While history teacher Brenda Helfing has continued her passion for teaching for 20 years, she plans to retire at the end of the school year. 

“Ms. Helfing has a way of making learning very interesting with projects,” said senior Axel Aleman, who is enrolled in AP African American  Studies. “She’s a very passionate teacher and has a deep care for all her students.”

Helfing began teaching in 2005 and spent 20 years with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). She began as a substitute teacher, working with young children. Helfing started her first full-time teaching position at Northridge Academy High School (NAHS) in 2007, where she was next-door neighbors with history teacher Frankie Ortega. 

“I like teaching the content I am passionate about,” Helfing said. “That’s why I continued for 20 years, but now it’s like okay, it’s a good time to stop.”

While teaching is Helfing’s passion, education wasn’t her first career. After moving to California from Boston, Massachusetts, in 2000, Helfing worked as a bookkeeper. During her four-year stay, she met her husband on the job. 

With time, Helfing became a stay-at-home mom. After her children reached middle school, she returned to school to obtain her degree and credentials to finally begin her passion: teaching. 

“She always tells me to follow my dreams, even if I don’t think they are achievable,” said senior Alexis Abraham, who previously took United States History with Helfing.   

After teaching at NAHS for four years, Helfing moved to Cesar E. Chavez Learning Academies (CCLA) for four years, before returning to NAHS for a year. Then, she returned to CCLA. Helfing was hired as a history teacher at DPMHS in 2019, working with Ortega once again. 

In 2023, DPMHS started offering AP African American Studies, a new AP course, with Helfing as its teacher. Helfing taught it in addition to her AP US History, US history, AP Government and honors economic coursework. 

“It’s a good point to retire,” Helfing said. “I have a new grandson and I want to be able to help my daughter when she needs us and to travel with my husband. I think it’s a good time (for me) to get out of education.”

Now, as Helfing believes she is at the age for retirement, she looks forward to traveling and having time for herself to relax. After her yearly trip to Lake Tahoe, Helfing plans to visit Yellowstone National Park and many other famous landmarks.

“A lot of traveling with my husband, going back to the east to visit my family, having time to relax, read my books and go to museums,” Helfing said. 

Helfing’s teaching position will not be replaced for the next year. While Helfing plans to retire from being a full-time teacher, Helfing still hopes to work part-time as a substitute teacher later on. 

“I hope I leave them with a passion (for) history,” Helfing said. “I hope they remember me as someone who is kind, warm and funny. I hope I made them feel wanted.”