Here at Olympia, Mr. Raulerson is now known for teaching stats, but he is most proud of his achievements in relation to his expertise in STEM, which he had his students highlight in an assignment. He reflects on the opportunities he is so grateful for, and continuously thanks his students for their encouragement and support, which is seen throughout this message from him.
I am grateful for the opportunity to share a milestone that has come about through the encouragement of my Honors Statistics students. As part of their studies, they challenged me to look more closely at my journey in academic competition and to compare it beyond the state level.
Last year, during the May 13th Board of Education recognition meeting, it was shared that I had achieved the most consecutive state championships in core academic (STEM) subjects in Florida (196,000 Professional Teachers). That moment was both humbling and affirming, not as a personal achievement alone, but as a reflection of the many students, colleagues, and schools I have had the privilege to work with over the years.
As part of a class assignment, my Honors Statistics students conducted independent research to see how this record was compared nationally. Based on the information they were able to gather; they concluded that my 14 consecutive state championships in core academics proved to be the most in the United States of America (4.5 million Professional Teachers). Second place belongs to Dale Adamson of Howard D. McMillion Middle School in Miami Dade with 8 consecutive state championships in (STEM).Furthermore, they even applied probability concepts to the findings, emphasizing how rare such an outcome might be. While those numbers are meaningful academically, I view them simply as a reminder of what consistent effort, teamwork, and belief can produce over time.
None of this would have been possible without the foundation laid in my life through service. I am deeply thankful for the men and women of the United States Military, whose example and training helped shape me into the person and educator I am today. I also carry a deep sense of responsibility to represent veterans, active-duty service members, and fellow educators—especially those who are underrepresented in our profession. Black males only represent 1% the total teaching population and military veterans only represent 2% of the total teaching population.
I would also like to sincerely thank Mr. Craig Garrison, whose leadership and vision many years ago challenged me to begin this journey. His belief in my vision helped open doors that have led to opportunities not only for me, but for countless students. I hope he is enjoying a well-earned retirement in Thailand.
More than any recognition or statistic, the moments that stay with me most are the words and growth of my students. One student once shared a lighthearted comment that I will never forget: “There are two goats on Olympia’s campus. One lives with the chickens and the other teaches in Room 545.” While said in humor, I received it as a reflection of the impact a teacher can have in the lives of students.
At the end of the day, any success I have experienced is the result of a collective effort—students who committed themselves, schools that provided support, and mentors who offered guidance. I remain thankful to be part of that journey and look forward to continuing the work of helping students reach their fullest potential.
Humbled, Grateful, Proud and Blessed.
