Adult Profiles
RETIRING NORTHRIDGE TEACHERS REFLECT ON THEIR CAREERS
Ken Ridenour Northridge High School
Q. Tell us about your career in education.
A. I’ve been a classroom Spanish teacher for 34 years. I started my career at Trotwood Junior High where I inaugurated the Spanish program and also coached wrestling. I’ve now been at Northridge High School for 21 years. During my time here, I was the yearbook adviser for a number of years and have also been a Muse Machine adviser for about 15 years. I also announce football and basketball games.
Q. How has education changed from when you first started? A. Probably one of the biggest changes from when I first started teaching is all the emphasis on high stakes testing. There is also much more emphasis on technology. Going from being in the classroom every day to suddenly doing everything online has been a major shift these last few months. Q. What will you miss most about Northridge?
A. The biggest one is going to be the daily contact with the students and fellow staff. I’ll miss the camaraderie of our staff as well. Northridge has felt like family for me from the beginning and I’ll surely miss that. I’ll also miss hosting the Spanish concert we’ve had for the last 19 years.
Q. What are you looking forward to in retirement?
A. I’m looking forward to being able to spend time with my wife, kids and grandkids as well as traveling to some bucket list destinations. I’m going to love crossing items off the “honey do”list. I’m also looking forward to relaxing, playing some golf, going to baseball games, and NO LESSON PLANS.
Q. What advice can you share with future educators?
A. Let the students know you care about them and are interested in them. Go to a game once in a while. Chaperone a dance or at least stop in for a visit. Focus on what’s important. Connect. Reflect. Relax. Enjoy. Most of all, never forget to breathe.
Vicki Eaton Northridge Middle School
Q. Tell us about your career in education.
A. I have always wanted to be a teacher. I remember playing school with my sister when I was 6. I began teaching in 1991 at a private school. From there I started working in Northridge. I found the perfect place for me. Northridge is a very diverse community and full of loving, caring people. I have been with Northridge Schools for about 28 years. At first I worked with 1-3 grade and then 5-6 grade students with special needs.
Q. How has education changed from when you first started? A. I have seen many changes in schools over the years. The most recent is the importance of focusing on the social emotional needs of the students. I have focused on this since I started teaching, but I am so happy to see the changes happening country, state, and system-wide. The district has had much training on focusing on the whole child, using empathy and practice to help change unwanted behavior without the use of punitive punishment and shaming. Northridge takes every child to heart.
Q. What will you miss most about Northridge?
A. I am going to miss the people I have worked with, who have brought me smiles and laughter. That includes all the students I have been lucky enough to work with.
Q. What are you looking forward to in retirement?
A. I can’t wait to spend time with my grown children and grandchildren. There are so many awesome places in the world to visit. I’ve got to start thinking of where to go first.
Q. What advice can you share with future educators?
A. For those thinking of becoming a teacher, my advice is to be flexible, take time to laugh and smile. Yes, it is a hard job. Just keep your heart open to the students who need you. Oh yes, and teach!