So it's fitting that Rucker, a 28-year resident of Los Gatos and 28-year special day class teacher at Santa Teresa Elementary School in San Jose, received some recent attention. He is this year's recipient of the "Teacher of the Year" award from the Oak Grove School District and the Santa Clara County Office of Education. His nomination for the award was a mutual decision by the district superintendent, special education director and Santa Teresa Principal Julie Craig.

"Everyone with whom I come in contact has nothing to say but positive things about Mike," Craig said. "He addresses the special needs of the students with whom he works with a sense of calmness. He just knows how to accommodate the needs of the children at any given time. He never stops doing what he can to make sure all the kids are included."

Craig described Rucker's energy, passion and individual attention for each of his students. It's a commitment that's easy to see in Rucker as he takes his students to the bus stop every day after school.

"You've always got to keep track of them because you don't want to lose any," said Rucker, hopping on the bus and handing out high fives, saying goodbye to each student personally and making sure they're each present and accounted for.

Rucker said he loves working with special education students because there's no sense with them of "being cool." His first job 28 years ago began at Santa Teresa, and that's where he has stayed all these years.

"The students say what's on their mind, and they are very loving and appreciative," Rucker said. "I started with this population, and I've stayed with this population and somehow I don't get burned out."

He also enjoys teaching his class of 10 fifth- and sixth-grade students for two years at a time, unlike most teachers who only have their students for one year.

"I just love kids. I like the freedom that I'm not as generally supervised as regular education teachers," he said, adding that the smaller class size helps in tailoring his curriculum to meet their needs. "Ten kids is a lot better than 30 kids or 20 kids. I would feel very frustrated with that many kids."

Rucker was distinguished along with 30 other recipients of this award from throughout the county at the 35th annual teacher recognition awards ceremony in September at the San José Repertory Theatre. Many Oak Grove School District staff along with Rucker's classroom assistants surprised him by attending the awards ceremony to support him.

Rucker said he was honored to be selected and that the award was a "good motivator" to keep up the hard work. Rucker said he already feels gratified on a daily basis with his job and by his students, but it was the respect from his colleagues that moved him the most.

"He gives 150 percent every day. He gives every kid an opportunity to succeed within their boundaries," said classroom assistant Joseph Sinn. "That takes a very unique individual. If you ever want to learn something about special education, spend some time in his classroom."

Sinn said Rucker has insight into each child's different disabilities and knows how to be calm and tough with them when necessary. Rucker was described by his co-workers Maxine Rodgers and Donna Sandercock, of Los Gatos, as working his schedule around others, putting in extra hours, and having extreme patience and humbleness.

"His kids always come first," Rodgers said.