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Hello! My name is Heather Ridgeway. This is my 3rd year at Midland Valley High School and I love it! I am one of the Learning Strategies Special Needs teachers here at Midland Valley High School this year. I moved here from Central Florida in the summer of 2020 and I absolutely love THE VALLEY!

Through the years, I have taught bed babies through 22-year-old high school seniors in both private and public sectors. I have also homeschooled my son for a few years. This will be my 7th year teaching in a certified professional position. Prior to coming to Aiken, I taught at  The Endeavor School in Seminole County, Florida as a special needs teacher, of K-12. I currently hold a Florida Teaching Certificate for both ESE (K-12) and Elementary Education (K-6) and a South Carolina Teacher's Certificate for Special Education: Multi-categorical, Elementary Education, and Early Childhood. I earned my associate degree with High Honors and earned Magna Cum Laude with my bachelor’s degree. In 2022, I finished my Masters in Arts of Education focusing on Curriculum and Instruction, graduating with distinction. In my free time I love to travel to Florida, the beach, and the mountains.  I also love cruising, bowling, attending sports/ concert events, watching football and Hallmark Christmas movies. Most of all, I love treating myself to a Starbucks and spending time with my family.

 Even though I was born and raised in Florida, and I do love my manatees, my educational career started in Berkley County, SC over 20 years ago. There I was a special education paraprofessional at Berkley Middle School. I left in 2009 to live in the mountains of Kentucky and then down to the Sunshine State of Florida in 2012, teaching all along the way. I have now returned to the state that started this amazing career.

 I love working here at Midland Valley High School. We are a great team with a passion for our students. I look forward to watching my students grow and become active members of our community.

 Communication is key to building strong relationships! I believe that teaching and raising children takes a village. I hope you come to see me as a part of that village. My planning times are  Monday through Friday. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me by email at hridgeway@acpsd.net or you may text me on the Google voice phone number, (803) 443-6498

I believe whole heartedly that all students are diamonds in the rough. We as educators just need to find how we can make them shine!