Teaching with the Stars

Head of science department voted S.C.'s recipient of American Stars of Teaching award

MOUNT PLEASANT — The pomp of the ceremony didn't match the personality of Wando High School teacher Ruth Truluck.

Even as the deputy secretary for the U.S. Department of Education explained the reasons why Truluck was the one teacher out of the state's 51,000 who was being recognized, the modest-as-can-be educator just shook her head.

"This is just unbelievable," she said afterward. "I've done nothing extraordinary."

Truluck learned Tuesday that she was South Carolina's recipient of the 2008 American Stars of Teaching award. One teacher in every state will receive the federal award, which goes to those who have been successful in improving academic performance and in making a difference in students' lives. Anyone can nominate teachers for the award, and a committee of former teachers selects the recipients.

The award came as a surprise to

Truluck, who thought she was going to the school's auditorium for some sort of Department of Education presentation. The school's show choir and symphonic band, both dressed in their best, performed in front of a crowd of Truluck's students and colleagues. A number of local, state and federal officials also were on hand.

Officials chose Truluck because of her innovative instructional strategies and commitment to ensuring students succeed in science and life. They highlighted her unique assignments, such as one that used pulverized strawberries and ethanol to study the structure of DNA.

Truluck has taught in Charleston County for more than 30 years, which means she's eligible for retirement. But she said she doesn't plan on leaving the classroom anytime soon because she likes what she does so much.

Still, the moment was bittersweet for Truluck. The person who nominated her was friend and former Wando High teacher Julie Cliff, who didn't attend because her son had just been killed while serving in the Army in Afghanistan.

In a letter to Truluck, Cliff wrote: "You are a truly gifted and inspiring teacher who has positively influenced the lives of innumerable students and colleagues through the years. Your down-to-earth logic, creative thinking and unmatched insight have been invaluable to me on too many occasions to count."

Those who know Truluck, who heads up the school's science department, couldn't say enough good about her.

Junior Alex Ortiz failed biology last year and is taking it again this year. This time, his teacher is Truluck, and he said he's "actually doing pretty good." He said he owed a big part of his improvement to Truluck.

She relates classroom concepts to real life, and that makes them easier to understand, he said. When she calls on someone in class, she doesn't accept "I don't know" as an answer, he said. She'll continue to give students hints and prompts to help them correctly answer the question, he said.

"She brings stuff down to your level and helps you out," Ortiz said.

Principal Lucy Beckham said she relies on Truluck for advice, and teacher Betsy Wilson described Truluck as someone the other teachers respect.

"She's the one who brings out the best in you," Wilson said. "She's the best."

Reach Diette Courrégé at 937-5546 or dcourrege@postandcourier.com.