Mr. Rüdiger hails from Appalachia where he published his first poem when he was 7. Poetry took him to Syracuse University as a private student of acclaimed poets Tess Gallagher and Hayden Carruth. After earning a dual degree in creative writing and

journalism, he moved to Austria to work as a Fulbright teaching assistant and later as a speechwriter at the Japanese Embassy. He first joined SEEQS as a substitute teacher. Outside of SEEQS, Mr. Rüdiger loves spending time with his husband Ben and their

daughter Ellen and being a volunteer co-editor of the “Chasing The Light” column in Midweek.

“I work at SEEQS because I root for young people to celebrate who they are and

embrace their talents and gifts. I believe in you.”