It might seem rare that a husband and wife couple work together at the same school, but Shadow Ridge actually has four of them. The Padgett’s and Hartley’s are just two of the four pairs of couples that currently work at the school. Although it’s not completely perfect, there are many amazing benefits these adults enjoy from being in such close proximity during the day and having very similar schedules.
The Padgett’s, luckily enough, work in the exact same hallway in the 300s. Mrs. Padgett is in room 322 and Mr. Padgett’s classroom is 328. Mr. Padgett also goes by Dr. Padgett. Both the Padgett’s teach math classes, which is an interest they share. Mrs. Padgett teaches Algebra 1 and Reason and Sense Making and Dr. Padgett teaches Algebra ll and Calculus. The couple had taught together at Mojave high school as well before coming to Shadow Ridge. Although it’s a coincidence, working in the same school wasn’t something they had purposefully tried to do.
“It was never planned at all, but when I became a math teacher we lived in a small town and there were only two schools, so we ended up at the same school,” Mrs. Padgett explains. “We previously wanted to come to Shadow because we wanted a school with non-blocked classes, but classes ended up being blocked and that’s fine.”
One benefit is being able to eat lunch together every day, and having the same schedules allows them to do their favorite activities after work, like going out to eat. Another great benefit is that people know how great the Padgett’s reputation is between the two of them.
“Everyone knows both of us and so they know what kind of people we are, but if people don’t know much about you, they will wonder what your character and personality is like,” Dr. Padgett says.
The Hartley’s are similar to the Padgett’s because they also have rooms very close to one another, just across the hall. They also work in the same department of Performing Arts. Mr. Hartley is the band director for Shadow’s marching band and regular band class, and Mrs. Hartley teaches Theater and Fashion, Textiles, and Design. The Hartley’s have had experience working together because they’ve taught at three different schools now, including Shadow Ridge. Although they love it, with each of their clubs they don’t get to see each other too much when they’re very busy.
“Since we’re in the same department we can work together and collaborate, but both theater and band are very intensive and time consuming,” Mr. Hartley says. However, we understand each other’s fields and how important they are.”
With the benefits come challenges, which mostly involves time management. With their time intensive schedules they have to work around them to be able to pick up their son. However, saving money plays a huge part in working at the same school for the Hartley’s.
“It definitely cuts down on gas, and it’s easier to balance our home lives when we’re in the same department,” Mrs. Hartley comments.
