, Language Arts and Creative Studies 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 Naperville, IL and went to school in Naperville 203 schools. I am the oldest of three with two younger sisters. When I was in elementary school and middle school I was placed in "enrichment" and "accelerated" classes for reading and language arts and I took AP English and Science courses when I was in high school. I have always enjoyed reading and writing and hope to one day write a book - although I am undecided as to which genre! Prior to working with CTD I completed my B.A. in Elementary Education at North Central College, which is also in Naperville, IL. Currently I am teaching 1st grade at Prairie Point Elementary School in Oswego, IL in the Oswego 308 school district. Throughout college I had been set on teaching upper elementary or middle school grades, but after student teaching in a 1st grade classroom and working with primary-age kids as a TA through CTD, I realize that I enjoyed working with younger students much more. I am definitely glad that a good friend's mom suggested that I apply to work with her at CTD a few years ago!
How did you get interested in your subject area? What is your favorite content to teach?
I am currently certified as a general education teacher at the Elementary level with endorsements in science, social studies, and reading. After I did my student teaching I decided to complete an additional Reading Minor at North Central College so that I would also be certified as a "Reading Teacher." Because I have always enjoyed reading and writing it has quickly become my favorite subject to teach. It is especially gratifying to see a student who struggles with reading suddenly put all of the pieces together and take-off as a reader.
Tell us briefly about your favorite teacher.
My favorite teacher was actually my enrichment teacher when I was in 5th grade. She always seemed way more "fun" than my classroom teacher and always had a challenge for us. I remember doing a really cool activity about mysteries where she set up a "crime" and had us be on the look out for hidden clues throughout the school. After about a week of searching and slowly putting the pieces together we realized that they all led straight back to our teacher! So fun and interactive!
Tell us about a satisfying teaching experience.
Reading is my absolute favorite subject to teach - especially at the primary level with kids are just beginning to learn how to read. Earlier this fall I had a student who was still struggling to name all of the letters in the alphabet and is now, after only 3 months of intensive intervention with me each school day, is reading at grade level in first grade! I am so proud of his hard work!
What is it like working with gifted kids? Describe the energy in your classroom.
I enjoy working with all students, but I truly enjoy the challenge of working with all gifted students through CTD. I enjoy all of the unique skills and talents that each of the gifted students in my classes brings because it helps enhance my teaching through challenging me to push them each to a new level. The energy and excitement that I can sense from the kids in CTD is indescribable. When I was teaching "treasure maps" last summer I was truly amazed at the level of excitement my 1st and 2nd graders had when they learned how to calculate angles and measure the degrees on a compass while making their own lost islands and treasure maps. It was truly amazing!