Environmental Sciences teacher Amy Richardson was raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania, a place commonly known as the “electric city” because it was the first city in the U.S. to operate streetcars powered solely by electricity. Richardson says that her background is Polish and that growing up, she considered herself a valley girl, someone on the wealthier side with a preppy sense of fashion.

Richardson attended Mid Valley Schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. Throughout school, she made many friends, but it was during her senior year that she really branched out, participating in clubs and activities such as softball, drama club, and ski club. She even wrote the horoscopes for her school newspaper.

After graduating from high school, she went to Bloomsburg University, and also took classes at Penn State and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Richardson then moved to Hanover, Virginia, where she got her first teaching job 32 years ago. However, teaching hasn’t been her only job, as she left teaching for four years to work for the banking company Capital One.

Richardson ended up working as a corporate trainer for Capital One, advising staff on information technology and delivering learning materials to enhance other employees’ skills, all of which meant being on the road a lot. “Trying to be a good mom and wife while traveling is hard,” Richardson said.

Eventually, she realized that Capital One’s beliefs didn’t align with hers. She decided to fully commit to teaching and has been teaching ever since.

Richardson likes to share detailed life stories with her students, and some students say that her bubbly personality helps them feel comfortable and cared for while they learn.

“When I had her class, she was always very sweet, and she always makes sure her students are okay,” said senior Victoria Scotto Di Vetta.

In her free time, Richardson said she cherishes time with her daughter and her husband. Richardson’s husband shares her love for gems and rocks, and he likes to create jewelry from scratch, which you can find Richardson wearing to show her support.

She also enjoys spending time with her older brother, a fire marshal in Henrico, and her daughter, who is married and lives in Maryland.

Richardson enjoys a number of hobbies, including gardening, collecting rocks, cooking, and swimming. “Anything that has to do with swimming, or the beach, I love,” she said. She grows a variety of vegetables, medicinal herbs, and culinary herbs.

When she is not in her garden, she’s in her kitchen cooking Polish dishes like cabaski and pierogies.