Jo Richard, 11th-grade literature teacher, enters NC with a renewed passion for teaching. The already seasoned literature teacher enters not only her first year at NC, but her first year teaching the Advanced Placement (AP) English Language course. Richard enjoys putting up lights and books to create a comforting space for herself and her new students.

“Being here has brought teaching back to life and reinvigorated my love for this occupation. Meeting the staff has been great, the students have been great, and I am really loving this school so far. My approach to teaching every year is different; I tailor my lessons and my teaching style to best accommodate my students because I want them to succeed and love learning,” Richard said.

While she enjoys teaching, Richard also appreciates her free time outside of school. As a dynamic individual, Richard not only reads in her free time but also adventures to places like Activate, an interactive game room in Sandy Springs. Richard expresses her appreciation for competition, reflecting on all the time she spends traveling to and from her son’s football and baseball games. Her adventurous spirit does not stop there, as Richard also enjoys hiking with her family on weekends. 

Before working at NC, Richard taught literature at Osborne High School for eight years. Interestingly enough, Richard did not desire to pursue a career in education; instead, she attended Kennesaw State University (KSU) for business management and marketing. However, when faced with a class she could not pass, she confided in her English professor, and after an inspiring conversation, Richard switched majors and finally pursued her true passion, teaching.  Richard believes in providing a safe space for her students to express their individuality and opinions that others may deem controversial. Within her classes, Richard allows a vast amount of time for open academic discussion. She encourages her students to partake in civil disagreements and learn to defend their own opinions but also learn to understand other perspectives. She wishes to provide her students with a “backpack of knowledge” to help them enter the world after high school with enough information to maintain educated conversations. 

“I like the way that Mrs. Richard encourages us and lets us get to know our classmates. She is very motherly; you can tell she really cares about us and wants us to be comfortable learning. I am very excited to be in this class, it has been very cohesive and collaborative so far and I hope that it continues,” junior Adonis Roberts said.

During the school day, Richard emphasises fostering a judgement-free and encouraging classroom environment. With various activities throughout the week, including a Free Share Friday where students openly seek advice from their peers and share their accomplishments, Richard provides a safe environment for all students to learn about one another. She believes in the right to learn in an environment where students will feel supported. Through and through, her kindness and passion when teaching inspire excellence in students and allow for a cooperative classroom experience.

Now, Richard looks toward the future with bright eyes and open arms. The optimistic teacher approaches each day with a sense of invigoration, excited to educate another class of young minds. Students in her class provide only shining reviews of her attitude and teaching style so far, and NC teachers work in tandem with her to provide the best education for the class of 2027. NC welcomes Richard with excitement for this school year and all that follows.