It’s been more than 50 years since Deborah Rader attended a small, kindergarten through second grade school in the Flint area.
‘My first teacher, Catherine Stock, was kind, yet demanding,? said Rader. ‘She lived with our family for awhile and I often pretended I was teaching a class just like Miss Stock did’I knew that’s what I wanted to do.?
Rader’s early desire to educate sparked an ambitious 30-year career that will conclude this June with her retirement from the Brandon School District.
‘I’ve loved every minute of it,? said Rader. ‘But it’s time I moved on to another chapter of my life.?
A Flint native and Atherton High School graduate, Rader attended Flint Junior College, the University of Michigan-Flint, Michigan State University prior to earning an education degree from Eastern Michigan University. She completed a master’s degree in curriculum and leadership from Oakland University in 1983.
Rader worked as a substitute teacher in the Atherton and Goodrich school districts before starting in the Brandon district in 1976 as a fifth grade teacher at Belle Anne Elementary. During her years with the district Rader also served as a learning specialist at other buildings. She became principal of H.T.Burt Elementary in 1993.
‘Education has become more challenging over the years,? said Rader. ‘Times keep changing’you mentor other teachers, parents, kids’yet still maintain a high level of what we come to school for. As educators, we have to keep growing. It’s more than just learning, rather, it’s development of the whole child.?
Her many accomplishments during 13 years as principal include obtaining a grant in 1993 to develop and implement year-round education at H.T. Burt. The three-year, $100,000 per year grant ended with the passage of Proposal A, and the new superintendent rolled grant money into the foundation grant.
‘It was great,? she said. ‘The year-round school was voluntary and really drew the parents into the program.?
During her retirement, Rader plans to visit friends in Australia and later work with state education officials.
‘I don’t want to leave education totally,? she said. I’ll stay in as a volunteer in some capacity.?
‘There’s been a lot of rewarding times over the years. It’s wonderful when students come back and visit.?
Rader is married to Gary and has two sons, Jason and John, as well as a stepson, Michael.