By: Mikyai Scott
English teacher Valerie Forrider is the newest addition to Federal Hocking High School staff, and she is making an outstanding first impression.
Before her teaching career, Forrider was a STNA and a phlebotomist. Forrider decided she wanted to be a teacher so she majored in AYA English Launguage Arts.
Forrider attended school at Marshal University for one year after high school, and then got her college credit at Rio Grande for four years. Before she became a teacher, Forrider started substitute teaching at schools in West Virginia, Southern, and Meigs for a year.
Forrider enjoys being a teacher.
“My favorite thing is I think it’s fun, I love the activities and being very collaborative. My least favorite part would be doing write ups for detentions, I don’t like paperwork, I just want productivity.”
Freshman Timmy Hines is a fan.
“She’s a great and nice teacher. She’s also a great writer.”
There are some fun facts about Forrider. She has a chihuahua named Maxwell and nicknamed Maxipad who likes to wear clothes. Forrider is married to her husband Chase, who graduated from FH and even had Ripple and Ballew as his teachers. Se grew up on the first Grade A Orgainc farm in Meigs County that partnered with Organic Valley. She also worked as a baker at River Roasters in Pomeroy.
Forrider loves her coffee.
“I love coffee shops, flea markets, and ceremonial things.”
She loves her baby even more than coffee. Maryanne Elizabeth is about to be five months old and can say all her favorite words, especially mama. She also likes the movie Moana.
“I’ve watched that movie 15 times just this week!”
Being an English teacher, Forrider likes to read. One of her favorite books is “White Noise” and her favoriate movie is “10 Things I Hate About You”.
She lives by the mantra of “Work, life, balance.”
