Nancy Hunter is the longest-running teacher at North Atlanta High School, boasting an almost three-decade run starting all the way back when North Atlanta was a building with much fewer than eleven floors. Being at the school for so much of its history is a surreal experience, as North Atlanta has had plenty of changes both physically and internally. The students have changed, the staff has changed, and everything continues to do so.
Before Hunter taught at North Atlanta High School, she attended Northside High School—the predecessor to North Atlanta—from 1984 to 1988. It was a separate building that then moved to what is now Sutton Middle School during Hunter’s first year of teaching. After getting her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education, Hunter came to North Atlanta as a student teacher in 1993 and then transitioned to the job of a full-time teacher during that same school year. She was around when, only seven years ago, North Atlanta moved to its current campus, boasting 11 floors and over 2,000 students. Even with this big change, Hunter still stayed at North Atlanta High School, adjusting to the bigger location, students, and classes that came with the school’s move. “To all of the new teachers at North Atlanta,” Hunter said. “Do not be afraid to reach out or lean on other teachers when needed.”
Over the years, Hunter has watched as student after student has grown in their confidence and knowledge. She has seen their experiences, their relationships with their teachers, and their love for math in her classroom. She has taught nearly every math subject from Algebra I to AP Calculus BC, and even Math I and Math II back when math classes were just designated by numbers. She has seen numerous staff, classes, and structures come and go as North Atlanta continued to grow and shape itself into the high school that it is today. Despite the numerous changes, it has always remained a great place to learn and grow as one. “North Atlanta is a great place to teach because you are surrounded by other teachers who are always willing to help,” Hunter said.
29 years of teaching brings an experience that shapes each teacher in a unique and meaningful way. Hunter’s time at North Atlanta High School brought memories to both her and her students who got to spend time with her during her stay, memories that will last a lifetime. As her time at North Atlanta High School comes to a close, current and former students alike say goodbye to their longest-running teacher at their school.
