As a young girl Krista Rieder attended West Milford’s Macopin School. At age 24, Rieder was hired on as a teacher in the same school. This school year she will walk the same halls, but now as Mrs. Krista Provost, dedicated teacher and happy new bride. Provost, 27, was born and raised in West Milford. She attended West Milford High School, graduating in 2003, the same year as Michael Provost. With an eye towards self reliance, she took an unusual senior elective class, auto shop. “I wanted to learn how to change my oil and tires,” she said. She was the only girl in the class, Michael was a classmate and they became friends. Focused more on Mike than automobiles, Provost learned little about oil changes, but that’s okay. “Now he does it for me,” she said with a laugh. After high school, while both were attending Ramapo College, best friends Mike and Krista became a couple. They were married on July 1, 2011 at St. Joseph Church in West Milford. The planning went smoothly. Provost, one of the youngest in a big, close Italian family, had lots of prior family weddings to learn from. Now for the ladies comes the best part - what was her gown like? “It was different. It had beaded straps, a slight sweetheart neckline, a dropped waist band in a darker shade of off-white, and then it flared out in an organza skirt,” she said. Provost carried her favorite flowers, off-white roses, and her six bridesmaids wore bright blue. After the ceremony the couple left for the reception at the Valley Regency in Clifton to join their 260 guests. “It was a perfect place,” she said. She was thrilled to have 25 teachers from Macopin join her on her big day. After a honeymoon trip to California the couple settled in Ridgewood. Mike went to work on a new business venture and Krista kept busy coaching field hockey over the summer. Provost graduated from Ramapo College with a degree in history and a certificate in education. Her desire to become a teacher leads directly back to the strong history departments at Macopin and West Milford High School. “I had Mr. Trentacosta as a history teacher at Macopin and now I work with him. He didn’t give the basic lectures, he got the kids involved and that’s how I do my lessons today,” she said. She’ll be teaching eighth grade American history this year and for the first time there will be an eighth grade honors course. “I really like creating the lessons; its fun to make engaging lessons to catch the students’ attention. I put myself in their shoes - what would I like?” she said. Her best days in school occur when she sees that the students are focused and they leave the classroom excited about history. When she hears from parents that their child is discussing history, well, that’s the icing on her cake. Last year Provost and English teacher Joseph Andriulli became the advisors for the Make-a-Change Club, an endeavor that will continue this year. She goes on field trips and chaperones school dances where she enjoys the camaraderie of other teachers. “Yes, we are teachers but we have personalities and our own lives," she said. "After the dances we get together. It’s a mix of older and younger teachers. It’s nice.” As for her immediate future she’d like to stay at Macopin, keep coaching and get involved with the new girls’ lacrosse team. “I’ll keep making my lessons better each year. I think they try hard because I expect them to,” Provost said. Where does she see herself in 25 years? “By then hopefully I’ll have a family. Life changes, so who knows? I’m learning to be more spontaneous, like Mike, having a good life, just being happy,” she said. Provost and her husband are active, they run, bike and kayak together. She likes to read and is learning to cook, a bit of a challenge since Mike requires a gluten-free diet. The couple alternate days of kitchen detail and Provost is striving to be a good cook, like her mom. It all started in an auto shop class. Do they have night classes in auto shop? Just a thought for the single ladies. Gluten-Free Cookie-Brownie Bars Cookies -1 19 oz. box Betty Crocker Gluten-Free chocolate chip cookie mix -1/2 cup butter (or ¼ cup coconut oil) -1 tsp. gluten-free vanilla -1 egg Brownies -1 16 oz. box Betty Crocker Gluten-Free brownie mix -1/4 cup butter, melted (or coconut oil) -2 eggs Heat oven to 350 degrees Grease bottom only of 13x9 in. pan with shortening or cooking spray In medium bowl stir cookie ingredients until soft dough forms Drop dough by rounded tbsps. onto bottom of pan In another medium bowl stir brownie mix ingredients until well blended Drop batter by tbsps. evenly between mounds of cookie dough. Bake 30-35 minutes or until cookie portion is golden brown Cool completely, about one hour For 24 bars cut into 6 rows by 4 rows