Waldorf middle school's first nurse retires after 28 years

After working in Charles public schools for nearly three decades, Shelley Rutkai, one of the county’s longest standing nurses and the only nurse that John Hanson Middle School has ever known, will retire this summer.

Rutkai, formerly Presnell, grew up in southern Prince George’s County and attended nursing school at The Catholic University of America. Rutkai did not always know she wanted to work in a school, but fell in love with helping students after given the opportunity 28 years ago.

“I like my job because of the kids, and that’s what I’m here for,” she said.

Rutkai began her nursing career in 1980 as a student nurse at Greater Southeast Community Hospital, a not-for-profit public hospital in Washington, D.C., now known as United Medical Center. After graduating with her nursing degree, Rutkai continued to work at the community hospital until 1996.

In February 1996, Rutkai was hired by Charles County Public Schools to work at Mattawoman Middle School, which had just opened the year before. But Rutkai was not there for long.

In April of that same year, Rutkai’s nursing supervisor asked her if she wanted to move to John Hanson Middle School to be that school’s first nurse. A student with diabetes was enrolling and would need daily assistance and care, but since this middle school had never had a nurse, there was no health office.

“This was a vice principal’s office,” Rutkai said. “I got in here and I got a list of stuff together, basic first-aid supplies, and we were off and running.”

The office was originally carpeted and only featured a desk and an old bed that had holes in it. Rutkai said she used to put decorative sheets on the bed to make it more aesthetic for her and the students. The office was not renovated until 2013.

Rutkai said she will never forget that first diabetic student from 28 years ago. The pair would use “old school” methods such as pricking his finger to examine glucose levels because modern technology such as glucose meters and monitoring applications did not exist, she said.

“It was so archaic,” Rutkai said. “Nowadays it’s instantaneous … and for some of these kids, the quality of life has really improved.”

Over the course of decades, Rutkai experienced many changes. One of the biggest ones was the integration of technology into schools.

There were many times when Rutkai said her students helped her navigate her computer and other devices. Now she is constantly reminded of the growing age difference between her and her students, she said, but that has become a cherished aspect as well.

“The kids keep you young,” Rutkai said. “I live vicariously through them.”

Rutkai oversees the health of more than 700 students and all of the middle school’s staff members. In a day, Rutkai said she may see anywhere from 25 to 40 individuals.

It is the students that have kept her at John Hanson Middle, and their well-being means everything to their ability to learn, she said.

“Kids that are not healthy don’t learn,” Rutkai said.

Benjamin Kohlhorst, principal of John Hanson Middle School, has known and worked with Rutkai since 2010.

“[Rutkai] is very diligent in everything she does,” Kohlhorst said. “Her wealth of knowledge in the profession is … irreplaceable.”

Kohlhorst said Rutkai has created a productive environment at the school that is nurturing, but far from coddling. He said she knows how to prioritize students’ health to keep children out of her office and in the classroom.

“I don’t want anyone else. … That’s how important she is to me,” the principal said.

During the summer months Rutkai works at Camp Co-Op, a summer program for students with significant cognitive delays who receive special education services, according to Charles County Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism. Rutkai has participated in this program for the past nine years and said she will continue to keep helping kids make lifelong memories.

“[Camp Co-Op is] so much fun,” she said. “[The students] are allowed the same opportunity of children who don’t have any disabilities. They know that they’re loved.”

Although Rutkai is retiring, she said her journey helping adults and kids is not over, and she will continue to support the health of her community for years to come.