Our Mrs. R

9th-grade geometry teacher Zoey Rothenberger, better known as Mrs. R to many, is the lively and good-hearted spirit of Meridian World School. Her eccentric charisma, playful character, and benevolent soul help create an enjoyable environment and community, both inside and outside the classroom.

For many students, geometry is just another required math course, filled with theorems, postulates, and formulas to memorize. But for students lucky enough to have Mrs. Rothenberger’s class, geometry becomes something much more: a subject that sparks curiosity, laying the foundation for future success.

“What stood out most was how much she emphasized why the math rules worked,” recalled Cole Benson, a sophomore and past student. “We weren’t just memorizing random formulas. I remember the hands-on activities and visual explanations that made the concepts actually make sense. It made learning fun and exciting.”

That deep understanding comes from a teaching philosophy rooted in both structure and joy. Mrs. Rothenberger makes sure no student feels left behind. “Lots of circling, reminders to stay on task, short-term goals,” she explains. “I do research on how to teach in different ways. I try to get students to like me and feel safe. When they like me, they feel more inclined to make me happy. I’d rather be real with them and have them be real with me, because that strengthens our relationship.”

This clarity in the classroom is what transformed the way students approached math. Instead of fearing difficult problems, they started to understand them and even enjoy solving them.

“She really helped simplify things,” shared Cyrus Kapadia, a sophomore and previous student. “Before her class, I didn’t feel strong in math. But she broke everything down in a way that clicked for me. I walked away from geometry more confident, and that confidence carried into Algebra 2, where I now feel solid in math overall.”

That sense of empowerment isn’t accidental; it’s the result of an intentional, student-centered approach that Mrs. Rothenberger brings to every class. She understands that confidence in math doesn’t come from memorization alone, but from trust as well as patience. By creating a supportive environment where students feel seen and safe to make mistakes, she helps them develop not just skills, but belief in their own abilities and potential.

Mrs. Rothenberger’s ability to build confidence is shown in numerous ways, beyond geometry itself. “She’s impacted my life in a lot of good ways as she’s influenced me to work hard while also having fun,” Benson noted. “She has taught me that you can make any subject fun as long as you’ve got the right teacher with the right values, and that it’s all about the mindset in which you perceive yourself.”

Current students feel that impact just as strongly. Mikayla Burian, a current student in Rothenberger’s geometry class, shared how the experience has already changed her perspective. “I used to get nervous just hearing the word ‘math,’” she said, “but Mrs. R makes it feel doable. She’s funny, she talks to us like real people, and she doesn’t give up on anyone. I actually look forward to geometry now, which I never thought I’d say.”

But above all, Mrs. Rothenberger hopes her students will take away more than just formulas and theorems. “I want them to feel like they can be successful in math,” she says. “However, theoretically, they should learn something about themselves, too. I hope they remember me fondly. I try to make every kid feel cared for and loved, and I want to be the funny light that brings joy to people’s days.”

When asked how she wants to be remembered by her students, her answer is clear: “Funny, caring, loving, humble, and something positive.”

In every proof, every moment of classroom laughter, every quiet word of encouragement, Mrs. Rothenberger isn’t just teaching geometry—she’s helping students see what’s possible in themselves; and that’s a lesson they’ll carry far beyond high school.