There is another new teacher at Heritage to meet. Joelle Rickard, who has taught for 7 years, teaches a variety of subjects related to transition services.
Transition services are provided specifically for students with an IEP and who are 18 or above. These services are provided until they are 21, but these services help them receive an education even if they are older.
“I taught at transition services here in Littleton, which is for students who are 18-21, and prior to that I taught at a high school in Washington State,” Rickard says. “I teach the center based program, so I teach a lot of different subjects for the students accessing services through center base.”
When Rickard went to school at Heritage, block schedules were not used; instead they had class specific days.
Even though Rickard was at first confused by the block schedule, other parts of the school environment outweigh her confusion.
“It’s been really great, I think that it is a kind student body and I love all the school spirit and I think that it’s an overall really inclusive environment,” Rickard says.
“I actually graduated from Heritage and when I was a student her. I was on the Unified Eagles team and that is kind of what inspired me to come back and be the center based teacher,” Rickard says, sharing what made her want to come teach at Heritage.
Along with actually graduating from Heritage, Rickard’s mom taught for 41 years at Heritage.
“Her dedication to the profession and to Heritage itself is unparalleled and serves as a true inspiration. If I could be half as good a teacher as she was, then I’ve done my job well,” Rickard says.
When asked what school event she looks forward to, Rickard said, “I really love the assemblies, I think that the assemblies are probably my favorite event at Heritage.”
Teachers do more than provide knowledge for students, they have hobbies outside of school. For Rickard, she enjoys everything from spending time with family to knitting.
“I have a one and a half year old daughter, and then I have 2 dogs and 2 guinea pigs. As far as hobbies go I restore old furniture in my free time and otherwise just your regular teacher stuff, I like reading and knitting and then spending time with my family,” Rickard says.