Gallery • 4 Photos

Photo by Saifiyah Zaki

Weide wraps students in a group hug after her surprise party. Senior IB HL art student Ismaeel Khan planned the event for Weide’s last day during her fifth period class, bringing cake and pizza for everyone to enjoy. “Ms. Weide has done so much for us,” Khan said. “This is the least we could do to repay her for all of her efforts.”

After seven years of teaching at the school, AP drawing and IB visual arts teacher Andrea Weide spent her last day on campus Tuesday, Oct. 1 before moving to Seattle, Wash. for her husband’s job. 

“I’m going to miss the community here [and] the relationships I have with my students,” Weide said. “I’m going to miss all of [their] quirky personalities. The connection I have with [them] can’t be beat.”

Weide’s departure came as sudden news to her students and fellow teachers. 

“I was really shocked,” senior HL IB art student Ismaeel Khan said. “It took me a day to fully comprehend that it was happening because it was just so quick.”

At Weide’s surprise going-away party, students reflected on their time spent with her and the impact she made on their lives. 

“Ms. Weide is the reason I got into art and the reason why I really wanted to get into this class,” senior Lara Holland said. “I’m going to miss her always walking around, giving us input, and just being the best teacher ever. She’s always relating to us and helping us out in the best way she can.”

Weide says she’s sad to leave, but excited for the future and being close to her extended family in Seattle. 

“If I could just transplant all of [my students] and the school with me then life would be perfect,” Weide said. “But just like my new beginning, [my students] are going to have new beginnings next year too, with college, and I’m excited to see where [they] go.”