“Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road. Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go.”

“So make the best of this test, and don’t ask why. It’s not a question, but a lesson learned in time.”

In December 1993, former Rider principal Marion Taylor was working in the district personnel office and tasked with interviewing applicants. Taylor was my high school principal and frankly, my interview was brief.

The only thing he said was, “You know, old Monte Lowe is retiring in May so we’ll need a new chemistry teacher. I’ve seen all I need to see. I think we are just going to keep this job in the Rider family. I’ll call Mr. Byers and he will tell you your start date.”

End of interview. On Jan. 3,1994, this fresh college graduate and newly certified teacher started her first day as a member of the faculty of Rider High. I have the distinction of being the first and last indentured servant i.e, full-time substitute teacher hired by Rider.     

My indenturement was commuted to status of “chemistry teacher” in the fall of 1994 when I replaced my own high school chemistry teacher. The rest as they say is history.   

Now, I am left with the difficult task of expressing what the last 30 years at Rider has meant to me.  Blinking back tears I hold tight to Mr. Taylor’s words… in the Rider family.

“So take the photographs and still frames in your mind. Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time.”

All the innumerable joys Raiderdom, from showing up early, to staying late, fist bumps, fire balls,  game-winning field goals, the fight song,  5’s on AP Chem tests, home runs, ACAP voices lifting “Beautiful Savior,” big defensive goal-line stops, the hush of mum day, cowbells, “Pooor Coyotessss,” stand tunes and dances, “You Say”, “OOH-AAHs,” “Who are We,” pick-6s, digs and kills, three points at the buzzer, A+, dress-up days, the Victory Bell, fun Fridays, lollipops and bleeding black and gold.

While those joys were sometimes punctuated by the lows of defeat, loss, failure and tragedy, on the whole it was a wonderful treasured experience because it was shared by each student, alumnus, fan and faculty member.

In many ways this entity of Rider emulates the truest family in that we were either born or integrated into this grouping united under a name. We all did our best to bring honor and dignity to the name. We all held different roles within and grew and evolved.  We established our own values, goals and traditions that were uniquely “the Raider way.”

We had differences and disputes, but we worked them out. We communicated and stayed connected.  We nurtured, supported and liked one another. We have mutual respect and even brotherly love. Just as a family has a beginning and a phase of growth, it must also experience change, loss and redefinition.  Our Rider family is at that moment.

For me, I am grateful and blessed by the relationships and memories I have shared with my students.  I am proud to have served them and I hope they will remember me kindly as a teacher. To my cadre of elite colleagues, thanks for your professionalism and excellence. It has been an honor and privilege to share this school with you all.

For me, there have been approximately 5,500 students, hundreds of teaching colleagues, 26 assistant administrators, seven head football coaches, five principals, four choir directors, three team athletic state championships, two band directors, but what remained constant, in loss or victory, was ONE FAMILY.     

I believed it, I lived it and though I will be parted from it, I will still remain forever a Rider Raider.

Fast forward to May 2024, I am no longer a fresh college graduate, but I did just complete my second real job interview of my life. As it happens one of my interviewers happened to be WFISD science curriculum specialist Bryce Henderson, former Rider teacher, my former Rider honors chemistry student and son of my longtime Rider teaching colleague and district curriculum specialist Steve Henderson. Keeping it just as it should be… in the Rider family.

In August, I will begin my second act as Science CIL for Memorial High School. The building and mascot will change (Lord, help me as I will have to actually wear red). Some of the people will change, but prayerfully I can bring to Memorial a bit of what shaped me and in that way what comes next will remain in the Rider family.

To the Rider family,  I close with  the words of Green Day’s Good Riddance:

“For what it’s worth, it was worth all the while. It’s something unpredictable, but in the end, it’s right. I hope you had the time of your life.”