SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Renee Richard believes one of the greatest things about teaching is never knowing exactly how — or when — you might impact a student’s life.

Richard, who joined Spanish Fort High School in August as a history teacher and junior varsity volleyball and soccer coach, is by no means a novice, bringing with her 17 years of teaching experience and 10 years as a coach.

“I had this one student, a girl, and every time I pulled out a map in class, she’d groan and carry on, and I finally told her that every time she complained I was just going to bring another map out until she finally stopped,” Richard said.

Fast-forward several years, and Richard said the same girl — now a college graduate — drove up to her while she was working traffic duty and told her former teacher she passed collegiate-level world geography because of what she learned in Richard’s class.

“There’s just no way to really explain how that feels,” Richard said. “I always hope the kids remember me for what they learned and that they enjoyed learning it.”

Richard, a Louisiana native, earned her bachelor’s degree in communications and photography from Northwestern State University in her home state and another in secondary education with a focus on social studies from the University of West Florida in Pensacola.

Coaching basketball and softball brought Richard to Alabama, and she most recently spent 14 years at Mobile’s McGill-Toolen High School.

On her new home at SFHS, Richard said one word sums it up: Awesome.

“Everyone is so nice. The students are very laid back and polite. All my co-workers seem like they love to be here, and they come to work early. It’s just been great,” she said.

Of course, 18 years teaching has taught Richard a thing or two about managing a classroom.

“If you treat the students with respect, they respond,” said Richard, who enjoys incorporating a variety of activities and methods into her lesson plans including technology, art, photography, writing, reading and listening skills.

“I’ve found that if you mix things up — not just the content, but even switching between individual and group instruction — it really strengthens theirs skills across the board and makes them more flexible,” she said.

And communication is key to keeping things running smoothly in her classes, Richard said, encouraging parents to stay in touch and come to her with any concerns.

“They’ll find that I’m fair and easy to work with. I really just try to tackle any problems before they arise,” she said.   

Editor’s Note: This is the final installment of a series designed to introduce readers to some new faces in the Spanish Fort feeder pattern.