Mindy Ridings

Mindy Riding is an English teacher who teaches English 1 and 2. She hopes her students remember her as someone who held them to high expectations and someone who cared about them.

Why did you choose to teach the subject/class that you teach?

• “I chose to teach English because I always enjoyed writing, and I had teachers along the way who told me I was good at it, which gave me confidence. I’ve always enjoyed reading and writing.”

What is your favorite class to teach and why?

• “I teach English 1 and 2, which are basically the same. I enjoy teaching students how to write, and I really like using podcasts and stories from The Moth Radio Radio Hour on NPR.”

How do you remember all of your students’ names?

• “This year, I had students make name tents that they displayed all week for me. I also ask them to keep the same seats for a while, and I try to greet everyone at the door to practice saying names. I also walk around to take attendance so I can mess up names privately instead of in front of the whole class.”