Throughout the years it feels like a rare day when Mr. Chris Rundquist doesn’t get cussed out by a student or a parent. At the end of it all, he still loves his job.

His role is: caring educator.

At the beginning of his teaching career, he graduates from North Dakota State University with a Broadfield Social Science major with four minors — one of them being a landscape architect. After college he receives job offers from across the nation, he chooses to work back home in Wisconsin. 

He teaches in many school districts from Wausau to Kimberly to Neenah. While working in Kimberly, not many teachers can say they worked with their hero — working along with his dad, Rundquist Sr.

They thrive working together for 10 years as dad passes the torch to son.

A job opening comes up in the Neenah Joint School District. Rundquist is one of 350 applicants. Principal Mark Duerwaechter calls Rundquist personally in confirmation that he gets the job.

That call – 25 years ago illustrates value.

Getting the job at NHS shows him that the Mecca of schools in the Fox Valley wants him.

Rundquist is popular with staff and students. He earns teacher of the year status at the previous campus and continues to trumpet Wisconsin history and values.

Currently, he notes some concerns that he observes at the new high school. He questions the lack of creativity in the school building, which has the potential to drain the life out of the students. The building does not incorporate a Wisconsin mindset like Frank Lloyd Wright.

Working here for 25 years, he offers insight into a few problems within the field of education. He believes schools can better the trades, such as the woods, the mechanics, the welding or the culinary.

He encourages focus on the students who aren’t going to college to produce functioning humans after they graduate. 

“One thing that everyone should know is that everyone’s role matters.”