Growing up in a family where her father was transferred frequently, Diane Rudroe learned early how to adapt to different learning environments and schools in New York, and New Hampshire, finally graduating from Watertown High School in Watertown, Connecticut in 1971.
“I applied to all colleges in New England, but I also applied to Dickinson College in Carlise, PA. I really wanted to go there. I studied Latin in high school, and achieved a good enough score to be accepted in the classics department, and the two professors were wonderful.”
Diane credits her two professors at Dickinson as her main influences for setting her on a career path as an educator. “My two classics professors, Dr. Lockhart, and Dr. Sider were big influences for me. Professor Lockhart said that they were having a workshop and encouraged us to go. A teacher from Philadelphia, Rudy Massintonio, was teaching Latin in the 5th and 6th grades in Philadelphia. I went through all of the materials and learned how it was taught. A lot of the techniques were really cool! I learned how Latin contributes to our English and vocabulary; it really appealed to me. I thought I would go to Philadelphia and be a teacher in this program. I majored in Latin and after I received a BA in Latin, I spent a summer taking classes to become a certified educator. When summer was finished I went back to school where I student taught, which I loved. I stayed in Carlisle and worked as a waitress, graduating with my class in May of 1975. Through the department at Dickinson College I saw a job opening at Conrad Weiser High School. It was my first and only job interview.”
As a young woman fresh out of college and transplanted to her new home in Berks County, Pa, where she did not know anyone, Diane looked to fill the void outside of the school day. “The woman that I was hired to replace was also the drama director and musical director for the school plays. I had been in plays in high school, so I took workshops, and read books in order to fill those shoes. I directed the school musicals for years; Sound of Music, Guys and Dolls, Oklahoma, Fiddler on the Roof, to name a few. For a while students would call me Mrs. Baney, the former director’s name. I always took it as a complement.”
For her first 15 years at Conrad Weiser, Diane spent long days at school, many days arriving at 7am and returning home at 10pm, coaching girls basketball and having Drama Club after school in the fall months, and gearing up for the school musical starting in January. It was a good way to meet people and to make friends. It was on one of those long days that Diane met the guy that would become her husband.
“My husband, Jim Lord, graduated in the class of ‘68 from Conrad Weiser and was coaching Jr. High basketball at the time we met. I was coaching the JV girls, and we would have to switch gyms halfway through practice. I would see him in the hallway and say ‘Hi, coach!’ A man who he was coaching with him and who was also an English teacher asked if he could arrange a meeting. Sometime after that I saw Jim at a boys varsity game. At the time I had two tickets to a musical at the Rajah, They’re Playing Our Song. I asked him if he’d like to go. At first he asked how many tickets I would like him to buy,” she laughs. “Then it occurred to him, ‘You mean do I want to go with you?’ And so we went to the musical, our first date. We’re still together 45 years later.”
Diane’s life at school was engaged and varied throughout her 44-year career. “I was very active in the Conrad Weiser Education Association and the PA State Education Association. I really liked being involved. I was a representative and held every office in the association over the years. I was involved in the Junior Classic League State Convention, held every May at Penn State since I started teaching. The JCL is an organization for secondary level students studying Latin, Greek, and ancient classics. I had a healthy enrollment in JCL with my students in these exciting yearly events. I have taken students to Europe 27 times. These trips were great, and for so many students it motivates them to study and influenced them with college. We really enjoyed these trips!” Diane’s career spanned 44 years and 3 months when she finally decided to retire in 2019. “I was teaching a full schedule of Latin classes, a few English classes and courses, playwriting, public speaking, drama, and I became certified as a Reading Specialist. I thought about it for some time before I finally handed in my notice to retire.”
It wasn’t too long before Diane felt the urge to return to the classroom. “I just knew I had to be back at school. I accepted a long-term substitute position and went the full day. I had to create curriculum for independent living, child development and parenting. I did this for a year, teaching on Zoom during Covid until Weiser went on hybrid. There was a big increase in students signing up, so I’ve been full-time the last three years. I decided I better look into certification because it was a big department. I got certified for Family and Consumer Science.”
Not only does Diane continue to inspire and mentor her students at Conrad Weiser, but she also has plenty of energy left to share her love of the arts, culture, and traveling with her six grandchildren, introducing them to museums, cultural events, and most recently on a trip to Alaska last summer. All the while making time to help her family where she is needed, babysitting, house watching. This includes walking her two grand dogs, Frankie and Lulu, nearly every day year-round.
Reflecting on her role in the lives of her students, “Kids today have a different school experience than we did, like the anxiety about their own safety with the active shooter drills. I feel bad that they have to go through this, and there are more mental health issues because of it. Education is a cooperative venture, and it is important to work together for the best outcome for our children. For anyone thinking about going into education, I feel that it has been so rewarding, especially if you love the subject that you are teaching. The students appreciate your enthusiasm which is often passed on to them.”
Dedicated teachers have a lasting impact on the lives they touch. They shine a positive light in dark times and places, and help to provide inspiration, encouragement, and an undying love for learning to the young people they have the opportunity to influence.
Thank you to Diane Rudroe for a life dedicated to education, and for inspiring young lives, and for also putting a new spin on what it means to be retired!
