By Grace Fetsick

Happy Women’s History Month! As we celebrate inspiring women during this month, here at Rush News we’d like to celebrate some of the women in our school! Michelle Obama said it best when she said, “When girls are educated, their countries become stronger and more prosperous.” Let’s give thanks to a few of the very many incredible women who have made Rush the strong and prosperous place it is. 

Mrs. Bertucci is a fan favorite amongst students, known by most students as Queen B. Most have her as a Spanish 2-3 teacher or an advisor.  She is also the junior class sponsor where she graciously is planning Junior Prom and supporting the prom committee. 

Cynthia Duong praises Bertucci, “Mrs. Bertucci was the first teacher who opened my mind, that I could speak with a teacher comfortably…..The safe space she created for us in the room made me feel very comfortable and safe to speak in class.” Bertucci is known for being a friend to all students and a caring teacher. 

Student Feferi Fiske describes her as, “An intelligent woman who strives to teach her students Spanish while also uplifting the community here at Rush.”  

Mrs. Bertucci attended Temple University where she was a Spanish language major, with a concentration in Latin American Studies. During her studies, she spent a semester in Merida, Mexico.  In 2010 she began her teaching journey in the School District of Philadelphia.  Mrs. Bertucci has opened doors and introduced students into a whole new world.  Her passion is obvious and has been proven to her students.   Bertucci is a well-educated, dedicated woman as well as an inspiring role model to her students. 

Ms. Feder is another “educated queen” as some students call her. Being a multi-talented inspiration, Feder ventured to New York to study law. Practicing law, she served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney.  She sure is special at Rush, teaching the Sociap Science classes as well as offering the new Psychology elective. Feder studied Psychology at Louisiana State University and began her journey into teaching in 2011. Adding to her collection, Ms Feder has a Masters in Education with a concentration in secondary education/social studies. 

Senior Jamie Dawson said, “Ms. Feder is a teacher who not only cares about her students in a way in which she wants them to thrive academically, but she cares about all of us in an emotional way.” 

It’s obvious this outstanding teacher (and lawyer) has truly made a difference. Feder said, “Teaching young people to appreciate living in a democracy, and doing so at Rush, is a dream come true.” She describes, “Without a doubt, [I} find teaching infinitely more rewarding than practicing law.” Feder encourages students to demonstrate democracy and coaches the voting team as well as mock trial. Feder is a supportive voice for all students who have her. 

Everyone’s favorite theatre teacher, Ms. Wojcik (Wo if you know her) is originally from Springfield, Massachusetts. Wojcik is a master in her craft, having studied Theatre, English, and Secondary Education at Albright College where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and with Departmental Distinction. She then went on to spend time at the National Theatre Institute in Waterford, CT as well as Arden Theatre Company in the Arden Professional Apprentice Program. She continued to get her Master’s degree from Temple University. Wojcik produces the annual student production of Short and Sweet as well as the Senior play.  She continuously inspires her students, installing confidence in them and their abilities.   

After having Wojcik as a teacher for four years, Tal Ben-Ammar claims, “with the way that Wo teaches, you always learn and grasp more than just theatre, you get a new perspective, a new sense of life.”  Ms. Wojcik has made a lasting impact on her students and their creative arts.  “Wo isn’t just a teacher, Wo is a role model, a friend, a mother, and most of all she is an inspiration.” 

This year we welcomed the amazing Ms. Parenti to the Rush community.  She received a Bachelor’s degree in Math Education (fun fact: she was a teacher first!) from Boston University and continued to earn a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology from Rosemont College. Parenti serves as our school counselor and offers students resources for positive improvement. Parenti admits, “Supporting students will always be a highlight for me.”  

Ms. Parenti applied to over 15 schools, “but when [she] came for a visit, [she] knew this was the school for [her].”  Parenti believes it was a true gift to end up at rush and feels grateful to be part of this community.  She strives to help  students in their academic and career journey.  To be an example for students that you can achieve great things even when faced with bumps in the road.  

When asked about her experience facing hardships and adversity, she replies, “There will be adversities in this career and in most careers, but it is how you respond to those difficulties that defines you…I also accept that I am not perfect and a work in progress. If I make a mistake, my goal is to improve and be more purposeful next time.”  

Very well said.  Having heard this, it is obvious why Parenti is an inspiration to rush students. Parenti’s motto is, “prepare for the worst and hope for the best.”  Which she certainly does instill hope into her students.  We are honored to have Ms. Parenti as part of our community. 

We can’t talk about empowering women at Rush without mentioning the woman in charge, Dr. Bailey.  Dr. Bailey is an author, educator, public figure, and motivational speaker.  Her work goes beyond Philadelphia into areas such as South Africa and India.  Bailey, who has been recognized on The Kelly Clarkson Show for her outstanding leadership, was on the segment “Best In Class.” Clarkson acknowledged Bailey’s achievements by saying, “We are so impressed with how you and your team are changing kids’ lives”  

At News Club, we couldn’t agree more.  Dr. Bailey was the one to approve News Club’s recurring segment, The Spotlight.  She continues to support us and our vision.  Dr. Bailey sure knows how to be an outstanding principal. This esteemed principal received her degree from Delaware State University for undergrad (double major in Print Journalism and English Education) and Temple University for her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in African American Studies with a concentration in Education.  Bailey surely deserves her flowers.  

She claims her love of music and the arts brought her to Rush, gratefully so.  When speaking upon adversities, Bailey states, “Although there are moments of adversity I still face as an African American woman, I faced so much adversity in the earlier years primarily because of my young age.”  Bailey adds an interesting take on the obstacles she has overcome to become the prominent figure we see her as. Dr. Bailey ends with,  “I have to remember to make sure I am empathetic and compassionate when it comes to older people and my students who are very young. I have to make sure I am giving them the voice that was never given to me.”  Dr.Bailey provides a voice for all her students and those who come to her.   She continuously offers support and proves she truly cares about all her children.  We are honored to have this icon of a woman be the face of our school. 

To all the women here at Rush who are as follows,  Ms. Kates, Dr. Bailey, Ms. Wojcik, Mrs. Bertucci, Ms. A Davis, Ms.Spencer,  Ms.T Davis, Nurse Judy, Ms. Rose, Ms. Henshaw, Ms. Bachman, Ms. Bateman, Ms. Feder, Ms. Drumel, Ms. Parenti,  Ms. Merkins, Roberson, Officer Gillespie, Ms. Sue, Ms. Nicole, Ms. Farhana, and every woman who has made an impact on rush.  Thank you.  Happy Women’s History Month!