NHS’ “Mr. Fix-It,” Wabuda, Leaves Lasting Impact with Little Time
WOODBURY – With the sudden departure of the Nursery-Landscape teacher, NHS principal Dr. Mykal Kuslis had to think fast of who could possibly fit the criteria to teach the class for the final weeks of high school. Without a doubt, the first person to come to his mind was someone “who could fix anything.”
Russ Wabuda.
A Love for Teaching
Wabuda, who has been teaching since 1981, officially retired three years ago from Platt Tech in Milford. In well over 40 years of teaching, there is nothing that he hasn’t seen–or fixed. Out of the love and passion for teaching students, Wabuda didn’t hesitate to volunteer himself to take over the position.
“I didn’t want to leave the students in the dust,” says Wabuda who arrives to campus each morning in his iconic 90s Ford Ranger while he dons a unmistakable shirt and tie. “When I heard the position was in need of being filled temporarily, I wanted to make sure the kids got what they deserved and to be able to use the equipment with what little time is left in the year.”
Wabuda’s classroom is far more than a place where you simply learn a subject: his students are engrossed in it. He challenges his students to grow as individuals, challenging them to develop their maturity and skill. Every single day, no matter if the weather is dreary or conducive to outdoor lessons, when his students walk into the classroom Wabuda makes it known that he is going to try his best to make sure everyone is ready to walk the stage of graduation when their time comes.
“I have personally grown my character due to Wabudas teaching habit, ” says Jon Eschmann, a member of Wabuda’s junior/senior landscape class. “I have learned to appreciate the little things in life and try to do my best with every task I am given because he emphasizes to always put your best foot forward. Whenever we make a mistake, he never holds it against us and helps us fix it so we don’t repeat it in the future.”
With a new, original quote written on the whiteboard everyday, Wabuda loves to share his “words of wisdom” at the beginning of class. To go along with this, sometimes he will include a brief, intriguing story related to the quote, helping his students stay on the right path and avoid “stupid” mistakes he’s seen others make far too many times.
“My students are incredible people and are capable of doing incredible things,” says Wabuda, peering over his glasses while scanning his classroom filled with quotes from days past.” If they were my grandchildren, I would be a very proud man. They are absolutely fantastic.”
A Knack for Hard Work
Teaching isn’t Wabuda’s only passion, though. Wabuda was born, raised and currently still living on a dairy farm in Shelton that has been around in his family for generations and generations. He used to milk cows everyday during his high school and college years, building a “knack” for hard work.
“Cows are extremely dependent on you and everything you do for them,” says Wabuda who for years tended to his own cattle before a day of teaching. “It is important that you be on time for them to make sure they are satisfied and stay healthy. I view my students in the same way, that they are dependent on everything I do for them and I am vital for their success.”
Farmers are known not only for their hard work, but also the lifelong skill of fixing anything and everything on their own. A Swiss Army Knife skill set that comes with life running a farm. It is a vital part of being able to save money and time when dealing with large numbers of crops or animals to keep the job going. This is where Wabuda got the reputation of being able to fix anything.
“When Wabuda stepped out of retirement and into [our] landscaping [class], he was able to establish a calm learning environment that gave us the ability to learn at a consistent rate,” says NHS agriscience senior Raymond Lomax. “His tranquil and patient demeanor has really helped me learn to not only work harder but always show the best in myself.”
Since being responsible for fixing a large number of farm equipment including tractors, cultivators, plows and much more, he has seen everything that could possibly go wrong with this equipment. With that being said, this further enforces that he was the perfect person to have come in and teach a class all about operating, fixing and maintaining equipment with such short notice.
A Short Time but a Lasting Impact
Unfortunately, as the adage goes, all good things must come to an end. For Wabuda, however, his final goodbye to teaching won’t only be emotional because he is leaving, but because of the joy of all the fond memories that his classes created.
Wabuda won’t leave without saying goodbye, though. He made sure to leave his students with one final piece of advice that they should never forget.
“The most important people in life are those who you have not met yet,” says Wabuda, noting that students will find opportunities in the most unlikely of places.
For any instructor, it’s hard to pinpoint a specific moment as a favorite over a long career. To sum up his time at Nonnewaug High School one last time, Wabuda will fondly remember his experience with each and every one of his students.
“For me everyday was special, ” says Wabuda, as he recalls each unique experience. “No two days were the same. Everyday included an event that gave me more faith in not only my students but future generations to come.”
