After more than two decades of teaching side by side, HHS Math teachers Mrs. Erika Nelson and Mrs. Michelle Defosset are preparing to go into retirement, marking a major shift in a department that has been together for 21 years. Nelson, who primarily teaches Algebra, and Defosset, who teaches Geometry, have spent over 25 years in education, shaping generations of students.
For Nelson, the choice to retire was influenced by both personal reflection and the continuous development of education.
“Education has changed, and it goes through pendulum cycles where it swings one direction, and then comes back another way. It’s always going to do that, but I am not as mentally agile as I once was,” Nelson said. “I think it’s really important for students to have fun, loving, and happy teachers, and it’s harder and harder for me to be the exuberant spaz that I used to be.”
Defosset shared similar reasons, including different perspectives on change.
“There is no rhyme or reason for this year,” Defosset shared. “To be quite honest, I think before [HHS Principal] Mr. Williams came, I was ready to go then, mentally, emotionally, physically. When Mr Williams came in, it kind of reinvigorated me. It was a change for the good, for the school, so I think that helped keep me here longer.”
While changes at HHS helped extend her time in the classroom, the impact she felt she was making in the classroom was a big influence on Defosset.
“You want to feel like you are making a connection, and I feel like the older we get, the harder it is to make those connections,” Defosset said. “You just want to make a difference, and when you feel like you’re not making a difference anymore, it’s time to go.”
For both teachers, the decision to retire comes with mixed emotions.
“I do love it here, and it breaks my heart, but I want to go when people are sad to see me go versus thrilled to see me go,” Defosset said.
With Nelson and Defo both being in education for 25+ years, they formed tight-knit relationships with their department. Alongside Mr. David Tidwell and Mrs. Christine Dillender, the four teachers have worked together for 21 years.
“It is bittersweet. I am happy for them, but also sad they are leaving,” Dillender said. “We are such a close group that it is going to seem strange not to have them around to talk with about anything and everything.”
That bond, built over decades, is something Nelson said defined her experience at HHS.
“My coworkers have made all the difference in the world; this truly was a family for me, not just a career,” Nelson shared.
The math department is widely recognized for its strong bonds and the longevity of the staff.
“Defo is the organized one, I’m the obnoxious one, Dillender’s is the serious one. David [Tidwell] is fun and strict, so we all bring something together,” Nelson said. “We all have that drive to make sure you guys learn stuff, and we wanna have fun together too.”
Both teachers also reflected on the connections they built with students and the community.
“I fell in love with the people that go to school here, and I fell in love with the community itself,” Nelson said.
Defosset shared a similar perspective, crediting the people around her for enhancing her experience in her career.
“I couldn’t do this job for 26 years without all the people I’m working with,” Defosset said. “This feels more like home to me.”
As they prepare to step away, both teachers said they hope their impact goes beyond just math.
“I want students to remember my class as the class that they hated but really liked the teacher,” Nelson said. “A lot of the time in life, you run into things that you really hate doing, but it’s the people that surround you that make it better.”
For Defosset, the lasting impression she leaves behind is just as important as the lessons themselves. Beyond the classroom, she brought energy to the school community, including running the HHS staff TikTok page.
“My friends around me, my faculty staff, I hope they remember me, and look fondly on the shenanigans that I brought,” Defosset said. “Like the TikToks, the dress down days, the movie trivias, I hope somebody picks up on [those things].”
As their careers come to a close, both teachers also reflected on what it takes to succeed in the classroom, offering advice to those who may follow in their footsteps.
“You gotta learn how to laugh,” Nelson said. “If you can’t laugh with the kids, you’ll never survive.”
Additionally, there are other factors that they believe are important in the classroom.
“One of the things I thrive on is consistency–even if I love you, I’m still going to be hard on you,” Defosset said. “You want to make a difference, and you want students to know you care.”
Their advice reflects the same values that defined their careers, relationships, balance, and having a genuine passion for students.
“Hold your expectations high, don’t let them fall just because the kids are not performing, doesn’t mean that you’re not,” Defosset said. “It’s okay to make a mistake, it’s okay to not be good at your job as long as you reflect on it.”
As the school year comes to an end, the math department is preparing for a change they have not experienced in decades. For Nelson and Defosset, however, the focus is beginning to shift to what comes next. While neither has a set plan for retirement, they both look ahead with a sense of optimism, ready to embrace whatever comes next after years dedicated to teaching.
