MIKE CERUTTI

TIM CERUTTI

There are so many of us who learned from Tim and Mike. And it now falls upon us, their former students, friends, and family, to continue to drive the impact that they had on their students’ futures. The Cerutti Family Foundation has a mission to make a positive impact in the lives of students through the funding of scholarships. We fund continuing education scholarships to ensure that teachers can continue their education and remain on the cutting edge of their field. We fund Outdoor School scholarships to make sure that every student has the ability to take advantage of that remarkable program. By partnering together, following the guidelines, visions, and love that Tim and Mike laid out for us, we can continue their work of making the world a better place. The Cerutti Brothers saw the best in everyone and treated all with kindness and respect. The Cerutti Family Foundation is here to honor Tim and Mike’s legacy, their love for teaching, and commitment to creating educational experiences that allowed students and teachers to be the best that they could be.

When asked what he taught, Tim would answer every time “children.” Tim opened his doors once a year for 25 years to his former students, who he felt in his heart were extended family. He took it upon himself to care and learn about every one of his students so he could teach them in the best capacity for them to learn. He wholeheartedly wanted each and every one of his students to succeed in life, and he took it upon himself to be a positive role model, mentor, and friend to them. He inspired his students to follow their dreams and encouraged every goal they set for themselves.

Mike spent a decade teaching in St. Louis City and Parkway Public Schools before becoming a principal.  When reflecting on his career, he stated, “I thought I could run a school that kids liked, that treated kids with respect.  And so I decided to be a principal.  I knew a could run a kinder, gentler school.”  And for the next 20 years in Parkway, he did just that.  Mike genuinely believed in people.  He didn’t feel that being tough on someone made them want to do better, and instead believed he should “tell them they are what you want them to be.”  Mike’s mantra was: Minimize the Criticize, and Raise the Praise.  “I thought that making them think that you believe they could do better, that they could do the right thing, that they could have fun in school, that was important.  I treated my teachers the same way.  I’d tell them all the good things they were doing, and then I’d leave them with one thought, one thing to work on -- just one.  I was a people principal.”  Mike led by example.  His positivity, patience, kindness, and dedication to these core values fostered environments where students and staff were seen, supported, and celebrated every day.