What follows is Angela Rucker’s Biography, written by Angela herself.
I was born and raised in Florissant Missouri, a middle-class suburb in St. Louis. Both of our parents were educated. Our mother was a dedicated social worker, and our father graduated from Morehouse College with a degree in Mathematics. My parents always supported us in everything that we wanted to do. Our mother and father have both passed, God Rest Their Souls.
I am mother to my beautiful 23 year old daughter, Alana. She has just finished college and has started her career as a Dental Hygienist. It became too quiet and I became a mom again. Not the traditional mom and not grand mom, but Doggie Mom. I have a new puppy, Marlow. He is a Yorkie Terrier. He is the cutest.
I migrated to the beautiful city of Atlanta after graduating from Central Missouri State University with a Bachelors’ degree in Business. I pledged Delta Sigma Theta and was elected President of Black Greek Council while at CMSU. I moved from St. Louis to Atlanta and completed my MBA at Mercer University. I have been a Sales Manager, Accounting Supervisor, Human Resources Supervisor and now I have my own tutoring business and work as a full-time teacher. I attended Georgia State University to become a teacher so that I would be more available for my daughter. I decided to get on her schedule. Corporate America’s schedule wasn’t working well for us at the time. It was difficult going to school again with a small child but I did it and I am glad that I did.
I have worked in education for over 20 years. I am now a middle school Special Education Teacher and the best part of my job is helping students to realize their potential and seeing the look in their eyes when they “Get it!” I specialize in helping students with learning disabilities. I started Angels Hands Tutoring to help students and parents. Education is so important and tutoring helps fill some of the gaps in student learning. The parents’ like to know that their child is receiving quality instruction and the students’ want to do well and need help. The students do want to “Get it” She especially loves the relationships that she has developed over the years with the families she has helped through tutoring.
My mother was always worried about my brother, Ivory, once he was diagnosed Paranoid Schizophrenic. She would say I don’t know what is going to happen when I am not here anymore, because Ivory listened to her and respected her. She made him take his medicines, knew when he needed counseling by her or the doctor, went to the doctor with him, and stayed at hospital as long as it took. She and my dad did whatever was required. Ivory and I had good parents. My mother was worried that Ivory would be lost without her and she was right. My sister and I tried to fill in the gaps and let him live with each of us. However, love is not a cure for mental illness. We couldn’t make him take his medicine and living with him became difficult to say the least. Eventually, he went on his own living in hotels and eventually became homeless. We would send money when he called, and pray when he didn’t hear from him. We worried a lot!
Justice For Ivory Rucker 