For new teacher Marisa Bouchelle, moving to Rockbridge County felt like coming home.
“I’m from a really, really small town called Bridgeport, Illinois,” said Bouchelle. “My high school was actually a lot smaller than this one, so I enjoy the small hometown feel.”
Bouchelle teaches algebra functions and data analysis (AFDA) as well as geometry. This is her third year teaching, and she loves her job.
“I love watching a student work on a problem, even if they’re having a really hard time, and watching them get to the point where they understand. Watching them recognize that they can be successful. Watching them build confidence, even if it’s in a subject like math,” said Bouchelle.
Bouchelle graduated from Southern Virginia University with a Business Management and Leadership degree, but quickly realized that field was not her calling.
“I’ve always enjoyed math, and I’ve always been good at it, so I took an online course and I showed that I’m qualified to teach math at this level,” said Bouchelle. “I started teaching in Arizona, and I knew that I had found a career that I wanted to pursue.”
Bouchelle came to RCHS because she heard good things about the environment of the school, and wanted to continue teaching when she moved back to Virginia.
“This felt like the right fit,” said Bouchelle. “It felt like the right group of people. It felt like the right students, and so far it’s been wonderful.”