lrasnake@russell.k12.va.us  

    A native of Russell County, Mr. Rasnake graduated from Cleveland High School in 1967.  He attended Clinch Valley College in Wise, Virginia, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in math.  He taught at Pound, Virginia, in Wise County from 1971-1981.  In 1976 he completed a Master of Education degree in Elementary and Secondary Principalship and Supervision.  Returning to Russell County, he taught math in the Russell County School System from 1984-2001.  For twenty years of his teaching career, he drove school buses for the county.  He has been the principal of Cleveland Elementary School since 2001.

      Mr. Rasnake’s love of farming was evident at an early age.  As a member of the Future Farmers of America in high school, he placed seventh in the state livestock judging competitions in 1966 and was named a State Farmer with the FFA in 1967.  In 1984 he purchased a forty-four acre farm in Hansonville and continues to enjoy the challenges and satisfaction of farming.  He is presently the president of the Russell County Farm Bureau.

      This year, 2011-2012, marks year number 41 in education for Mr. Rasnake.  His varied experiences have framed the educational leader he is today…from the athletic high schooler who played basketball and baseball and was SCA president to being a school principal in the same building where he graduated from high school.  And, if you happen to be in the building during after-school hours, you might hear the strains of a gospel or mountain melody wafting through the hallways as Mr. Rasnake plays his autoharp, a gift from his lovely wife Patti, who is herself a great supporter of Cleveland Elementary.

      Mr. Rasnake is dedicated to providing a safe, engaging learning environment for each individual child.  He recognizes the importance of parents in the education process and encourages parental involvement through the established Volunteer Program, the Parent-Teacher Organization, and various activities throughout the school year.  He, along with the school’s dedicated teachers and support staff, has high expectations for excellence in education for every student at Cleveland Elementary.