By Owen Sterner

Reporter

The Jag

After 34 years in teaching, South’s German teacher Mrs. Amy Trowbridge is preparing to retire, closing a chapter defined by both language and meaningful connections with students. 

“I honestly can’t believe how fast it went,” Trowbridge said. “When I first started teaching, I never imagined I’d be here for over three decades.” 

Her love for German began long before she entered the classroom. 

“I fell in love with the language and the culture,” she said. “Living in Germany for a year really changed everything for me. I have so much love for the language, and I wanted to share that with students and bring home to the states.” 

Trowbridge eventually found her way to South after teaching English, where she has spent most of her career, along with teaching afternoons at Blue Springs High School. 

“From the beginning, South felt very intentional,” she said. “The students were curious, my coworkers were supportive, and it was a place where I felt encouraged to be myself as a teacher.” 

Looking back, some of her favorite memories are simple ones.  

“Some of the best moments were when you could see the click happen,” she said. “When a student realized they could actually understand and use another language, it completely changed how they carried themselves in class.” 

For Trowbridge, the most rewarding part of teaching was always the students. 

 “They kept me going,” she said. “Building relationships, laughing in class, having meaningful conversations and playing games. That’s what made it so special.” 

As her final year comes to an end, she admits the emotions are mixed. “It’s bittersweet,” Trowbridge said. “I feel grateful, and a little sad at the same time.” 

Her decision to retire came after careful thought. “It just felt like the right time, I’m sure that’s what everybody says,” she said. “I want to be present for my mother and focus on things I’ve had to put on hold.” 

In retirement, she plans to spend more time caring for her mother and returning to her passions.

“I want to get more into gardening,” she said. “I’m really excited to have time for that again.” 

While she’ll miss teaching, there are some things she won’t miss. 

 “I’ll miss the students and my coworkers the most,” she said. “But the pace of teaching can be overwhelming,” she said. “I’m looking forward to a life that’s a little less rushed.” 

Rather than an ending, Trowbridge sees retirement as an opportunity for change. “I see it as a new phase,” she said. “There’s still so much I want to learn and experience.” 

As she says goodbye to South, Mrs. Trowbridge leaves behind a lasting impact. 

“Teaching has been such a gift,” she said. “I’ll always be thankful for my time here.”