 or jjbaer@aol.com.
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