Respected Teacher
During the course of his career as an educator in Indiana, Sam Ruff has pursued his passion for both athletics and science. Mr. Ruff received a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from the University of Indianapolis, with licenses in Earth Space Science and Chemistry. Soon after, he earned a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. As an undergraduate, Sam Ruff competed in NCAA Division II wrestling competitions in 1992 and 1994. In those same years, he was honored with the prestigious Kelso M. Reid Mental Attitude Award from the University of Indianapolis.
In the early years of his teaching career, Mr. Ruff taught high school sciences at Avon High School in Avon, Indiana, including earth/space science, applied physics, physical science, environmental/health science, and chemistry. In the course of his time at Avon High, his exceptional teaching skills helped increase the enrollment in his earth space science class by 200%.
Sam Ruff next accepted a posting to the role of Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at Cascade High School in Clayton, Indiana. In this position, he was responsible for supervising the technology team, planning for emergency-response preparedness, hiring athletic coaching personnel, and administrating various student policies. As a former successful student wrestler, Mr. Ruff also served as the high school wrestling coach for many years. Someday, he hopes to have the opportunity to teach overseas.
Apart from his professional pursuits, Sam Ruff participates in several high-endurance outdoor activities, including mountain biking, adventure racing, and hiking. Some of his mountain biking routes have included the trails around Mount Hood in Oregon, as well as the week-long San Juan hut-to-hut expedition from Durango, Colorado to Moab, Utah.
In the future, Sam Ruff plans to participate in the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, a fund raising event which helps raise money for fitness projects and various youth programs in Indianapolis. Team Sasquatch, his adventure racing team, competes in events of at least two endurance sports, such as orienteering, cross-country running, and climbing. Mr. Ruff also enjoys mountain biking and kayaking, and is eager to take part in many more exciting competitions with his teammates.