About Me
Ms. Ritland
Grades 6 Ancient World & Grade 8 Civics/Government
Hello! My name is Ms. Ritland and I teach history in grades 6 and 8. After receiving my undergraduate degree from Syracuse University (Go Orange!), I began teaching at East Middle School in the Fall of 2011. In 2014 I earned my graduate degree from UMass Boston. I have very high standards for my students because I feel it is important to work hard and strive for the very best version of yourself. Pushing through obstacles is what makes you a stronger person... AKA you will definitely work hard in my class! My inspiration for teaching often comes from my students. I enjoy using technology in the classroom to explore the units we study, but I am old school at heart. It is important to be well-rounded!
I love to learn about the world around me and travel to new places. So far I have visited 21 American states + DC and made international trips to Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, UK, Croatia, Czech Republic, Israel, and Canada. In 2017 I was fortunate to travel around Europe with my husband for 6 weeks, living predominantly in Barcelona. Some of my favorite cities to date include: Barcelona (+ all of Catalunya!), Madrid, Lisbon, Rome, Florence, Venice, Dubrovnik, Split, Jerusalem, Tel-Aviv, Paris, Aix en Provence, Cassis, Marseilles, Munich, Nuremburg, Salzburg, Vienna, London, and Prague. Learning the different cultures and meeting people in each of these cities is an experience I will never forget. In addition to my traveling I also live a very active lifestyle and am a certified group fitness instructor. I love to go for walks, try new foods, read, go skiing, and spend time with my husband and our friends and family.
Some pictures from my travels abroad!
Exploring Old City Walls in Croatia with Mr. Ritland
Dubrovnik, Croatia - 2019
Joined up with some Roman Gladiator's in Diocletian's Palace
Lesson Learned: Those Roman gladiators are never to be trusted
Split, Dubrovnik - 2019
Birthplace of the famous explorer, Marco Polo
Korchula, Croatia - 2019
Mr. Ritland and I at the Palace of Versailles, France - 2018
Normandy Beaches, France - 2018
Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
(view from the top) - 2017
Eiffel Tower, Paris, France - 2016
Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France - 2016
Arc De Triomphe, Paris, France - 2016
London, UK - 2018
St Paul's Cathedral, London, UK - 2018
The Rosetta Stone, British Museum, London - 2018
Carved in 196 BC and found in 1799 by archaeologists, the Rosetta Stone has a message inscribed in Hieroglyphics, Demotic, and Greek. It was used to translate the ancient language of Hieroglyphics.
During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, Venice was financial and maritime power. It is situated on a group of 118 small islands separated by canals and linked by over 400 bridges.
This is the Grand Canal, which runs throughout the city. My favorite Italian city!
Venice, Italy - 2019
View from top of St. Mark's Campanile
Venice, Italy - 2019
The Duomo (view from the top)
Florence, Italy - 2017
Colosseum, Rome, Italy - 2015
Forum, Rome, Italy - 2015
Pantheon, Rome, Italy - 2015
Vatican, Vatican City - 2015
Mr. Ritland and I exploring the birthplace of the well renowned composer, Mozart
Salzburg, Austria - 2019
This beautiful and picturesque city is where The Sound of Music (1965) was filmed
Salzburg, Austria - 2019
Capital of Austria - Known for its imperial palaces and famous artists and intellectuals including Mozart, Beethoven and Sigmund Freud
Vienna, Austria - 2019
Marienplatz (city's main square)
Munich, Germany - 2019
Wouldn't be a trip to Munich without stopping by Hofbräuhaus to hang out with the band. . . plus 65 BHS students :)
Munich, Germany - 2019
Brandenburg Gate - Built in the 18th century on the orders of Prussian king Frederick William II after the restoration of order during the early Batavian Revolution
Berlin, Germany - 2019
Berlin Wall - Constructed in 1961 to separate East and West Berlin during the Cold War, the West Berlin side of the wall had artwork and graffiti completely covering the wall, while the East Berlin side was kept blank because people were not permitted to get close enough to the eastside of the wall to paint anything
Berlin, Germany - 2019
Memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust, designed by architect Peter Eisenman and engineer Buro Happold, project completed Dec 15, 2004
Berlin, Germany - 2019
Nuremberg Castle - One of Europe's most formidable medieval fortifications, represented the power and importance of the Holy Roman Empire and the outstanding role of the Imperial City
Nuremberg, Germany - 2019
Montserrat, Catalonia, Spain - 2017
Mountain with the Benedictine Monastery located at the top
Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain - 2017
Once the spires are completed, Sagrada Familia will be the tallest church building in the world, estimated date of completion for the whole project is 2026
Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain (inside view) - 2017
FC Barcelona Camp Nou Soccer Stadium (winning game!) - 2017
My mom, mother-in-law, and I exploring the Gothic Old City of Barcelona - 2017
Early works of Pablo Picasso from the Picasso Museum, Barcelona, Spain - 2017
Park Güell, Barcelona, Spain - 2017
Park Güell, Barcelona, Spain - 2015
Exploring Roman Ruins in Tarragona, Spain - 2018
My mother-in-law, brother, and I from atop
Castell de la Suda in Lleida, Spain - 2018
Royal Palace of Madrid, Spain - 2017
Girona, Spain - 2017
Several scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed in this area
Dali enjoyed painting unique and "eclectic" art, On the piece above do you see Abraham Lincoln... or Dali's wife?
Some famous works from Salvador Dali at the Dali Museum, Figueres, Spain - 2017
Alfama District, Lisbon, Portugal - 2017
Only part of Lisbon not destroyed by the Earthquake of 1755
Monument to the Discoveries, Belem, Portugal - 2017
Built in honor of Henry the Navigator, who was instrumental in the success of Portuguese explorations during the 15th century (Age of Discoveries). Leaders from the front include Henry, followed by King Afonso V (supported exploration and colonization of Africa), Pedro Álvares Cabral (discoverer of Brazil), Ferdinand Magellan (1st explorer to circumnavigate the world), Bartolomeu Dias (first to cross over the Cape of Good Hope), among other navigators, writers, missionaries, mathematicians, cartographers, and other figures from the era.
St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague Castle, Czech Republic - 2017
View from Old Royal Palace, Prague Castle, Czech Republic - 2017
Jerusalem, Israel, Overlooking the Western Wall & Dome of the Rock - 2012
Western Wall (Wailing Wall, Kotel), Jerusalem, Israel - 2012
Fort Masada, Israel, Overlooking the Dead Sea - 2012
Bedouin Camp, Negev Desert, Israel - 2012
