Filling every room with smiles, prepared to answer any questions that come his way, math teacher Erik Ruhmann brings a positive attitude to his classroom every day.
Following 6 years of teaching formulas, functions, and life lessons at Westford Academy, Ruhmann is set to retire from his 32-year career in education at the Westford Public Schools at the end of this year.
Ruhmann began his teaching journey at Abbot Elementary School as a 5th grade teacher before moving to several schools around Westford including Blanchard Middle School and Robinson Elementary School.
Ruhmann’s interest in teaching was sparked in high school when he had a part-time job instructing kids how to ski at Nashoba Valley. In college, Ruhmann completed his undergraduate studies in Business, but after graduating, he realized that this profession did not suit him and he transitioned to a career in education.
Although a teacher’s schedule can be demanding, Ruhmann appreciates the commitment that comes with the position. Unlike other professions, teachers cannot arrive late to work and must show up to school each day on time, ready to provide a positive learning atmosphere for their students.
“When you’re a teacher, you can’t be half an hour late to work because of traffic,” Ruhmann said. “Teaching is different than other professions in that way.”
Over the course of his time at WA, Ruhmann has created meaningful friendships with his colleagues, especially those he works closely with in the Math Department.
“Mr. Ruhmann is always in a great mood and willing to have a fun conversation,” math teacher Gil Fuhr said. “He has always enjoyed working with kids, and every class is his favorite. A great quality of Mr. Ruhmann’s is that he always believes in the best for everyone, and works to help every student succeed.”
Throughout his teaching career, Ruhmann has emphasized the importance of connecting with students as individuals and integrating personal interests into lessons. He believes that this lightens the day for students who carry intense class loads, and aims for his class to be a place where students feel comfortable and take a breath during a stressful day.
“At the beginning of the school year, Mr. Ruhmann had us give him a music artist that we liked so while we were working independently he would play music that we all knew,” junior Elizabeth Chilicky said. “He would also have us work together to go over our homework so we all had a better understanding of the material.”
Come this June, Ruhmann will retire in Massachusetts but continue to teach at Pinkerton Academy in New Hampshire.
“I have been hired to teach next year at Pinkerton Academy and will be taking advantage of the ‘double dipping’ arrangement,” Ruhmann said. “I’m collecting my retirement [through Westford], and on top of that, getting the whole salary from New Hampshire.”
Each of Ruhmann’s teaching experiences have made him more passionate about being an educator, but WA has made the biggest impact on him due to the great environment created by students and teachers.
“WA has really great people here,” Ruhmann said. “I enjoy the kids, and I really enjoy working with my colleagues. The administrative team that we have here at WA, including deans, the guidance counselors, and [Principal Dan Twomey] are some of the best people that I’ve ever worked for.”
