English teacher Natasha Ritchie’s classroom, decorated with posters showcasing scenes from books such as “The Great Gatsby” and “The Things They Carried,” has become a second home for her students over the past 10 years. Ritchie’s enthusiastic smile greets her junior students as they enter her room, looking forward to the day’s discussion centered around the literature they’re studying.
As a result of her efforts, Ritchie was recently named the district teacher of the year for 2016-2017. She was nominated for the award by fellow teachers.
In mid-April, teachers from the Media Arts Program and Ritchie’s fifth-period English 11 Honors class congratulated Ritchie by surprising her in her classroom and having senior Nina Nelson, one of Ritchie’s former students, sing “Stand By You” by Rachel Platten.
“I definitely cried my eyes out. It was very thoughtful and sweet,” Ritchie said. “The award itself was a huge honor, but to learn about it that way was really cool, and there still is some shock.”
Ritchie began to teach in 2003 at Scotts Valley High School, later switching to SHS in the fall of 2005 as an English 9 and 12 teacher. She teaches English 11 Honors and English 11 MAP classes.
In her teenage years, she loved animals and was interested in becoming a veterinarian or biologist, but she later chose to teach high school literature after eliminating possible careers in politics and law.
“I didn’t want to teach at a university because I felt like the professors were often very separated from students,” Ritchie said. “After working as a TA in college, I found out that my super nerdy passion of reading and writing could actually be a job, and it’s weird because I have exactly the perfect job for me.”
This “jigsaw, jagged path” of choosing a career has led Ritchie to have conversations about inspiring literature with her students. In particular, she loves teaching and supporting young adults, as well as knowing that her job matters and helps the community.
“I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award,” senior Isa Berardo said. “[Ritchie’s] love for her students shines through in everything she does; [she’s] someone to look up to. Her door is always open and she is always there if you need someone to talk to.”
While teaching humanities, Ritchie enjoys keeping her teaching fresh by using recent articles she finds on Facebook or in The New Yorker.
“What’s so great about the curriculum is that I loved being a student, and you can basically continue to learn as a teacher,” Ritchie said. “It’s really nurturing and rewarding in your mind to get to do something that makes you think.”