Colleen Ritzer was a Massachusetts math teacher remembered for her enthusiasm for teaching and the care she showed her students. She taught algebra and geometry at Danvers High School and was pursuing graduate studies while building her career in education. Her family, students and colleagues described her as a dedicated teacher who worked to make mathematics understandable and encouraging for young people.
Ritzer was 24 when she was killed in October 2013. Her death deeply affected the Danvers and Andover communities. In the years since, her family and community members have honored her through scholarships, annual kindness initiatives and other memorial projects. This biography focuses on her life, work and continuing legacy, while treating the circumstances of her death with care.
Who Was Colleen Ritzer?
Colleen E. Ritzer was born on May 13, 1989, in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and grew up in Andover. She graduated from Andover High School in 2007 and from Assumption College in 2011, earning a mathematics degree magna cum laude. She also minored in psychology and studied secondary education.
After college, Ritzer began teaching middle-school mathematics before joining Danvers High School in 2012. She taught algebra and geometry. Students and colleagues remembered her for the energy she brought to class, her willingness to help students after school and her interest in making math feel accessible.
Colleen Ritzer: Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Colleen E. Ritzer |
| Born | May 13, 1989 |
| Birthplace | Lawrence, Massachusetts, United States |
| Died | October 23, 2013, aged 24 |
| Hometown | Andover, Massachusetts |
| Profession | High school math teacher |
| School | Danvers High School |
| Subjects taught | Algebra and geometry |
| College | Assumption College, class of 2011 |
| Field of study | Mathematics, with a minor in psychology and secondary education concentration |
| Known for | Her commitment to students and the memorial programs established in her honor |
Early Life and Education
Ritzer was raised in Andover, north of Boston. Her family’s published obituary described her as a loving daughter and older sister who valued time with relatives and friends. She was close to her younger siblings and enjoyed attending family gatherings and supporting her sister’s hockey games.
Her interest in teaching began early. The Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Fund says that she was inspired by a preschool teacher who encouraged her interest in helping others learn. That early experience stayed with her as she moved through school and considered what kind of work she wanted to pursue.
Ritzer attended Andover High School and graduated in 2007. She continued her education at Assumption College in Worcester, where she studied mathematics and psychology. She graduated magna cum laude in 2011. Her coursework included a secondary education concentration, preparing her to teach math at the high-school level.
While completing her teacher preparation, Ritzer worked with students who needed additional help in mathematics. The memorial fund’s account describes her ability to explain difficult concepts in ways that students could follow. Teaching allowed her to combine her interest in math with her desire to support young people.
Beginning Her Teaching Career
Ritzer started her professional teaching career at Hale Middle School in Stow, Massachusetts, where she taught for a year. In 2012, she joined Danvers High School. She was in her second year at Danvers when she died.
At Danvers, Ritzer taught algebra and geometry. She was known for working to make the material engaging rather than treating math as a subject students simply had to get through. Students recalled her enthusiasm, the extra help she offered and the encouragement she gave those who struggled.
The National Teachers Hall of Fame memorial page notes that Ritzer taught geometry and algebra and maintained social media pages to interact with students and offer academic help. Her approach extended beyond class time: she looked for ways to make students feel supported and to help them gain confidence in their work.
Her Approach to Teaching
For Ritzer, teaching was more than delivering lessons. The Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Fund describes her as someone who wanted students to recognize their own abilities and become more confident. She used encouraging messages and creative activities to help build a positive classroom atmosphere.
Former students and colleagues remembered her as approachable and committed. Reports from the time of her death quoted students describing her as a teacher who genuinely wanted them to succeed. The emphasis in these recollections is not on a single lesson or achievement, but on the way she made students feel noticed and capable.
Her enthusiasm for mathematics also became part of how students remembered her. The memorial fund has preserved her “Yay Math!” spirit through scholarship and kindness initiatives. These projects connect her personal approach to teaching with practical opportunities for students who want to pursue education themselves.
Death and Community Response
Ritzer was killed in October 2013 while working at Danvers High School. The case was investigated and prosecuted by Massachusetts authorities. To keep this biography focused on Ritzer’s life rather than sensational details, it does not recount graphic information about the crime.
Philip Chism, a student at the school, was convicted of first-degree murder and related offenses. In February 2025, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court affirmed the convictions. The court record provides the legal history of the case; this biography mentions it only to accurately summarize the public record.
Her death prompted an outpouring of grief in Andover and Danvers. Students, teachers, families and residents gathered to remember her. The Boston Globe later reported on community events held in her memory, including an annual day of kindness organized by her family.
Memorial Scholarships and Kindness Initiatives
Ritzer’s family established the Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Fund to preserve her legacy and support causes connected with her passions. The fund awards scholarships to students from Andover and Danvers who plan to study education or a subject with an education concentration. Applicants are asked to demonstrate a commitment to teaching and the values Ritzer represented.
The scholarship reflects the path Ritzer had taken herself: studying mathematics, preparing to teach and working to help students learn. It can also support future educators who want to make a positive difference in their own classrooms.
“Kindness for Colleen” is another annual initiative. Community members are encouraged to honor Ritzer by carrying out thoughtful acts and supporting others. Local reporting has described remembrance activities that include blood donation events and school-community projects.
The memorial fund also promotes activities such as a 5K and other community programs. These efforts help keep the focus on Ritzer’s personality and values—her care for family, dedication to teaching and habit of encouraging people around her.
Colleen Ritzer Career and Life Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1989 | Born on May 13 in Lawrence, Massachusetts. |
| 2007 | Graduated from Andover High School. |
| 2011 | Graduated magna cum laude from Assumption College with a mathematics degree and a secondary education concentration. |
| Early career | Taught eighth-grade mathematics at Hale Middle School in Stow, Massachusetts. |
| 2012 | Joined Danvers High School, teaching algebra and geometry. |
| 2013 | Died at age 24. Her death had a profound impact on students, colleagues and the local community. |
| Following years | Family and community members established scholarships and annual remembrance initiatives in her honor. |
| 2025 | The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court affirmed the convictions in the criminal case connected to her death. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Colleen Ritzer?
Colleen Ritzer was a Massachusetts math teacher who taught algebra and geometry at Danvers High School. She is remembered for her commitment to students and the memorial programs created in her honor.
How old was Colleen Ritzer?
She was 24 when she died in October 2013. She was born on May 13, 1989.
Where did Colleen Ritzer go to college?
She attended Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts, graduating magna cum laude in 2011 with a mathematics degree. She also minored in psychology and pursued secondary education studies.
What did Colleen Ritzer teach?
She taught algebra and geometry at Danvers High School. Before that, she taught middle-school mathematics at Hale Middle School in Stow.
What is the Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Fund?
It is a memorial organization that supports scholarships and community initiatives inspired by Ritzer’s interest in teaching and her care for others. Its scholarship program supports aspiring educators from Andover and Danvers.
What does “Kindness for Colleen” mean?
It is a community remembrance initiative encouraging people to honor Ritzer through acts of kindness and service.
What happened to the person convicted in the case?
Philip Chism was convicted of first-degree murder and related offenses. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court affirmed the convictions in 2025.
Final Word
Colleen Ritzer’s life was short, but her work as a teacher left a lasting impression on students and the communities of Andover and Danvers. She brought energy to mathematics, made time to help students and pursued teaching as a career from a young age.
The scholarships and kindness programs established in her memory carry those values forward. They support future educators and invite people to remember Ritzer through actions that help others. Her legacy is reflected not only in the memorials bearing her name, but in the students and teachers who continue to share what she meant to them.