End of Semester Thoughts...

Fall 2011 Student Teachers



Samantha Schouweiler - Northwestern College

Student taught at Boone Elementary

My choice to do my student teaching in Chicago was done sort of at the last minute. Up until then, I really wasn't sure if I even wanted to teach. Between prompting from professors and my family I decided to apply. I honestly have to say that even in the beginning of my student teaching I wanted to just quit and start working at a coffee shop in the city instead. Now that it is the end of my placement, God has shown me that he gave me the gifts to teach through comments from my teacher and supervisor. It is comforting to know that through this experience I have truly discovered my vocation. I loved working in Chicago! The city has amazing opportunities and so much happening. If you are used to small town life, and need a change, Chicago is like a completely different and wonderful world. As far as teaching in Chicago goes, it is definitely inner city but the diversity of experience you gain is one only found in a place like Chicago. I loved working with such a diverse group of students ethnically, intellectually, and economically. 

Jessica Stob Mills - Calvin College

Student taught at Boone Elementary

What I enjoyed the most in my Chicago Semester experience this past fall was really about all the people I met. Living in the city is of course a great perk being so close to everything, but I think relationships are what make the experience that much more meaningful. Getting to know and meet the girls who student taught with me has been fun and I have learned so much from them through our conversations. I also have gained relationships with my students. It is going to be so difficult leaving all my little third graders behind. It’s hard to describe the teacher-student relationship but I think it will be similar to leaving behind a niece or nephew. These relationships and experiences have helped me learn something about myself as well. I never knew that I would enjoy teaching as much as I do. Even through the time-consuming work and preparation, I have grown to really cherish the times I spend with my students and get excited to teach them new material, filling their little brains with information that will help them grow into little individuals.

Samantha Koch - Calvin College

Student taught at Jamieson Elementary

Chicago Semester has been a great experience!  I have learned more than I ever thought I could in one semester.  I developed effective classroom management techniques, created ways to accommodate all of the diverse students in my classroom, and learned creative ways to make learning engaging and experiential.  My cooperating teacher was fantastic with explaining things to me, letting me try things for myself, and completely handing over her classroom and resources to me over the semester.  My students were amazing, a little crazy, but still amazing.  I had 33 six year olds, so crazy is expected.  My students were definitely the thing I enjoyed the most about student teaching here.  Living in Chicago was fantastic.  It takes about a week to feel comfortable with the public transportation, but once you have it figured out it becomes your best friend.  Even though student teaching requires a lot of time and effort, don't forget to have a little fun and enjoy the city because the semester will be over before you know it! 

Carlene Carpenter - Hope College

 Student taught at Curie High School

The Chicago Semester is a great opportunity to grow as a person and an educator! While living in the city I learned how to use public transportation, explore new restaurants, and go sight seeing. My favorite part about living in the city is the diversity of people and seeing the skyline every morning on the way to work. Being in Chicago allowed me to teach in a setting that I would not have otherwise been able to teach in and learn how to adapt to a new culture. The students are great and fun to work with!

Madeleine Garcia - Hope College

Student taught at Kenwood Academy

Student teaching in Chicago was incredibly valuable for my future goals and for me as a person.  I understand what it is like to live and work in an urban setting.  Because of being in , I feel as though I have experienced so much more than a typical student teacher.  I feel as though I have an advantage in getting a job because I am set apart from other teachers who have experience only in the suburb setting.  Now, I have worked with students of different races and cultures and have learned that I am able to adapt to and feel comfortable in different cultures and settings.  Because of this experience I have developed an inner confidence that I did not have before. 

The Chicago Semester gave me an opportunity to live an exciting life in a large metropolitan city.  I was able to experience a life here rather than just a vacation.  It is amazing how different a city is when you actually live there.   You discover secret hot spots that only locals know about, and you are frustrated with things that only locals are frustrated with.  I feel as though I am more culturally aware of my surroundings and have much more knowledge than I did before.  The fact that there is ALWAYS something to do in Chicago is what I enjoyed the most about living here.  There was never a dull moment.  If you were bored on any day during the week, something fun, new, or different would come up.

Student Teaching - Week 13

by Madeleine Garcia - Kenwood Academy

Life in the City as a Student Teacher

Because of Thanksgiving, this last week was only a three day teaching week. The students were excited about the holiday break so it was hard to keep them focused. I tried to incorporate fun activities into the curriculum they were learning. We played games, and learned new vocabulary and concepts. Since it is the end of November, we celebrated all the November birthdays by singing Feliz Cumpleanos and giving them a lollipop.

My favorite part of this teaching week was when one of my students who rarely volunteers, and always tells me he does not understand, raised his hand to answer a question. He participated by choice, and later in the period he asked to put an answer on the board. He said, “Senorita Garcia, choose me for the next one, I know this stuff”. I was so proud of him and felt a sense of accomplishment. I will be sad to say goodbye.

Life in the City Outside of Student Teaching  

Thanksgiving Dinner

I cannot believe my time in Chicago is almost over. This past week has been so much fun. I stayed in Chicago for the Thanksgiving weekend. My roommate was here as well so we were able to celebrate together. We made a Thanksgiving meal and ate at the wonderful Canterbury apartments.

Thanksgiving Day Parade

We attended the Thanksgiving Day parade on State Street

early in the morning on Thanksgiving. Different bands from many states were present, blow-up balloons, dancers, and different themed acts performed down State Street. The street was so packed that we had to wiggle our way through what seemed like hundreds of people to have a clear view of the parade.

The rest of the weekend was relaxing. Shopping was an essential part of last week. Thanksgiving sales were everywhere! I had to go shopping at midnight on Thanksgiving evening. I was in Chicago! The stores were crowded and the sales were great! It was exciting to be in Chicago and experience the celebrations for the beginning of the holiday season.

Finishing Student Teaching

Even though it will be a relief to be done with the business of student teaching, I am incredibly sad to be leaving my students. It is amazing how much of a connection I feel with these students that were strangers three months ago. Over the past three months I have grown to really care for these adolescents, and I want so much for them to succeed.

Student Teaching - Week #12

by Madeleine Garcia - Kenwood Academy

Life in the city as a Student Teacher

Ms. E, Ms. K, and me

I am a secondary Spanish student teacher at Kenwood Academy. These past few weeks have been so much fun for me at Kenwood. October 31st was Halloween. My cooperating teacher and I dressed up as Day of the Dead (a Mexican holiday) skeletons. How fun!! Even though the students are older than elementary school students, they LOVED IT!!! This started the week off with a bang.

As a high school teacher, I am able to connect with the students more on the same level. Day of the Dead is a holiday celebrated in Mexico where they celebrate death. During this two day holiday, the students spent an entire class period reflecting on people they have lost. It was amazing how seriously they took it and how thoughtful they were of others.

At this point in the semester I am comfortable with my students, and my students are comfortable with me. I believe that students have the best learning environment when they feel comfortable. It was evident in the last test that they took. The pride I felt in my student’s accomplishments gives me motivation to continue being the best teacher I can be.

Life in the city outside of Student Teaching

November 11 was citizenship day at Chicago Semester. We all volunteered at different places. I volunteered to chaperone a field trip to the bowling alley. :D It was a lot of fun, and I won!! WOO!! The children were all Hispanic, so I was able to practice my Spanish as well.

Saturday night, I went with some teachers from Kenwood to Quartinos, a delicious Italian restaurant. The food was great, and if you go with a large group of people, each person can order something different and everyone can share. Afterwards we all went to La Salle Power Company to dance. Teachers can have fun too!!

Since I had never been in Chicago before, I was excited to experience the holiday season downtown. I went to see the Festival of Lights. So many people were downtown in the cold, it was amazing! The lights were unlike anything I’ve seen before; I could see why so many people come to see it.

To celebrate an early Thanksgiving, I attended a family dinner of a friend that I met early on this semester. As I was settling in to Chicago, she was able to show me the ways of the city. Since she is from Chicago, she invited me to come for a home cooked meal. The food was delicious and it was nice change of pace.

Student Teaching - Weeks # 10 & 11

by Jessica Stob Mills - Daniel Boone Elementary School

Life in the City Student Teaching

These past two weeks have been very exciting at Chicago Semester. October 31 came and went and the students were all dressed up in school! It’s weird being too old to trick-or-treat. I know that I haven’t been able to for a while, but I really wanted some of the candy passing between the students.

One of the things we are required to do for Chicago Semester Student Teaching is to create an online portfolio. One part of that portfolio needs to consist of a video lesson. So over these past two weeks we all turned in video lessons. I didn’t really have an issue being video-taped but the whole process really took a long time.

Life in the City at Chicago Semester

With Halloween over and video-lessons turned in, we looked forward to the Hunger Banquet. The Hunger Banquet involved all of Chicago Semester students, faculty and staff, along with a few guests. Without our knowledge, we were placed in groups labeled upper-class, middle-class, lower-class and homeless. After hearing some facts about hunger within the Chicago-land area, we sat at our assigned "table": a five course meal for the upper-class; chicken legs, mashed potatoes, vegetables and dessert for the middle-class; chicken nuggets, beans and rice on the floor for the lower-class; and the homeless had to get their food, which was rice, from another room and beg for more food from others. It was a very thought-provoking, fact-filled evening that ended with us taking leftover food to homeless people on the streets of Chicago.

11/11/11 was not only Veteran’s Day but was also Citizenship Day for Chicago Semester. As the semester progresses, the general students and the student teachers at Chicago Semester spend less and less time together. So, not only was this a day for us to get together but also a time to volunteer. I went to the Urban Art Retreat in the North Lawndale neighborhood. The Urban Art Retreat is a place for under-noticed artists to display their artwork. It is also a place for people from the community to come and do arts and crafts as well as a place for woman in transition to board for a short while. There we cleaned areas that haven’t been cleaned for a while and we were invovled in a small “quilting” art project that will benefit the community.

Life in the City Outside of Student Teaching

Lastly, this past weekend I went with friends to the Haymarket Pub and to Forever Yogurt in the Wicker Park neighborhood with two other CS student teachers, Samantha and Samantha!

Student Teaching - Week #9

by Jessica Stob Mills - Daniel Boone Elementary School

Life in the City Student Teaching



Emily Oaks Nature Center

 This week was an exciting week of student teaching. In science the third graders are learning all about water. So, on Monday we went on a field trip to Emily Oaks Nature Center to learn about this key to life. We all got on a bus, which is exciting for the students because for most of them the only time they ride on a school bus is when they are going on field trips, and began our day outside next to a pond. We didn't just learn about water but also three other keys for life: oxygen, sun and soil. The students had a lot of fun and they learned quite a bit as well. Unfotunately, the rest of the afternoon didn't go as well.  When we got back to school, one student had to go home because of bed bugs, another student threw up, and another had an accident in class. These are all things they don't necessarily prepare you for in school. I wasn't glad that they happened and all in one afternoon none-the-less, but I'm glad they happened so that I got experience with how to deal with everything. 

Math bulletin board

On Tuesday we worked hard to catch up after being away for a field trip the day before.  Wednesday my cooperating teacher was sick so I had to take over and change a lot of my plans and Thursday was catch up day. Friday was a professional development day for teachers. It was a very different week, but it was nice to have it short because the students were excited all week in anticipation of Halloween. 

Life in the City outside of Student Teaching

Normally I drive to seminar class every week, since that’s how I get around. But typical Chicago Semester students take public transportation (really I should say smart Chicago Semester students). I decided this past week to take public transportation to seminar because the cost of parking was just a little too much for me every week. So another Chicago Semester student teacher and I walked to the bus and after the bus got on the "L" (that’s what they call the trains in Chicago, it stands for elevated trains). It took a really long time since we student teach so far North, but I’m glad I took public transportation since it didn’t cost me anything!

What I am looking forward to…

I’m looking forward to seeing all my students dressed up in their Halloween costumes because they are allowed to wear them to school on Monday. Also, I’m looking forward to the Hunger Banquet, an event that’s taking place at the Chicago Semester offices. We’re moving in to our new place this week too, so of course I’m looking forward to that!

Student Teaching - Week #8

by Jessica Stob Mills - Daniel Boone Elementary School

Life in the City Student Teaching



Lake Shore Drive


As I sit here thinking about what to write for my 8^th week of student teaching, I have a hard time separating the weeks in my head. I think it means that life is starting to normalize. Things don’t surprise me too much anymore and everyday seems to go similarly to the day before. Although, that doesn’t mean that every day is boring, I have to say quite the contrary. Everyday seems so packed that I sometimes wonder if I’ll accomplish everything.

It is the middle of the term so we had to complete our mid-term evaluations this past week. It wasn’t too painful. I understood every word and concept on the evaluation unlike some evaluations that I have had to fill out for previous terms. I’m glad that we have another half of the term left though; I want to improve on my creativity within my lessons.

This week we had some future Chicago Semester student teachers come to visit the school that I’m teaching at. I gave them a tour and hopefully answered some questions and gave some good advice. It was a nice break from teaching.

Life in the City Outside of Student Teaching

With friends in Grant Park

This week I went to the Joffrey Ballet to see Don Quixote with the fine arts group. It was a beautiful ballet. I remembered reading the story in Spanish when I was in high school so it was interesting to see it.

It was also a busy week cleaning for a showing on our apartment (that was actually a no-show). Also, I threw a surprise birthday party for my husband on Saturday. He had absolutely no idea! A lot of people showed up, and after getting a haircut and getting the oil changed he walked into a clean house with a bunch of friends there to greet him!

What I am looking forward to…

I think for the next week or so I will be looking forward to getting my packing and un-packing done. Moving into my new apartment in the Wicker Park area is going to be a little stressful as next week I will be starting full-time student teaching!

Student Teaching - Week #7

by Jessica Stob Mills - Daniel Boone Elementary

Life in the City Student Teaching

It wasn’t as hot outside this past week; in fact I started to wear some sweaters, although, the classroom was still hot. That is one thing they never teach you in school, how to plow through teaching when you are just so hot.

I enjoy teaching math; I teach the whole first part of the day, which is exciting. I started teaching the little third graders multiplication this past week! This coming week I will be gathering all my information for starting my unit plan. Hopefully it will all come together this week.

In an assignment for Chicago Semester this week, I had to interview an administrator on what they look for in an interview. I talked with the assistant principal at Daniel Boone and it was quite interesting. I actually think that was one of the more valuable assignments that we have had. I felt like she was letting me in on the secrets of the teacher hiring process.

Life in the City outside of Student Teaching

It was such a busy week for my husband and I. There were a lot of late nights finishing homework assignments and early morning rushes. It’s never fun to walk our dog in the rain either and it rained.

New Apartment Building



I think the most awesome thing that happened this past week is that we put a security deposit down on a new apartment in Ukrainian Village, which is north and west of the Loop. The apartment is beautiful, I can’t wait to move in! 

What I am looking forward to…

I’m looking forward to handing in another assignment on Tuesday, it feels good to get everything accomplished that I’m supposed to. I’m also looking forward to organizing and packing everything we need to this week as well as going to the Joffrey Ballet to see Don Quixote!

Student Teaching - Week #6

by Jessica Stob Mills - Daniel Boone Elementary School

Life in the City Student Teaching

Full time student teaching is creeping up on me.  Last week went by so slow while I was in it but so fast in the grand scheme of things. Midterm evaluations are coming up next week and that means that I will be full time in just one or two short weeks.

I am keeping very busy.  I took over math and taught about magic squares, which is a fun unit. When I was teaching social studies, I was surprised to discover that none of my students really knew who Christopher Columbus was. There are so many things to learn about students, one of them is what their previous knowledge is.

View from my apartment

 This past week was pretty warm! I couldn’t believe in October, after a rainy cold week that we would have weather in the 70’s. It was nice but I was a little too uncomfortable in the class with no airflow.  Looking out the window made me long to be out and about in the sunshine and changing leaves.

Life in the City outside of Student Teaching

It was such a busy week. Getting observed and handing in the neighborhood project was a lot of work to make everything look nice, and that means that I stayed up late nights and woke up early. But, I did get to enjoy a nice long weekend.

On Saturday we went to Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL. Cantigny is a beautiful park originally owned by Robert McCormick. His huge mansion is now a museum and there is another museum that teaches about the different wars in America.  You can view the trenches of World War II and the barracks of those wars, as well as the jungles of the Vietnam War. Outside on the grounds are numerous different tanks from the war that you can climb on and beautiful gardens to walk through.

On Sunday I went to church at Covenant PCA around Wicker Park; it is a beautiful church with great music and preaching. On Monday we went to a Columbus Day parade on Columbus Drive and also went to the Field Museum. It was such a good weekend!

What I am looking forward to…

I’m looking forward to teaching more and taking on more responsibilities in the classroom. I’m also looking forward to this weekend since we will attend a friend's wedding and hopefully explore more of the city.



Student Teaching - Week #5

by Jessica Stob Mills - Daniel Boone Elementary School

Life in the City Student Teaching

This past week was probably one of the busiest so far with student teaching. I know they are just going to get busier. It has been fun though. On Tuesday we got out for half-a-day to do a survey of the school and neighborhood, one of the seminar requirements for student teaching. Since Sam and I are teaching at the same school, Daniel Boone Elementary in West Rogers Park, we got to go out and survey the neighborhood together.

We traveled around the perimeters of the schools district to see the diversity of the neighborhood, which is actually one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the nation. We saw a beautiful community park and community house, and so many different types of houses and stores. We talked to a stranger on the street walking his dog and we interviewed two different community organizers and an administrator. They all had enlightening things to say about the neighborhood where we are teaching.

I feel so enlightened after learning more about the richness of the neighborhood I am in 5 days out of 7 in the week. I cannot believe that in our school there are nearly 40 different languages spoken and the staff is very diverse as well, mirroring the community around the school.

Life in the City Outside of Student Teaching

Unfortunately, I was sick this week with the stomach flu on Thursday. I think I might have gotten it from one of my students. That’s one of the not so pretty parts of Student Teaching. Also, because of being sick on Thursday, I had to miss a fine arts event at the Steppenwolf Theater… so sad.

Over the weekend I was feeling well enough to go attend Germany’s Best and Oktoberfest at Navy Pier with my friend and her German husband. This is the first year that the German American Services Inc. has put on this celebration and it is supposed to be very similar to the types of fests you would see in Germany. It was fun being able to eat authentic imported German food underneath big tents, while listening to some German music being played, with my friends.  

What I am looking forward to…

I am looking forward to teaching the next math unit. We are going to make turtles that have to do with magic squares, something we are learning with addition in our unit. I am also looking forward to seeing the beautiful colors come out as the seasons are changing. I already see yellows and reds of the changing leaves!

Student Teaching - Week #4

by Jessica Stob Mills - Daniel Boone Elementary School

Life in the City Student Teaching

Recently I, Jessica, “graduated” from Calvin College with a Special Education and Elementary Education degree; I just have my final student teaching placement here in Chicago. This summer after finishing my Special Education student teaching, I came back home to the Chicago suburbs to finish planning my wedding and then I got married. I’ve been living in the city now since July and I see and experience something new everyday.

Coming up to week four in student teaching, I am feeling a sense of belonging. I think that there was an adjustment period that everybody has coming to a new place, but it has been definitely more of an adjustment than usual for me.
 

This week I have been trying out new routes to get to and from my student teaching placement. I live in the South Loop and Daniel Boone Elementary is way up on the most northern part of the city. I enjoy taking new routes because it lets me see different parts of Chicago, and let me tell you, they vary so much from neighborhood to neighborhood. Which, by the way, I learned, from Chicago Semester leaders no less, there are 77 different neighborhoods in Chicago

So, about that belonging bit I mentioned… This week at Daniel Boone we were getting ready for the open house, which was last Thursday. Even amongst the hustle and bustle of finishing up projects to show the parents, I was able to take on more responsibility with teaching and was observed for the first time! So far in my 3rd grade classroom,  I am teaching a sub-subject of math, number of the day and daily problem practice.  I am also starting to take on more responsibilities with guided reading groups and social studies. I really feel like I’m becoming more of a predominant role in the classroom; it makes me feel like I have a sense of ownership and belonging.

Life in the City Outside of Student Teaching

This past weekend the students who live in the Chicago Semester housing held a Progressive Dinner. It is such a neat idea. Three apartments provided appetizers, then everyone went to three different apartments for dinner, and the evening ended with dessert at three more apartments.  

I went to Chicago's own Goose Island Brewery this weekend. It is so fun to take advantage of all the cool places you can go to in Chicago. 

What I am looking forward to...

I think for next week the thing I am looking forward to the most is probably… gulp… tackling the neighborhood project. I’ve got a partner in crime to help me out with it (another student teacher who teaches with me, Samantha S.) but I’m still a little nervous because this is one of the first big projects we get graded on.