, Math Instructor for the Saturday Enrichment Program
Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where did you grow up? Were you identified as gifted when you were young?
I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, which is where I began my career in education, teaching fifth grade in a large suburban public school district. Four years later, my husband and I relocated to the Chicago area, where I worked with fourth graders. I spent three years teaching in Bannockburn School District #106 and one year in Aptakisic-Tripp School District #102. I started teaching for CTD (SEP) in the fall of 2007. My son was only a few months old at the time so I was not teaching full time, but was looking for a way stay connected to education. Although I was not a part of the gifted program in the schools I attended in my youth, I had had some experience working with students in a regular classroom setting that were in need of an accelerated curriculum.
How did you get interested in your subject area? What is your favorite content to teach?
As a former elementary school teacher, I was required to teach all of the core subject areas. However, I have always loved math! Now that I am a part of the CTD team, I am excited to have the opportunity to teach the subject for which I am most passionate, given my minor in mathematics and experience as a private math tutor.
Tell us briefly about your favorite teacher.
Although I have fond memories of many of my elementary and high-school teachers, the one that I feel I learned the most from is the cooperating teacher that I worked under in my student teaching. In all the years that I studied education, no one could have better-prepared me for a career in education. Her creativity, patience, and ability to be firm with her students was astounding. She was able to connect with and meet the needs of each and every one of her 28 high-energy second graders, which was no small feat! I feel very fortunate to have had such an inspiring mentor to help mold me into the teacher that I am today!
Tell us about a satisfying teaching experience.
My current teaching position is the one that I find most satisfying. Working as a teacher for the Saturday Enrichment Program allows me to reach a population of students who might otherwise be overlooked in a regular classroom setting. Teaching in this capacity has also allowed me to be a stay-at-home mom six days a week for my four-year-old son and 18-month old daughter. I truly feel like I have the best of both worlds!
What is it like working with gifted kids? Describe the energy in your classroom.
Working with gifted children is both challenging and gratifying at the same time. I enjoy having the opportunity to interact with such a unique, well-rounded group of students. My goal is to provide them with new and exciting challenges that they may not otherwise have a chance to experience. However, gifted students have varying abilities and learning styles too, and individualized instruction is necessary to help maximize their potential. While this often takes time and careful planning, differentiation allows for my students to feel connected to the subject-matter and crave more. This is evident through the excited bustle that fills my classroom each week!