If you’ve been part of the Bridges Middle School community for any length of time, chances are you’ve crossed paths with Heather Hofeld. As one of our longest-standing educators—19 years and counting—Heather has worn many hats, taught numerous subjects, and left an indelible mark on the school’s history and heart.
A New England Prep School Start
Heather was born and raised in Boston, spending her early years as a self-proclaimed “faculty brat” on a prep school campus, where her father taught and her mother worked as a librarian at a nearby school. “We had the run of the campus … all of these beautiful fields and even a castle on the grounds,” she recalls fondly. Surrounded by peers and steeped in a culture of academics and literature, Heather’s love of reading began early—she devoured every Nancy Drew book she could find. She credits her parents and the legacy of her great-grandmother, renowned author Frances Parkinson Keyes, for instilling a love of learning, writing, and storytelling.
“Ore-gone” Bound
At age 16, Heather’s family moved cross-country when her father became head of the Upper School at Catlin Gabel. The transition wasn’t easy. “I didn’t want anything to do with ‘Ore-gone!’” she jokes. But eventually, she found her people at Catlin Gabel, participated in three Outward Bound programs (white water rafting on the Deschutes, mountaineering in the Mt. Jefferson wilderness, and camping in Joshua Tree), and experienced the benefits smaller class sizes bring to relationship building.
After high school, Heather attended Occidental College in Los Angeles, where she double majored in Art History and Psychology. She wasn’t always sure teaching was her path, but life—and a series of meaningful jobs—led her to it. Working with kids at the Parry Center and the “I Have A Dream” Foundation with AmeriCorps was a turning point. “There were so many kids who needed help and weren’t getting it,” she says. “That was pivotal. I wanted to be back in the classroom or supporting education in some way.”
Making a Home at Bridges
Heather earned her master’s in special education from Portland State University and taught in Clackamas before landing an interview at what was then called Gately Academy. “The hour-long interview was with 12 staff members sitting in a semicircle with me in the center. I thought, ‘If I can get through this, I’m going to be okay.’” And she did.
Since then, Heather has taught nearly every subject—from language arts and geography to diversity studies and science. When Bridges (formerly Gately) faced closure, a passionate community of parents and staff came together to keep the school alive. The name “Bridges” was chosen by students and families, symbolizing the crucial role middle school plays in a student’s journey between childhood and adolescence.
A Teacher, A Mentor, A Legacy
What has kept Heather at Bridges for nearly two decades? “Honestly, it’s the kids. Watching their transformations, seeing kids grow into their own. It never gets old.” She finds immense meaning in helping students discover their “tribe”—something she experienced firsthand during her own teenage years.
Over the years, Heather has become a go-to resource, a connector, and a keeper of school history. “I try to bring a historical lens when it might be helpful, ” she says. “I’ve seen what’s worked in the past and love helping shape the future.”
Beyond the Classroom
Heather’s energy doesn’t stop when the bell rings. She’s an avid runner who discovered her passion later in life—and now regularly places first in her age group. With over 50 medals, including half-marathons and relay races like Hood to Coast (where she runs on the documentary-featured “Heart and Soul” team), she’s a force on the trails. She also completed the Grand Circle Trailfest in Utah, running Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Horseshoe Bend over three days.
When she’s not running, she’s hiking, reading, or thrifting—often with her two teenage sons. Their household is a lively one, filled with pets including a snake, two turtles, cat, dog, and scorpion. “If you can’t beat them, join them,” she laughs, describing how her husband and sons’ love for reptiles turned into a shared family passion.
Looking Ahead
Heather envisions a future for Bridges with expanded resources—especially in counseling and the arts. She dreams of fostering fresh energy and has long hoped to start an after-school running club. “Maybe now’s the time,” she says with a smile.
Nineteen years in, Heather Hofeld remains deeply passionate about Bridges. “Every year has brought new adventures. I still feel like I’m part of something truly special.”