Dave Rautmann’s love of teaching began when he was a teen-ager. He taught swim lessons when he was 16 and began coaching youth swim programs at age 18. This fall, he will teach physical education at Mosaic, A2 and Jackson.
Dave is a native of Sheboygan. He is a graduate of South High School, where he was a swimmer and played tennis. He earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He holds a master’s in education degree from National Louis University and has completed coursework for a health education degree through the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Dave, 34, has been with the Sheboygan Area School District for seven years. Before joining the SASD, he taught K-8 physical education and seventh- and eighth-grade health in Appleton.
He also spent a lot of time coaching before his children were born. He coached age-group swim teams in Kohler for four years, served as assistant swim coach for South boys for two years and for South girls for four years and was assistant track coach for three years at South.
“After having children, I decided to take a break from coaching to spend more time with my family,” he said.
He and his wife, Tina, have three children. Madelyn is 5, Grace is 3 and Aiden is 1. Tina spent 10 years teaching before the couple made the decision this year for her to stay home full-time with their children. Madelyn will start half-day kindergarten in the fall at Pigeon River, and Grace and Aiden will be keeping Tina on the run at home.
Dave said teaching physical education is a perfect fit for him because he enjoys teaching youth about the benefits of keeping their bodies healthy.
“It is a lifestyle for me, and I want to share it,” explained Dave, whose workout routine includes weightlifting four times a week and cardio activities - biking, swimming or running - four times a week.
He loves “just about everything outdoors,” including biking, running, hiking, water skiing, swimming, in-line skating, ice skating and cross-country skiing.
Dave said the key to maintaining any exercise routine is to find something that you like to do and then set aside time to do it.
“Exercise is a component that everybody needs, and it can start with a simple walk after dinner,” he explained.
Dave’s family likes to hike and swim together. He encourages families to commit to exercising together. “Starting these healthy habits now as a family will be the things kids will remember and take with them throughout their lives.”
