After decades of changing lives, guiding students, and making Spanish come alive in the classroom, Mrs. Paulson is closing an extraordinary chapter. This year marks her final year at Morris Hills High School.

For many students, families, and colleagues, her retirement feels more like the end of an era.

Mrs. Paulson’s path to teaching was anything but ordinary. Before becoming a teacher, she was in nursing school, a career rooted in care, service, and empathy.

During her first semester back in college, everything shifted. “I thought I’d teach health or science,” she said. “But I had a Spanish class that semester, and when I started listening to the language, something just clicked. I realized I had always enjoyed it in high school and college, and it became clear that Spanish was the right path for me.”

Since then, Mrs. Paulson has become a cornerstone of the Morris Hills community. Her classroom became more than a place to learn grammar. It was a space where students built confidence, celebrated culture, and developed their voices.

“When I first started teaching, I took over midyear from a different teacher, so I had to focus heavily on classroom management and structure,” she explained. “But over time, I learned to focus more on skill-building activities such as reading, speaking, and listening. I know we do a lot of grammar, but I try to make it more meaningful. We switch things up so that everybody is really involved.”

That spirit of adaptability, always learning and evolving, is one of the many things that set Mrs. Paulson apart. Her teaching wasn’t just about language; it was about growth.

“A lot of students come in shy or afraid to speak, especially if they’ve never taken a language before. But we learn language by making mistakes,” she said. “It’s something that none of us are really used to, but that’s how we grow.”

She took pride in helping students break past their fears and speak with confidence, knowing that every misstep was a part of the process.

Her contributions extended far beyond the classroom. As an advisor for both the Pride Club and the HOPE Club, Mrs. Paulson created meaningful opportunities for students to serve others and strengthen their community.

One particularly impactful project involved Morris Hills students teaching English to Haitian students after the 2010 earthquake. “We used Skype, which is almost unheard of these days,” she recalled.

“We had maybe 12 of them and eight or 10 of us sitting around, talking to each other and enjoying it.”

Another passion project was the HOPE Club’s garden, started by what she called her “original gifted gardeners.” The raised beds they built blossomed into a space of growth, both botanical and personal.

Even during COVID, when access to school was limited, her students continued to serve. “We did a ton of drives,” she said. “We kept the food banks well stocked, and we helped connect with people who might feel isolated.”

The pandemic presented some of the toughest challenges of her career. “Teaching virtually was hard,” she reflected. “I couldn’t always see students’ responses if they were distressed or didn’t understand something. In person, I can look out and see a deer in the headlights and know I have to re-explain.”

Despite the difficulties, Mrs. Paulson never lost her sense of purpose or her joy in teaching. “The moment when a student catches on to something and you see that light go off… that smile… when they engage with learning,” she said.

“I’m always so proud when students present and incorporate culture and grammar and speak so well. And some of my former students even teach here today.”

As Morris Hills has evolved, so has Mrs. Paulson’s appreciation for its transformation. “Our school has become more diverse, in language, culture, and background,” she said.

She embraced that diversity wholeheartedly, believing it fostered deeper understanding and made the school a more vibrant, inclusive space. From exploring traditions across Spanish-speaking countries to engaging students in cultural discussions, she always emphasized the value of every perspective in the room.

In turn, Morris Hills left a mark on her as well. “I’ve learned to value the ability to change things up right away,” she said. “I’ve also learned from my colleagues, who are very generous and kind and always help me try something new. This place really is a community. A family.”

To students interested in community service, she offered heartfelt encouragement. “There is nothing better for you,” she said. “Even during COVID, it kept us connected. It helps bring you together with others who care, and it helps you learn not just about others, but about yourself.”

Her role will be taken over by someone who knows her teaching philosophy firsthand: Mrs. Perez, her former student. “She’s wonderful,” Mrs. Paulson said with pride. “It feels full-circle.”

As she prepares to close this chapter, she leaves her students with one last message. “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes when you communicate. Connect with each other,” she said. “It’s so important to have people you can look in the eye and have a deep conversation with.”

Mrs. Paulson, your legacy is woven into the fabric of Morris Hills in every sentence spoken in Spanish, every flower blooming in the HOPE garden, and every heart touched by your wisdom and warmth. You’ve taught more than language. You’ve taught empathy, resilience, and the power of human connection.

Gracias, Señora Paulson. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.