Welcome to Chicago, IL
I graduated from Western Michigan University in December of 2008. The next semester I subbed all over the area. I didn't particularly like subbing, but it did allow me a lot of time to complete applications for schools in hopes of fulling my dream of landing my first "real" job in my own classroom. I myst have sent out 30-40 applications to schools across the country. I received multiple rejection letters and quickly became discouraged.
On my way to Chicago, IL for a weekend with some friends I decided to make a pit stop on the McCormick Center as they were having a teaching fair. I always wanted to live in a city, so I thought this seemed like a perfect idea. I went into the McCormick Center for about 45 minutes, which was enough time to drop off my resume and cover letters to as many schools hiring. I was not optimistic about receiving anything but rejection letters from these schools. I was getting so frustrated with the time I was spending and not to mention all the money I was spending on that special resume paper.
About 5:30 p.m. on a Wednesday night I received a voicemail from a school in Chicago, IL, The Chicago High School for the Arts, better known as ChiArts. I was so excited. It was just simply a phone call to set up an interview and you would have thought I landed a top of the line job.
The next day I called ChiArts and set up an interview. I was also informed of the uniqueness of this school. The Chicago High School for the Arts is a college-preparatory, pre-professional arts training program in the following areas: dance, music, theatre, and the visual arts. ChiArts is the first public arts high school in Chicago, IL. ChiArts offered no sports. It was my desire to pursue a teaching degree in hopes of coaching. I was pretty bummed that this school did not offer sports, but at the same time I was pumped to potentially have a real teaching job with my own classroom. The school day begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m. everyday. From 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. students attend their core classes. From 2:15-5:00 students attend the pre-professional art training in their designated area. Teachers were free to leave at 3:00 p.m. On top of all this uniqueness, it was also a start-up school. A start-up school for ChiArts entailed starting with only 150 freshman and then each consecutive year a new class of 150 students would join ChiArts.
Although all this uniqueness was rather odd, I didn't let it bother me because I was so excited for a real job. After five different interviews I was finally offered the physical education position at ChiArts. I was the only physical education teacher at ChiArts. On top of being new into a professional setting I was required to design a physical education curriculum that met the needs of students at ChiArts. Also, I did not have access to an actual gym. I had to teach in a dance studio where students were not allowed to wear tennis shoes because it would ruin the dance floor. This was extremely challenging. Luckily, one class I completed at Western Michigan University was "Non-Traditional P.E" which helped a great deal. I also had to order all the equipment for my curriculum.
Although my first year at ChiArts was not my ideal position, I learned so much from this school. In fact, I think a lot of my teaching methods and knowledge is from ChiArts. It not only allowed me to grow professionally, it also allowed me to mature into an adult. Besides the fact of living in a large city and taking the "red line" everywhere it allowed me to grow culturally. I was referred to as "that white gym teacher." I have never been in a situation where my race was not dominant. This was very different for me. I chose to leave ChiArts after one year to obtain a health education position near my home town, which I still hold today.
On my way to Chicago, IL for a weekend with some friends I decided to make a pit stop on the McCormick Center as they were having a teaching fair. I always wanted to live in a city, so I thought this seemed like a perfect idea. I went into the McCormick Center for about 45 minutes, which was enough time to drop off my resume and cover letters to as many schools hiring. I was not optimistic about receiving anything but rejection letters from these schools. I was getting so frustrated with the time I was spending and not to mention all the money I was spending on that special resume paper.
About 5:30 p.m. on a Wednesday night I received a voicemail from a school in Chicago, IL, The Chicago High School for the Arts, better known as ChiArts. I was so excited. It was just simply a phone call to set up an interview and you would have thought I landed a top of the line job.
The next day I called ChiArts and set up an interview. I was also informed of the uniqueness of this school. The Chicago High School for the Arts is a college-preparatory, pre-professional arts training program in the following areas: dance, music, theatre, and the visual arts. ChiArts is the first public arts high school in Chicago, IL. ChiArts offered no sports. It was my desire to pursue a teaching degree in hopes of coaching. I was pretty bummed that this school did not offer sports, but at the same time I was pumped to potentially have a real teaching job with my own classroom. The school day begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m. everyday. From 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. students attend their core classes. From 2:15-5:00 students attend the pre-professional art training in their designated area. Teachers were free to leave at 3:00 p.m. On top of all this uniqueness, it was also a start-up school. A start-up school for ChiArts entailed starting with only 150 freshman and then each consecutive year a new class of 150 students would join ChiArts.
Although all this uniqueness was rather odd, I didn't let it bother me because I was so excited for a real job. After five different interviews I was finally offered the physical education position at ChiArts. I was the only physical education teacher at ChiArts. On top of being new into a professional setting I was required to design a physical education curriculum that met the needs of students at ChiArts. Also, I did not have access to an actual gym. I had to teach in a dance studio where students were not allowed to wear tennis shoes because it would ruin the dance floor. This was extremely challenging. Luckily, one class I completed at Western Michigan University was "Non-Traditional P.E" which helped a great deal. I also had to order all the equipment for my curriculum.
Although my first year at ChiArts was not my ideal position, I learned so much from this school. In fact, I think a lot of my teaching methods and knowledge is from ChiArts. It not only allowed me to grow professionally, it also allowed me to mature into an adult. Besides the fact of living in a large city and taking the "red line" everywhere it allowed me to grow culturally. I was referred to as "that white gym teacher." I have never been in a situation where my race was not dominant. This was very different for me. I chose to leave ChiArts after one year to obtain a health education position near my home town, which I still hold today.
Back at Western
At the start of my second year of teaching, I decided to pursue my master's degree. I have always wanted to be in an administrator role so Education Leadership seemed to be a perfect fit for me and Western Michigan University offered the program. I signed up for classes and completed 12 credits that year. I chose to take the summer off and work at a golf course to save money to pay for my master level courses. I also chose to take a freshman girls basketball position. I took one class when my third year of teaching started and then took the next semester off because I was coaching. I once again worked the following summer at the same golf course to save money. The next school year I chose to take on 8th grade volleyball and could not take classes due to too many conflicts with my volleyball schedule. As soon as the volleyball season was completed I jumped right into basketball season and once again, could not take any courses due to schedule conflicts. I always remembered teachers telling me it's hard to take classes once you start teaching and I never understood why, until now. It is very challenging to be involved with a school district and complete college classes.
I am also taking courses to complete an English minor. I hope to move into my district's E.L.A. department. I love teaching health education but I think a new challenge sounds extremely tasteful. If all goes as planned, I will have completed the required courses to have an English degree at the end of this summer.
I am also taking courses to complete an English minor. I hope to move into my district's E.L.A. department. I love teaching health education but I think a new challenge sounds extremely tasteful. If all goes as planned, I will have completed the required courses to have an English degree at the end of this summer.
"I teach at the middle school level because kids can be so funny."
- Nancie Atwell
As I said on my home page, I currently teach health education to sixth, seventh and eighth grade students. I throughly love every minute of it. I am finishing up my third year at Three Rivers Middle School. Just as every teacher, some days and classes are more challenging than others. All in all, I can't complain about my job. I love the students, facility and community. I look forward to being part of the teaching faculty for many years to come. Go Cats!