Ms. Catherine Ferris is one of the newest (and youngest) teachers at AHS, who is currently in her second year of teaching 9th and 11th grade.
Ferris graduated from East Bridgewater High School in 2017 and immediately began her studies at Massasoit Community College to earn her associate degree in business administration in 2019. She would then transfer to Bridgewater State University and switch her major to mathematics and secondary education to graduate with her bachelor’s degree in 2022.
The reason for the switch? Ferris said her algebra professor at Massasoit was her greatest inspiration and encouraged her to take a job as a peer tutor on campus after recognizing her strong problem-solving abilities and math skills. Ferris enjoyed mentoring other students and aiding them in understanding difficult concepts. “It really made me realize how much I hated business administration,” she joked.
Ferris has taught a variety of algebra-based classes since her arrival last September. This year, her schedule includes teaching freshmen in Accelerated Algebra 1 and juniors in Algebra 2 & Trigonometry L2 as well as L3. She has enjoyed teaching Algebra 2 and Trigonometry L2 the most so far.
“I would have to say being pied in the face during last year’s pep rally was pretty…iconic” — Ms. Ferris
When asked what she enjoys most about teaching high schoolers , Ferris responded with “Seeing people’s growth, especially those who start off the school year struggling and not grasping certain math concepts.” She especially values building relationships with her students and seeing them progress from freshmen to senior year.
“I would have to say being pied in the face during last year’s pep rally was pretty…iconic” Ferris replied with after being asked what her favorite memory has been throughout her teaching career at AHS.
When asked about a characteristic that most people wouldn’t know unless they got to know her, Ferris was quick to answer with having a tough and stricter side to her personality. “I can be very nice to people, but I can also be mean and stricter when needed. People tend to walk all over me a lot, but I’m not afraid to put my foot down if I need to.” She touched on her especially difficult classes of juniors and freshmen that tend to get rowdy towards the end of the day, or even those who treat her differently because she is young and new to the building.
Outside of the school setting, Ferris loves to shop and try out new restaurants around Abington like Sarcastic Swine BBQ & Restaurant on Route 18 in addition to visiting close friends and family over the weekend and school breaks. At any other point in the week, you can find her playing with her dog or staying well-rested by taking naps.