Zia Rutledge, who teaches world history and U.S. history, joined the staff of Santa Fe High in 2023. Before she came to Santa Fe High, she taught at Milagro Middle School. Now she is relieved that she is teaching high school. “I enjoy the energy at Santa Fe High, and most of all I enjoy getting to spend all day with SFHS students. … There is fun stuff happening all the time,” she said, adding that she loves all of the activities, clubs, and sports. 

Ms. Rutledge enjoys history: “I love researching and digging through the past,” she said. “I like using past evidence to analyze current events.”

Ms. Rutledge went to Occidental College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in history. Then she went to Santa Fe Community College to get her teaching license. “I love school, and teaching students is a lot more fun than my previous jobs,” she said.

Originally from Taos, Ms. Rutledge “came to Santa Fe because there were more job opportunities.” She adds that she got her name from the New Mexico flag. 

Ms. Rutledge said she likes the outdoors. Her hobbies are skiing, hiking with her dog, and rafting.

Although she has “no human kids,” she said her fur babies (a dog and a cat) are like her kids.