Bridget Bearden, a beloved teacher at JHS, has cultivated strong connections with both sophomores and seniors, as well as her colleagues. It is clear to see that she is able to connect with almost anyone and makes the classroom a fun environment.
“I would say she’s fun, she’s energetic, but she has high expectations. Kids in her class are gonna have a good time, but they’re also going to learn in depth content,” said Jessie Alex, fellow English teacher.
Bearden’s first year at JHS was the 2020-2021 school year. Having this year which was anything other than normal as her first year teaching proved to be a challenge.
“It was definitely an interesting way to start teaching! I was really lucky to come into a building/team that was so helpful with the strange adjustment. All in all- students were great, parents were supportive, and my colleagues were really helpful. Teaching is a strategic dance in pivoting,” Bearden said.
Since then, she has been teaching a variety of English classes including ILA, ALIA, Culture Clash and Creative Writing.
“My favorite thing about her class was how friendly and inclusive she was, but also how she made sure we got our work done,” Mirabel Pinkerton ‘25 said who was in Bearden’s Culture Clash course.
Fostering relationships with students is something that she finds important. Being able to have closer connections with students allows them to feel more comfortable in her teaching environment.
“I love having relationships with the students. I love teaching at the high school level because I feel like you’re adults, and I can tease you a little bit and also have real conversations with you,” Bearden said.
After this school year, Bearden will be leaving the high school to work at the district office as a district coach. She will be working with all new teachers at JHS, JMS, and Summit. Students will remember her for her supportiveness and humor. Her coworkers will also miss her and
“Just knowing that I have not only…a good colleague, but a good friend. She makes it easy to come to work and if I have anything stressful going on she’s one of the first people I go to talk to,” said Alex.
While in the interview process for her position, Bearden was not only impressed by the appearance of the school, but also by the way the staff interacted with eachother.
“I was really impressed when I came to interview. The building…that impressed me right off the bat. I was also really impressed with the panel of teachers who interviewed me and how they all
had differing opinions, but still got along well,” Bearden said.
Teaching wasn’t always what she had planned. Bearden went to college and studied communications and Spanish. She then moved to Boston and was working in publishing.
“We had our daughter, and I was traveling quite a bit, so my husband put in for a transfer to either Minnesota or Iowa, because that’s where our families are, and we got Iowa,” Bearden said.
The move from Boston to Iowa was a big change for Beardens family. Although she left a place where it was an easy trip to the mountains, beaches and being close to a city with lots of culture, for a place a little more calm and not as glamorous.
“Moving to Iowa was an adjustment for certain things- but we gained a lot in our move as well. We love being closer to family and friends, and like getting to explore the midwest as adults. I think that moving away from the midwest made me appreciate things about it that I had overlooked before,” Bearden said.
There will be a lot of things Bearden will miss about teaching, but missing the students stands out to her the most.
“Without question- the thing I will miss most about the high school is working with students every day. It sounds like a cliche answer, but I promise it isn’t. I love all of your quirky ways, the growth I get to see in the classroom, getting to know all of you, and hearing all of your…..creative lingo. Teaching has brought me immense amounts of joy,” Bearden said.
