The Good Trouble Questionnaire
Dottie Gruhler, Washington County Registered Behavior Technician
Pangborn Elementary’s Dottie Gruhler makes good trouble in Washington County. She is a community organizer and founder of the county-based Rising to Learn. and WCParents on Facebook.
What do you love the most about public schools? Our public schools are wonderfully vast fields of hope; they are gardens of the future. To be a part of something so profound is an honor. I never forget my mission is to serve students.
What issues agitate you most about public schools? How conventional schooling has made it hard for the garden to grow. Some seeds need to be lined up in a neat row and others need to grow like wildflowers. You can do both, but we are gripped with the fear of extreme political rebuke.
What are your current projects? I believe there are leadership ladders for education support staff. The only thing stopping this type of growth is the establishment. I’m trying to change that.
A non-profit I created called Rising to Learn (risingtolearn. com) empowers parents with understanding and knowledge of our school system and advocates for important issues.
I’m thrilled to be in my first year on the WCESP Board of Directors. I’m looking forward to bringing the ESP Bill of Rights to life in Washington County by establishing rights, dignity, and fair treatment for all ESPs.
What’s your secret sauce to making change? Change can happen in big and little ways. In both instances, it’s realizing that sometimes staying the same costs more than changing. Some change requires marches; others require quiet conversations. Either way, it’s important to help folks out of their comfort zone in the way that works best for them.
How are you preparing for the upcoming elections in your county? We’ve been working with several local leadership groups and, with support from MSEA and others, organizing to help restore balance to our county commissioners and school boards.
How do you start difficult conversations with folks you know you disagree with? Balance. We have become a country of extremes. We must start in neutrality and work to a place as close to balancing that scale as possible. It’s important to set these expectations from the start.
Who is your activist hero? Why? As much as I love John Lewis, every time a citizen puts themselves out there to fight for others—I see a hero.
When did you first realize you had power and that your voice truly matters? When I ran for the school board over 12 years ago and lost. I learned I have more power off the board than on and have run with that ever since.
What keeps you doing this work when it’s hard? My school principal Raegon Clutz is my biggest cheerleader. He doesn’t just offer his praise, he’s supported me and has been actively involved in my journey.
What kind of world do you want to leave for the next generation? One where balance has become the goal. If in any situation we could strive for balance instead of winning, the world would be a better place.
What one thing do you wish elected leaders and the public understood about your job? It’s not a job, it’s a necessity. Start treating education like our society depends on it, and you will start to see positive change.