As her chapter at Walnut comes to a close after nearly 38 years, anotherbegins for Advanced Placement (AP) biology teacher and International Baccalaureate (IB) coordinator Manette Idris, with time on her hands open to fun opportunities. From seeking jobs at Disneyland to picking up her camera for photography classes, Idris also plans toget back into riding with her new horse, Fergus, continuing her journey with the lasting memories of being a Mustang.
Soon after Idris graduated from college as a biology major and having recently gotten married, she was offered a job opportunity at Walnut and her journey as a teacher began. She taught Biology Honors and Physical Science Investigation, a course that is no longer offered, and is now an AP Biology teacher and IB coordinator. Working at Walnut was her first and last job as a teacher in education and she has made unforgettable memories that have made it hard to leave.
“I have mixed feelings because much of my life was at Walnut. It’s sad to leave — especially my classroom. I look around, and it is weird to think that I won’t be coming here every day,” Idris said. “I’m going to miss [working with] students, which is the reason I taught. On the other hand, I’m excited about having the opportunity to do other things. I’ve already signed up to take photography classes, and I want to spend time with my horses. That’s gonna be really fun.”
Being part of the Mustang community for so long, she has realized that seeingso many people every day is bittersweet now that her time is coming to an end. Biology teacher Janice Zhen expresses her emotions about Idris’s retirement and the impact she has made on her life, as Idris has passed on classes to Zhen such as Biology Honors, AP Biology, and now IB Biology.
“I started here 25 years ago, and for every class that I’ve taught at Walnut, I have received all the support from her [and] I’m thankful to have a supportive mentor,” Zhen said. “We hate to see her go, but knowing that she’s going to enjoy her retirement makes me happy.”
From peers to long-life friends, Idris knows Walnut as a place she can call home and although retiring, she will always be grateful for the memories this job has granted her.
“For years, [many of the] colleagues that I work with are my lifelong friends.It’s a very different feeling — you’re not just going to work with colleagues, but you’re working with your friends who genuinely care and want to support you,” Idris said. “I’m going to miss that feeling and it’s part of what made Walnut a special place. I’ll never forget that [and it] will be with me forever.” Ω
