Hello everyone!
I find it very hard to believe that I have currently started my 9th year of teaching this week. Time feels like it has flown, but if I stop and look back on these years, I have experienced and grown so much as an educator. It definitely has been a journey. I have spent these past nine years of my career teaching in Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of Chicago. When I received my undergraduate degree from Loyola University Chicago in 2010, I got a job right away after graduation teaching 4th grade at Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph School (ICSJ) in Chicago. I taught there for three years in a self-contained classroom with a co-teacher. One main focus during my time there was developing and implementing a new writing curriculum. Our classroom had a SMARTboard, and I also worked on finding ways to utilize the board in my lessons.
While I enjoyed my time at ICSJ collaborating with fellow teachers, I felt it was time to experience managing a classroom on my own. I transferred to St. Francis Xavier School in LaGrange, IL, and have worked there now for six years. When I started, I taught 3rd grade and felt like I created my dream classroom. I spent the summer before buying and organizing books for my classroom library. I used Class Dojo as a classroom management and participation tool. My 3rd graders loved it! I shared a class set of MacBooks with several other classrooms on my floor and used them with my students when I could.
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| 3rd-Grade Reading Corner (personal photo) |
Although I was happy in 3rd grade, I discussed with my principal my desire to teach social studies at a higher grade level. My love of history is one of the main reasons why I went into teaching. I initially planned on receiving a degree in Secondary Education with a focus on history when I was in college, but I switched to Elementary Education thinking that I would connect better with younger students. I do not regret my decision, but at this time, I felt a desire to be more involved with social studies. After several discussions with my principal at St. Francis, she offered me a position to teach 6th-grade science and social studies. I knew that jumping up several grades like that would be tough, but I accepted the challenge. Even though I have middle-grade endorsements in both subjects, I was most looking forward to teaching social studies, especially since it focused on ancient civilizations!
This current school year is my fourth year in 6th grade. I would have to say that 6th grade is my favorite grade to teach so far. Not only have I had so much fun teaching social studies, but I have made many connections between both subjects. Since the students are older, I can delve into the content at a deeper level. My students each have their own Chromebooks, and I have spent time working on creating a blended learning environment in my class with the help of a technology coach at my school.
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| 6th-Grade Bulletin Board (personal photo) |
Class sizes have changed at my school, so I have had to pick up
another subject this year as there are less 6th-grade classrooms. In addition to teaching science and social
studies, I am teaching writing this year. At the same time, my school is implementing a new science curriculum. I have a bit more on my plate this school year as I am getting used to the new programs.
In the midst of all my transitioning to different grades and learning different curricula, I got married two years ago to my husband, Nick! He is my rock who has supported and encouraged me throughout my teaching career. He is a mechanical engineer who works at a company very close to my school. We bought our first home together in May. We had a wonderful summer decorating and fixing up our house.
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| Our Wedding! 7/2/16 (personal photo) |
Much has happened to me these past few years. After much contemplation and research, I have decided to go back to school. Technology is rapidly changing school and although I have experience using it in my classrooms, I want to immerse myself more fully into it to not only help my students, but to assist other teachers with incorporating it into their classrooms. After nine years, I am ready for my next journey! Let the adventure continue!
