A new year means new beginnings, but not just for students. While seniors enter their last year of high school and freshmen are learning to navigate the massive building, certain teachers are also entering the crowded chaos known as North Atlanta for the first time. Amongst the buzzing hallways and crowded elevators, the new staff members are confidently beginning their first weeks of school with determination, regardless of the obstacles that may come in their way.
North Atlanta has a remarkable structure. Stretching up eleven floors, featuring multiple athletic fields, a gymnasium, and an atrium, it’s hard not to wonder how well new staff adjust to such a large building. For the new Hospitality and Recreation teacher, Mrs. Williams, the stairs are more of a wake-up call than a helpful mode of transportation to her classroom. After teaching at South Atlanta High School for 4 years before her start at North Atlanta, she says that North Atlanta is a school like no other. “I knew North Atlanta was bigger than most schools that I’d ever seen,” said Mrs Willaims. “But to be in the building and adjust to its sheer size– I can say that this building is nothing short of interesting.”
Before joining the Dubs community, many of our favorite teachers and staff came from unique paths – teaching in various schools or leading in different workspaces. Ms. Rife, a new Algebra 1 and Algebra 1 Support teacher, is putting her best foot forward after an extensive 20 years of teaching. “This is my 20th year of teaching. I’ve worked in Gwinnett, Fayette County, Fulton County, Tennessee, and the Department of Education,” said Ms. Rife. “It’s safe to say that I’ve been through just about everything.”
When reflecting on the first couple of weeks at NAHS, Rife seems to have found that the school not only lives up to its solid reputation but outshines her expectations, proving that North Atlanta’s environment is a thriving place for both teachers and students. With an extraordinary variety of learning opportunities and teaching styles, NAHS gives education a new meaning. Ms. Rife said, “The students, the academics, and the IB program are great. When I came here, the reputation came to life because I could see the authenticity of how much the teachers cared for their students.”
To be a teacher means to guide, ignite, and believe in their students. The new additions to the Dubs staff, Ms. Rife and Mrs. Williams, are already making their mark through their undeniable passion and the expertise they are providing in the classroom. There’s no doubt that NAHS is lucky to have them on board, and the Dubs community just got a whole lot stronger.
