Meet the Teacher Advisory Council: Heather Nelson of River Ridge HS!

The Cherokee County School District’s newly formed Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council provides educators with the opportunity to share valued feedback.  The talent of our teachers is unparalleled and their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched!  Over the coming weeks, we'll be introducing each Council member to our community.  You can learn more about the Council and see the full list of its members online here.

Heather Nelson of River Ridge High School

An 11-year educator, Ms. Nelson teaches 11th-grade literature at River Ridge High School. She began her career at River Ridge HS and also has taught ninth-grade literature and journalism there and facilitated the school newspaper.

What inspired you to become a teacher?
So many of us had a great teacher who inspired us. Mine was Ms. Krieger, my ninth-grade English and AP Language teacher. When I was a freshman in college, she asked me to come back to my alma mater to talk to her current students about the benefits of AP classes. I had to verbalize how important it was to challenge yourself, to engage in conversations about difficult topics, and to broaden your understanding of the world through literature. When I got back to UGA that week, I changed my major to English education.

What do you find most rewarding about your job?
The best part of the job is seeing students' confidence grow over time. Sometimes, it's their writing improving over time or being able to work independently without asking me as many questions. Other times, it's their personal style and interests as they grow up and find their identity throughout the years.

How do you elevate the excellence in your classroom?
I try to center the students as much as possible -- letting them construct the knowledge, allowing their interests and background knowledge to lead us where I can. I want students to leave my room knowing that if they don't already have an answer, they have the ability to find one. More importantly, I want them to understand and have the confidence to know that failing at something is not a stopping point, but just a step towards success.

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