Mrs. Trussell is one of the Freshman Academy teachers here at Atherton, teaching both Algebra 1 and Geometry. She has been teaching for over a decade, and has been at Atherton for three years.

“Honestly, I didn’t enjoy math in high school—it just didn’t click for me at the time,” Trussell said. “However, when I took some math classes at JCTC, something changed. I started to see math in a new way, and I realized I enjoyed it.”

Due to her newfound passion for math, Trussell decided to shift her studies from nursing to education.
“I think it was because I finally had the right environment and approach to see math as more than just formulas—it became a challenge I wanted to understand and help others appreciate, too.”
She received her degree in Liberal Arts at the University of Louisville, and afterwards went straight into earning her masters degree in education. She completed her second masters degree online at Western University Kentucky.
“My favorite part [of teaching] is watching students grow in confidence and understanding. When a student who once struggled with a concept finally masters it, it’s incredibly rewarding. Math can be challenging, but helping students see they can do it is the best feeling.”
Trussell says that students should stay curious when learning, and not be afraid to ask questions.
“Struggling with a concept doesn’t mean you’re bad at math—it means you’re learning. Practice consistently, seek help when needed, and believe in your ability to improve.”