08.29.2023

Dear Nokomis Community,

I would like to extend a welcome to you for the 2023-2024 school year.  It is my fifth year at Nokomis Montessori. I am excited to be back and work with a new and exciting team that I can tell are passionate about teaching your children.

I am currently in my 18th year at SPPS. I taught at Crossroads Montessori 2005-2010, Capitol Hill Gifted Talented 2010-2013 as Middle School Band and Choral Director,  Ramsey Middle School as Asst. Band Director and Choir Director 2013-2016 also African Drumming, and John A. Johnson Elementary as Music Specialist 2016-2019. Also, a wonderful season in 2015 with Henry Sibley Marching band as drum line instructor.

I graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2004 with Cum Laude Honors and hold a degree in Music Education. I enjoyed learning a music education pedagogy but also the contemporary aspects of Jazz theory and performance while studying drum set and percussion as my principal instrument.  I am currently a candidate for a Masters of Education from Hamline University.

I live in Eagan with my wife and two children, Zach (18) as a Senior and Micah (15) as a Sophmore. We also have a wonderful Fox Red Labrador Retriever rescue named Britta. I enjoy travelling to Canada each year to fish on Rainy Lake, camping, cooking, hiking, and live music whenever possible.

Again, I look forward to this year and working in a great community.

Best, Michael Rutschke

(Mr. Michael or Mr. R)