Mrs. Bettridge: a bright light at OHS
By McKenna Worsham
Mrs. Mindy Bettridge is one of Owasso’s most treasured teachers. She is the lead choral director for the Owasso Choir, as well as a new addition to the OSU teaching staff where she teaches Choral Literature. The most welcoming and loving person, Bettridge is honestly one of the best people to learn from here at OHS.
Picture of Mindy Bettridgein her office at OHS taken by McKenna Worsham.
Bettridge truly found her calling working with teenagers. Somehow, she loves teenagers more than anyone you will ever meet. Her passion for teaching choral music (and for high school students) has only grown with time. She has special talents of compassion and patience for moody teenagers. All of the drama she must endure daily is enough to scare most away from teaching high school, though Bettridge was seemingly made for this job.
“I have really high standards and expectations…but I also want them to know that this is a safe place and a place where they are loved,” Bettridge beams proudly.
Bettridge is one to love first and teach second. The choir classroom, unlike most others, is a place for everyone. It is a room filled by a team of loving directors, led by Bettridge, and has the most encouraging environment for high school students. Truthfully, no one else is more perfectly suited for this job as well as another newly filled position at Oklahoma State University.
A Choral Literature college class is quite different from directing a high school choir. However, Bettridge is thriving in doing both this year. Her true passion for teaching has led her to even bigger things, starting with being a professor at OSU.
Excitedly, Bettridge said, “It has been really interesting teaching that class because I can really see my high school students in these (college) students,” which demonstrates her extreme love for her teenagers, even while teaching her college class.
Whether it be middle school, high school or college, when Bettridge becomes your teacher, it is a guarantee that you will hear from her again. Bettridge’s sweet, genuine love for her job has resulted in long-lasting relationships with current and former students. The amount of love this woman can give is endless. Her talent for teaching is shown in how many students come back to see her each year, the number of messages she receives from graduates and the ultimate pride she expresses while discussing her students, new and old.
“It is so wonderful to see all the great things that former students are doing…it’s great to see music is still a part of their lives and that they are enjoying it still,” Bettridge says, smiling ear to ear.
Every choir student, current or former, will tell you that Bettridge is a passionate and kind teacher but an even greater person. She has many goals for the Owasso Choir this year, including their trip to Ireland with the other Fine Arts programs.
There are many goals for Owasso’s choir this year, “Ultimately, we are taking this trip to Ireland, and they need us to present an hour-long concert…it’s been really cool seeing all the students stepping up to perform this literature,” Bettridge graciously laughs.
Usually people say teaching high school ages you, but with all of these exciting changes this year, Bettridge is forever young. “I still feel like a teenager…in this environment I feel like you all keep me young!” Bettridge exclaims.
Bettridge is a very busy woman this year, however, she seems to make time for all things important to her: her new grandbabies, teaching and loving her Owasso students and even being a part-time Cowboy.