Social Studies Department

Undergrad: Grand Valley State University, Political Science, Group Social Studies, and Education

Why did you choose to teach at Sullivan?
I didn’t choose the Sullivan life; the Sullivan life chose me. All jokes aside, I am super excited to be teaching at a school with such a diverse student population! We have the highest number of refugee students of any other high school in Chicago! How awesome is that? Not only do we have a diverse student population but our school is also growing. It is an exciting time to be at Sullivan! I am excited to think of what our school is and what it is becoming! I came aboard with the hope of helping Sullivan take the next step in building community between our students and family.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
As a teacher, I think it is important to know who your students are, what their likes are, and what activities they are involved in. I believe the most effective teachers are those who can connect students’ learning with their interests. This makes the content meaningful to students. In addition to this I want to know what my students’ individual learning styles are so I can develop lessons to meet their needs. I also want to know when my students’ personal lives are affecting their learning. When a student is struggling, it may be because they are dealing with things at home. I believe that teachers should be considerate of students’ situations and be willing to work with them.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Serendipity

Undergrad: Loyola University, History and Spanish

Masters: University of Illinois at Chicago-Anthropology and Museum Studies

Why did you choose to teach at Sullivan?
I enjoy teaching and building relationships with our EL population. I am a EL myself so supporting their needs is my life's work.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
A teacher can be more effective in teaching academic subjects while supporting students emotional and learning needs.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Hope

Undergrad: Loyola University of Chicago, Major: History and Secondary Education, Minor: Psychology

Masters: Northeastern Illinois University, Secondary Education Counseling

Why did you choose to work at Sullivan?
I graduated from Sullivan and have deep loyalty to our students, our school and our community.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
I believe it is the fundamental basis upon which trust and mutual respect is built. I feel that our young adults will respond more favorably towards their teachers, peers, and the school community as a whole if they feel part of the team. Hopefully, and I have seen this happen with many of our kids over the years, this leads them to improve their confidence levels, their professional image, and eventually it helps them to be solution driven and to have a multi-layered plan for success during high school and beyond.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
HOPE!!!

Undergrad: University of Toronto, History with minor in Economics

Masters: DePaul University, M.Ed. in Secondary Education

Why did you choose to teach at Sullivan?
Sullivan is nicest high school on the North Side.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
Without a positive relationship we'd slide into an endless struggle over poor behavior rather than learning.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Respect