He's in the Air Force now

Last Thursday high school math teacher and U.S. Air Force reservist, Mike Rouse, was called into service by the air national guard. Rouse will be at McChord for at least 45 days. Until he gets back, a yellow ribbon will hang on the Blaine high school flagpole.

“This was the farthest thing from my mind,” said high school principal Dan Newell, “I had no idea I would lose an instructor to potential war. In this day and age we are so civilized this should not have been possible..”
Rouse will spend 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week locating and identifying all aircraft west of the Mississippi River. “I suspected I might get called up, especially since my job is directly related to airspace defense.” said Rouse. Eleven years ago Rouse joined the Air Force but decided he wanted to to work with kids. “I enjoy working with them everyday,” he said. “ I feel like I am doing something important and I get the satisfaction of being in kids’ lives.”

Rouse’s wife, Shawna, will take over his class until he returns back to school. Shawna is a part-time math teacher at Blaine high schoolwho will be temporarilly replaced by a substitute. “The kids will love my wife and will hate to have me back.” Rouse said. .

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