A Northwest Indiana Life in the Spotlight: Robert “Bob” DeRuntz

A Northwest Indiana Life in the Spotlight: Robert “Bob” DeRuntz

Robert DeRuntz grew up in Knox, Indiana, and ever since he was little, he knew he wanted to be a teacher. His parents always had a bunch of history books and maps lying around, and he used to spend hours poring over them. He wanted nothing more than to share his love and passion for history with the world, so it came as no surprise when he headed off to Ball State University to earn his bachelor’s in history and education. 

“We can’t possibly understand the challenges that we face as a nation and a society today unless we know where we’ve been and how we got here. We stand little chance of crafting a successful path forward unless we’re honest about our successes, our accomplishments, our innovations, our failures, and our mistakes because they all matter. They’re all a part of our story, and I’m impassioned by that,” said DeRuntz. 

After graduating, DeRuntz went on to earn his master’s degree in history from Purdue University. Once he was finished with his education, he became a history teacher at Chesterton High School and has been there ever since. 

When it came to creating his teaching style, DeRuntz was deeply inspired by two of his past teachers: his eighth-grade history teacher, who used to come to class every day dressed in period clothing, and his high school history teacher, who was so deeply knowledgeable about history his students couldn’t help but appreciate his lessons. 

DeRuntz knew he wanted to follow in his teachers’ footsteps and create an unforgettable learning experience for his students that would help them not just understand but appreciate history. 

“More than anything else, I want my students to leave my classroom with a greater appreciation for history, so I make every effort to approach history in a different way that brings the subject to life and makes it more relevant and connectable to the kids,” said DeRuntz. 

DeRuntz takes a living history approach in his class. Like his eighth-grade teacher, he often comes to class dressed up in period clothing and wielding actual tools people would have carried. In the fall he and his colleague Anna Zervos also recreate a Civil War encampment for the students. 

For two full days at Chesterton High School, it becomes 1862. DeRuntz sets up tents,  equipment, and even an open fire outside the school. Both teachers come dressed in Civil War-era attire and draft the students into the Union Army. 

During the experience, the students are fully immersed in the camp and learn all about the tactics, equipment, and medicine the soldiers had to use. The experience is so special that it led to DeRuntz being selected as the Indiana Outstanding Teacher of American History this year. 

“I think for the students it’s really impressive because they get to actually see, touch, taste, and smell the history. I’ll run into students I had 20 years ago, and the first thing they’ll ask me is if I’m still doing the Civil War camp. It’s just such an immersive experience,” said DeRuntz.

As if all that wasn’t enough, in 2000 DeRuntz started teaching a Trail Bound summer history class with his colleague Jamie Sensibaugh. Each summer, the two teachers gather together a group of students and travel to different parts of the country to let them study in person at national historic sites. Over the last 23 years, DeRuntz has taken his students everywhere from national parks to Civil War battlefields. It’s incredible the lengths DeRuntz has gone to to make sure his students learn as much as they possibly can. 

Overall, DeRuntz’s passion for his students is outstanding. He couldn’t be happier working at Chesterton High School and plans on teaching there for many years to come. 

“I have been very fortunate at Chesterton to be able to teach in such a different way and have the opportunity as a teacher to bring history to life,” said DeRuntz. 

After 28 years of teaching, the best piece of advice DeRuntz can give to someone thinking about going into teaching is to remember how big of an impact you can have on a student’s life. 

“Just be aware that, every single day, you have an opportunity to make a difference in your students’ lives. Part of that comes from what you teach them, but I think it’s the lessons and how we treat them that are even more important. As a teacher, when we make the effort to show our students that we care about them, they are far more willing to invest in what we’re trying to teach them. Great teaching begins with building relationships with your students,” said DeRuntz. 

Not only has DeRuntz strived to make a difference in the lives of his students, but he’s also strived to make a difference in his community. He is currently the co-president and chairman of negotiations for the Duneland Teachers Association, as well as a legislative liaison for the Indiana State Teachers Association. In these positions, he spends a lot of his time representing public education and advocating for the needs of his fellow teachers. 

DeRuntz is also on the board of directors for the Porter County Parks and Recreation Department. He’s learned so much in this role and has immensely enjoyed serving his community. He wants to continue making a difference in his community and is even thinking about running for Porter County Council in the future. 

There are so many people in DeRuntz’s life who have helped him grow into the driven person he is today. Some of the people who have impacted him the most are his fellow teachers–he’s thankful for all the guidance they’ve passed onto him. 

“Every great teacher becomes a great teacher because of what they learn from the people around them. I’ve been so fortunate to have great educators in my life. My colleagues whom I’ve taught with for 28 years are absolutely incredible educators. My wife is the best teacher in our house–she reminds me every single day of how important it is to help kids find their purpose in life,” said DeRuntz. 

DeRuntz is also extremely grateful for his family, who are some of the bravest people he knows. His dad is a Vietnam Veteran and was a steel worker for 40 years to support the family. His mom grew up with next to nothing but worked hard to put herself through college at the University of Notre Dame. Both of his sisters are small business owners back in his hometown. They’ve all taught him so much and he doesn’t know what his life would be like without them. 

“I’ve just had the great fortune of having incredible, exemplary people in my life every step of the way,” said DeRuntz.Like this commentReply