Irene M. Rugloski Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Irene M. Rugloski Memorial Scholarship Fund was created in honor of Irene, a former ISD 181 special education teacher. The fund, established by her family in 2020, is intended to support Brainerd High School graduates who wish to pursue a career in special education.

Personal: Irene’s highest priorities included her Christian faith, her family and her students. Irene was a very active member of St. Francis Catholic Church in Brainerd. She and her husband John raised five children: Ann, Patrick, Ramona, Bruce and Sara. Despite suffering a major stroke and becoming paralyzed in 1964 (at the age of 33), Irene successfully chose to return to teaching after having their fifth child.

Education/Career: Irene earned her degree from St. Cloud State University in 1958. She worked as a special education teacher for Brainerd School District for 30 years, retiring in 1990. Irene spent the majority of her career at Baxter Elementary School. She had a deep passion for working with students with special needs, especially in the area of learning disabilities and reading. Irene worked in a small classroom, supporting and encouraging students to grow their skills. Although she was employed as a part-time educator, Irene was often found working into the evening hours at home, creating materials and lesson plans for her students. Her calm, patient and compassionate nature had a lifelong impact on her students. Family members often witnessed Irene’s former students thank her for all she did for them. Still today, both former students and their parents will fondly, and sometimes emotionally, share stories with her family about the help, support and kindness she provided to them.