In the last couple of years, University Academy has struggled to find science teachers who were fully committed to staying at UA long term. Ms. Vickie Albritton, the new chemistry and physical science teacher, seems to be just what the Upper School science department needed. UA welcomed her at the beginning of the second quarter in the 2024-25 school year.
This year is Ms. Albritton’s 24th year as a classroom teacher. Before she came to UA, she taught at Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy and St. Teresa’s Academy. So this is actually Ms. Albritton’s first time in seven years teaching boys. Prior to teaching in the Kansas City area, she taught at other schools in Missouri, Texas, Alabama and Tennessee.
On her first day, the students were very welcoming, which she said is her favorite thing about teaching at UA.
One of the sophomore students in her chemistry class, Sarah McFadden, said she believes Ms. Albritton creates a comforting and open classroom and genuinely cares about her students’ opinions to ensure she is giving the students the best learning experience possible.
She said, “Ever since Ms. Albritton came to the school, she has provided a more safe and loving environment to students. She has also created a more fun way of learning material by doing many fun and engaging labs, and by her ‘class decision’ teaching style, she helps students engage more in class.”
Another one of her students, McKenzie Davis, a freshman in physical science, said Ms. Albritton is supportive of her students, always gives second chances and cares about what students are saying. She also believes Ms. Albritton is helpful.
She said, “She is very approachable and easy to talk to when questions are asked or help is needed, and she explains the information in a way we understand.”
It may be that Ms. Albritton is so approachable because of how respectful the students were when she first arrived.
Ms. Albritton said, “I love how welcomed I felt from the very first day. My classes made me feel accepted even though I came in after the first quarter. I love seeing UA scholars ask questions and enjoy learning. I have worked at other schools where I felt the students were more focused on grades instead of learning cool things about science!”
She said she enjoys seeing the UA ‘‘lifers’’ feel proud about their school because there are so many things to be excited about at UA.
In high school, a lot of students might struggle with figuring out a career path, but this wasn’t the case for Ms. Albritton.
She said, “I woke up one day in my junior year of high school and just knew I was supposed to be a teacher.”
After high school, Ms. Albritton attended Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, to receive her bachelor’s degree in biology with a concentration in secondary education.
Being a teacher may seem easy to people, but it comes with many challenges. One big challenge Ms. Albritton faces is motivating students and finding ways to get them engaged in topics they don’t find appealing.
Outside of teaching, she loves to spend time with her children, take her dog for a walk, read mystery novels and cook.
She said, “I love to cook for people—especially large groups. When I retire from teaching in the classroom, I plan to be a lunch lady.”
Some interesting facts about Ms. Albritton are that she and her husband have been married for 25 years, she is an only child, she is allergic to cats, and she is currently learning to crochet. She’s from Tennessee, but she does not find country music appealing. During time off, Ms. Albritton travels to see family, hosts friends in her home, reads, watches shows and allows herself to receive plenty of rest.
After lots of changes in the Upper School science department throughout the past several years, it seems like UA has finally found a suitable fit in Ms. Albritton.
