Most teachers have students who are too shy to raise their hands in class.
Ross Raderstorf doesn't appear to have that problem. The developmentally disabled students he works with at Homer Davis Elementary School, 4250 N. Romero Road, thrust their arms in the air so fast, it looks like they're racing to see who will be picked.
Raderstorf is one of seven local teachers selected for the 2006 Rodel Charitable Foundation of Arizona's Exemplary Teacher Initiative, from a field of 1,000 Tucson teachers. The foundation honors educators who excel in high-poverty schools. The teachers receive $10,000 in savings bonds and will mentor University of Arizona education seniors for three years.
Being a mentor will be nothing new for Raderstorf, 49.
Before he began working as a teacher, he was a counselor for juvenile delinquents. He found himself morphing into an educator without really knowing it.
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"I was with a group of kids and we saw a falcon," he remembered. "Instantly, I said, 'Let's research about falcons.' So we looked up all these interesting things, and I thought about how good it felt to be in that role."
Raderstorf began teaching at Sentinel Peak High School, the alternative high school for Flowing Wells Unified School District students, and eventually moved to Homer Davis, where he's worked for 11 years. All his years at Homer Davis have been spent with special-education students.
"I've always been drawn to the extraordinary," he said. "I've always wanted to work with kids who didn't fit the molds of ordinary teaching."
Besides his work with special-education students, Raderstorf has brought an interest in science back to the school with science fairs and the Weather Team, which examines meteorology at the school and gives reports during the morning announcements.
Raderstorf initiated all this on his own, which amazes Principal Brett Bonner.
"If there were a mold of the ideal teacher, I would make it out of him," Bonner said.
Jasmine Magaña, 12, said her friends are jealous about the fun things she gets to do in Raderstorf's class.
"They say, 'I want to have a class like you have,' " Jasmine said, adding that science is her favorite class.
The small class size — no more than 12 — is what the students say is the biggest benefit of working with Raderstorf.
"I get to learn a lot more than in my regular class," said Isaac Castillo, 11. "He can help us more."
Plus, Isaac added, he knows he'll get called on to help chart a graph on the board or give an answer.
Yes, it's fun, but Raderstorf's kids work hard and they say his dedication has helped them achieve goals. Building their self-esteem, Raderstorf said, is his philosophy to ensure every student's success.
"All kids have gifts," he said. "I have these fresh minds that want to learn."
