After over a decade at Midtown, math teacher Vicki Vinson has announced her retirement, marking the end of a 25-year profession in education.

Vinson has remained engaged in various activities at the school. On top of teaching math courses, she sponsored clubs such as Habitat for Humanity, Women in Transportation and Girls Who Code.

“I really enjoy her class,” sophomore and AP Statistics student Ariana Brownlee said. “[Vinson] is a very patient and caring teacher, she will always take the time to explain math in a way where it makes sense to you. She has a lot of knowledge about her subject, and you can see her passion for math in her teaching.”

Since joining the Midtown staff in 2013, Vinson has taught math classes including Algebra 1, Precalculus and AP Statistics. Her decision to enter education began years ago, after she found inspiration from inside the classroom. 

“When my children were younger, I would be the room mom in the classroom,” Vinson said. “When I was in there and working with the kids, I thought that I’d really be interested in this. My degree is in accounting, so I love math. I was working at the Orlando airport at the time, and decided I was more interested in education and went into teaching.”

Vinson believes that her transition from accounting and passion for the subject made her a skilled educator. Throughout her career, she worked with students of varying grade levels, however, it was teaching high school that truly resonated with her.

“I used to sub in kindergarten and kept moving up as my children got older,” Vinson said. “I taught middle school in Orlando, and once I moved to high school, I realized I really love it. I enjoy the kids and their perspectives on life.”

Looking ahead, Vinson said she plans to embark on a new chapter of her life by relocating to Ocean Springs, Miss., a small town on the Gulf Coast known for its art festivals and pleasant location. Vinson is determined to remain engaged in education, and she plans to keep up with teaching in retirement.

“Ocean Springs is a really great high school, one of the top schools in Mississippi, it is very similar to Midtown,” Vinson said. “My plan is to get my teaching certificate in Mississippi and hopefully work every now and then as a substitute teacher.” 

 Vinson said beyond the many successes she has had as an educator, the highlight of her career has been seeing her former students succeed beyond graduation.

“I have a Facebook post that invites old students of mine to reach out and just tell me something you remember about my class, and something about you now,” Vinson said. “Quite a few of them were actually going into teaching, which I really loved, and others were engineers and chemists and other things, so just seeing them succeed is great.”

During her time at Midtown, Vinson connected with fellow instructors and peers as well as students.

‘‘I will remember our times that we went to sporting events, dances, theatre events, or Professional Learning Days together,’’ Midtown math teacher Carrie Rowe said. “We always had fun! Also, we have supported each other through so many life events and I’m so thankful to have had her as my friend and colleague for 12 years.’’

Looking within the classroom, Vinson proved to have an impact on others with her teaching style and personal qualities.

“Ms. Vinson shows patience and genuine concern for her students,” Rowe said. “I admire her ability to maintain patience and empathy, qualities I aspire to have in my own teaching practice. She has left an incredible mark on the school, she has helped multiple students and been a role model for so many teachers. I’m so thankful to have had her as my friend and colleague for 12 years.”

With her departure from education, Vinson draws from her years of experience in the classroom to provide words of advice for new teachers starting their careers.

“Try not to stress out, just take it one day at a time,” Vinson said. “Another important thing is listening and taking the advice of your peers and other teachers, and if you are brand new, observing other teachers can also be beneficial.”

Following her retirement, Vinson will be fondly remembered at Midtown for the impact she left on students.

“I just hope my students will remember that math isn’t just about numbers,” Vinson said. “It’s about understanding the world. Keep questioning, keep analyzing and never stop learning. Stay curious and stay kind. I hope they know that I supported, encouraged and believed in them.”