Student Teaching Introduction

by Rebecca Verhage - Walsh Elementary

The view from the L (elevated train)
Roommates at La Casa

Welcome readers! I’d just like to begin with a little disclaimer. I’ve never really considered myself to be the blog writing type and am afraid my entrees might not be quite as well written as others before me but I’ll do my best.

As for who I am, my name is Rebecca Verhage and I come from a rural town in the middle of Washington state. The part of Washington I’m from is technically a desert, a fact most people don’t know, because of the lack of precipitation it receives. Therefore, we have irrigated farmland. I was raised in the outskirts of town where my family has raised a menagerie of livestock. Just from this short blurb you can probably guess the difference between my home and where I live now.

Other information you might like to know is that I am a fifth year senior finishing up an Elementary Education degree at Trinity Christian College, and am due to graduate in December!!! For those of you who have been near the end of a four or five year degree, you understand my enthusiastic anticipation.  However, I am very content and excited to be living in the Pilsen neighborhood for the next three months in order to have the opportunity to live and work in a city as grand as Chicago.

John A. Walsh Elementary School
Pilsen Neighborhood

For my internship, I have been placed at Walsh Elementary School in the Pilsen neighborhood in which I live. Pilsen is on the southwest side of Chicago and is predominately a Hispanic area. It is a wonderful place to enjoy authentic Mexican dishes and pastries! I am really glad to be living in the same area as my students because I have been able to get a better idea of what their day to day lives are like by living it myself. I also really enjoy the Hispanic culture evident throughout the streets.

I am working with the Language Arts teacher for the seventh graders at Walsh. They are great kids and each day is full of the drama of middle school students but also the laughs and the giggles. I have been fortunate to have received a very supportive cooperating teacher and think I am off to a good start to the semester but more about that later.

Living in the city is something that drew me to the Chicago Semester program. I was going to school in the suburbs so I had visited the city often but living in it is so different. In a matter of weeks, my general knowledge of city locations has grown so that I no longer need a map to move get around. I have become a natural at riding public transit and have enjoyed that as well. A benefit of city living is opportunities it offers. There are always things going on and things to do in the city from the Jazz festival I went to with my roommates in Millennium Park, the Mexican independence parade just outside our apartment, a play featuring Dr. King at the Court Theater and accessibility to the beach.

Mexican Independence Day Parade in Pilsen

Chicago semester does a great job with their Arts and the city program and with letting us know about free things going on in Chicago that we can participate in. I’m looking forward to learning more and sharing with you about my experiences in Chicago and the classroom!

Be blessed.

End of Semester Thoughts #2

Student Teaching in a Chicago Elementary School

Victoria, Becca, Kelsey, and Julia

Julia Harrison – Hope College                                                               

Student taught at Healy Elementary School 

Student teaching in Chicago is a life-changing experience that I think every education student would benefit from. Originally, I wanted to student teach in Chicago to be closer to home and because I knew it was where I wanted to come back to. What I didn’t realize was how much I would learn from the semester. The most enjoyable part of the Chicago Semester experience for me was student teaching. Being able to student teach in Chicago Public Schools is something I will now always be able to say that I did successfully. I learned a lot about the diversity of the city. In the classroom I was in, I observed every day how much culture affects a student’s behavior and learning experience. By working every day with students of a culture different than my own, I learned to appreciate people’s differences. Student teaching in Chicago helped me build my confidence and made me more comfortable to be in a classroom. I am happy that I decided to student teach in Chicago because I know it has prepared me for my own future classroom.

Victoria Johnston - Dordt College

Student taught at Mitchell Elementary School

Living in Chicago for three months has been one of the most exciting semesters of my life. I have had the opportunity to teach in a great school, have new experiences and live within walking distance of almost anything I want to do. My favorite part of that has been weekly arts events. There have been plays, the symphony (seeing Yo-Yo Ma), professional dance companies and museums. Without the weekly push to go somewhere I would not have had the chance to truly experience the city. I learned through this semester that I love city life and teaching. Before coming to Chicago I wanted to do urban education, but was not sure if I would eventually change my mind. Teaching here has confirmed my desire to bring an excellent education and great classroom environment to as many students as possible. I am dreading fading out of teaching and giving responsibilities back to my cooperating teacher because they are my kids now and I do not want to say goodbye. I wish I could finish the semester with them and participate in events like field day at the end of the year. As a personal lover of food I have eaten out an exorbitant amount of times, but the experience is worth it.

Kelsey Carpenter - Hope College

Student taught at Mitchell Elementary and Whitney Young Magnet High School

Chicago semester has been one of the most challenging and rewarding semesters I’ve ever had! I loved meeting new people in the program and sharing their excitement through this journey. Living with students from other Christian schools has given me community, fellowship, and support. Chicago semester has tested my perseverance greatly. It provides endless opportunities for those who are ready to take on new adventures and challenge one’s growth as a person and professional.

Becca Cargould - University of Mount Union

Student taught at Ray Elementary School

What I have enjoyed the most about the Chicago Semester experience is the sense of accomplishment. I am not going to lie, Chicago Semester is a lot of work, but you learn a lot about teaching and a lot about yourself. This semester I learned that despite all the late nights, stress and mountains of work, I do in fact love teaching. I also learned that I possess way more patience than I thought was humanly possible. Mostly I learned that no matter where you go, students are students and they have the same needs and wants and they will make you smile every day. They will make you want to pull your hair out but leaving them will be the hardest thing you do all semester.

End of Semester Thoughts #1

Student Teaching in a Chicago High School

Tess, Michael, and Amelia

Michael Ison - University of Mount Union
Student taught at Taft High School

My placement at Taft High School has been incredible. Although I had 5 large classes, I had the best group of students I could ask for. My cooperating teacher was an amazing help, and overall my experience could not have gone better. I never once woke up feeling like I didn’t want to go to school. I had so much fun teaching my group of students. The experience of living downtown is life changing and eye opening. After 3 short months I feel like a true Chicagoan, a real Taft Eagle, and I’m not ready to go home yet.

Tess Roseburrough - Central College
Student taught at Taft High School

I absolutely loved my time with Chicago Semester. I really enjoyed the variety of arts events offered and it was one of the ways that I stayed in touch with other students who were not student teachers. It was a great way to see parts of Chicago that I would have had to otherwise take time to look for. I also liked orientation week where we had a variety of meals from different cultures. We met everyone in the program before we started our respective placements and then we bonded with our fellow teachers by searching for a delicious restaurant in Chinatown. As for the student teaching itself, my placement was phenomenal and Chicago Semester did a great job making sure that I was supported and helped me reflect and process along the way. The curriculum was structured in a way that helped me improve my organization and time management skills. I definitely can say that I am more self-disciplined as a result of the Chicago Semester experience.

Amelia Giacovelli - Central College

Student taught at Mather High School

Student teaching through Chicago Semester is a once in a lifetime experience that can only help mold you into a better teacher.  Now don’t get me wrong, it does come with its challenges but the experiences that are really worth it are bound to have things that will test you and put you out of your comfort zone.  However, the things you gain from student teaching in a Chicago Public School outweigh all the difficulties that you may come across.  I have enjoyed so many aspects of Chicago Semester but the one thing I enjoyed the most was having a supportive supervisor who was always willing and available to help and guide me, especially through the challenges.  My supervisor’s advice and wisdom has been truly insightful throughout this experience.  But beyond that, I have learned a lot about myself through student teaching in Chicago.  It has shown me that I am capable of teaching diverse inner city students and that I can handle various situations that arise in the classroom.  I have also learned that I am still learning myself and always have room for improving in concerns to teaching.  I feel better prepared to take on a classroom of my own through this experience and am grateful that I decided to lose sight of the shore.  I have a favorite quote that I feel really encompasses my experience while in Chicago:  “You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.”  I hope that you will decide to seize this opportunity because you can only gain valuable experiences that will better prepare you for your future.