Why I Teach...
At the age of twenty I still hadn't found a career path that peaked my interest. I was enrolled in Oakton Community College and working two jobs. I had come home late one night from my job at the Skokie Public Library. As soon as I walked in the door, my mother, who was washing the dishes after dinner, asked me to help my youngest brother, Kyriako, with his homework. Helping my annoying little brother with his homework was the last thing I wanted to do after attending class and working all day. Reluctantly, I listened to my mother.
I sat at the kitchen table which had my brother's books spread across the top. I could've just given him the answers to the questions and been done with it, but I didn't want to make this easy for him. I was going to make this a miserable experience for him since I especially didn't want him to ask me for homework help again. I looked over his assignment. I told him to re-read a couple of paragraphs. I asked him a couple of questions and we had a discussion. Kyriako proceeded to complete the assignment on his own. "Thanks Ang. I think I got it now," Kyriako said.
I sat there in amazement. Here I was trying to be difficult with my brother and I get a completely different result. In that moment, I noticed my brother's lightbulb go on. The feeling I got was amazing. It was indescribable. I was the catalyst for another person's understanding. My mom turned to me as she was drying her hands and said, "I think someone has discovered something here. Why not go into teaching?" As they say, the rest is history.
I sat at the kitchen table which had my brother's books spread across the top. I could've just given him the answers to the questions and been done with it, but I didn't want to make this easy for him. I was going to make this a miserable experience for him since I especially didn't want him to ask me for homework help again. I looked over his assignment. I told him to re-read a couple of paragraphs. I asked him a couple of questions and we had a discussion. Kyriako proceeded to complete the assignment on his own. "Thanks Ang. I think I got it now," Kyriako said.
I sat there in amazement. Here I was trying to be difficult with my brother and I get a completely different result. In that moment, I noticed my brother's lightbulb go on. The feeling I got was amazing. It was indescribable. I was the catalyst for another person's understanding. My mom turned to me as she was drying her hands and said, "I think someone has discovered something here. Why not go into teaching?" As they say, the rest is history.
Education Bio
After graduating Northeastern Illinois University in 2002 with a degree in Elementary Education and a Middle School Social Studies endorsement., I began my first year teaching at Nicholson STEM school in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood. The first several years, I taught 8th & 7th grade Language Arts and Social Studies. In 2007, I began teaching sixth grade Literature and Social Studies.
In June of 2008, I completed my masters degree in curriculum and instruction from the American College of Education. In July of 2010, I finished my reading endorsement program from National Louis University and became a reading specialist. I consider myself a lifelong learner.
In 2015, an opportunity arose at a school closer to home. Courtenay Language Arts Center had a position opening up. I met with principal King and immediately fell in love with the building and the school. I was captivated by the friendliness of the students and the camaraderie of the staff. I packed up my things and moved into room 308. I'm looking forward to several successful years at Courtenay.