Editor’s note: This is the second story of a series on teachers’ lives before Niles West.
Many of you may know of Daniel Rusk as a AP Calculus, Honors Trigonometry, Algebra 2, and Precalculus teacher here at Niles West, but there’s another side to him that you may not have known. Rusk was also a successful Division 2 college football coach.
Rusk coached NAIA Division 2 football at Pacific Lutheran University, leading them to win the national championship in 1993 and be runners-up in 1994.
“There was a time I thought coaching football was my passion. My experience at Pacific Lutheran University helped me understand my real passion was people. Coaching is simply the medium to teach life lessons,” Rusk said.
He transitioned from leading a team to their victory to leading high school students understand mathematics.
“I really enjoy high school students. They are adults but still close enough to the innocence of childhood that they remain charitable. I mean what adult could put up with all that is expected of high schoolers? Not one. My priority as a teacher is for my students to know that I care about them. I want to encourage every student I work with. I want to recognize their effort and talents and appreciate the person they are. We will also learn some mathematics along the way that will help them get to college, succeed there and beyond,” Rusk said.
Adding to the athletic and mathematical sides to Rusk, he also lives an environmentally friendly life.
“I get up about 4:15 a.m., eat a big breakfast and get on my bike. Ride 22 miles and get to school to play some basketball on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays or floor hockey on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Then it’s time to get to work. After school there might be some wrestling practice. Then I ride home, eat some dinner with my wife and two sons. I play with my younger son who still wants to play with me, do some school work and go to bed,” Rusk said.
Rusk shows an incredibly positive attitude and enjoys his work every day.
“I am thankful every day that I get to work with the greatest students and faculty in the world. I don’t mean that as hyperbole, I truly believe there is no finer school community anywhere,” Rusk admitted.
