After 31 years of teaching at Atherton, one of Atherton’s favorite math teachers is retiring!

Jeaneen Aldridge has only taught at Atherton, joining in the school year 1995-1996. While in the beginning Aldridge was hired as a math and science teacher in Physics and Algebra 1, the majority of her career has been only math. For her final year she is teaching Adv. Algebra 2 and IB Analysis Year 1.

Aldridge began teaching after attending career counseling through the University of Louisville, where teaching was suggested as a suitable career.

“I always liked school and I wasn’t entirely sure what career I wanted. After I graduated I did career counseling through the University of Louisville and they said that teaching would be a good career for me,” Aldridge said.

Throughout her career, Aldridge has enjoyed watching the students succeed.

“My favorite part would have to be the students and seeing them grow up. I think part of the fun in teaching is getting to see how students grow, change, and evolve,” said Aldridge.

While Aldridge struggles to distinguish a favorite memory, she was more involved towards the beginning of her career.

“I have a lot of great memories from teaching. I don’t know if I could identify one as being my favorite. I’ve always enjoyed when I first started teaching. I was the junior class sponsor for many years, and I had fun working with class officers and students to organize prom and homecoming dances and different school activities. I also coached Quick Recall for a number of years and I really enjoyed doing that as well,” Aldridge said.

For Aldridge, her retirement brings a variety of feelings.

“Retirement is bittersweet. I really enjoyed my 31 years here, and it’s gone by really fast. I’m going to be sad to not be part of this community anymore, so it will be different, but I’m also excited. I’m looking forward to getting to sleep in late,” Aldridge said.

Alexander Glass (10) has been in Aldridge’s algebra 2 class for a year, with his brothers having taken her class before. Glass has come away with many pleasant memories from Aldridge’s class, not being able to separate one from the rest.

“I don’t think I have a favorite memory. I just enjoy everything about her class. Everything is my favorite instead of one thing. For example, when we would stop class early and us all just talk about whatever,” said Glass.

Glass is going to miss Aldridge once she retires, wishing he had made more memories.

“I don’t know if there’s a math teacher that I like as much as Ms. Aldridge. I wish that I made more memories with Ms. Aldridge than I did. I’m going to miss her,” Glass said.

Nathan Cano (10) has known Aldridge for a year, also taking Algebra 2 this year. Cano’s favorite part of Aldridge’s class has been the diversity of the subjects he has learned.

“My favorite part of the class is definitely the creativity and depth that the class goes into. Ms. Aldridge really brings out a learning in us that can never be brought out in any other class. From all these stories to learning about math theories and all of that, Ms. Aldridge has been such a great teacher and it’s just been enjoyable to learn all of these in her class,” Cano said.

Cano will also miss Aldridge, wishing her happiness in her future.

“It saddens me to see Ms. Aldridge go. She has provided and blessed me with so many memories that I will never forget in my entire life. I’m happy for her. She deserves the rest of her life off after having to deal with me for a couple months. All I’ve got to say is happy wishes to Ms. Aldridge. May she never forget our class, for we will never forget her,” said Cano.

While not having a definite plan for retirement, Aldridge plans to explore her different interests.

“I haven’t had time to think about my plans that much. I’ve got a lot of hobbies that I’m looking forward to having time to do. I like gardening, knitting, and crocheting. I would probably like to go back to UofL and take some classes,” Aldridge said.

If Aldridge were to give advice to her students, it would be to enjoy and cherish your friends from high school.

“Try to make the most of your time in high school. Try new things and meet new people. Use this time to explore and grow. Hopefully you will make a lot of happy memories and stay in touch with your friends from high school after you graduate; Be purposeful about that because it’s really easy to drift away,” Aldridge said.

The Aerial wishes Ms. Aldridge a happy retirement! Thank you for 31 years!