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| Kori, Taylor, Bailey, Rebecca, Joo-Hyang, and Renee with Lisa |
Imagine that an education major from your college is
considering student teaching at Chicago Semester. Consider what you would
tell that person in order to encourage him/her to apply to Chicago Semester
Renee
Art – Central College
Student
taught at Foreman High School
This experience is one that you will never forget and definitely should
consider being a part of. This program is very challenging but you learn more
about yourself and others than you will ever know. The things I enjoyed most
about this experience include, working at an urban school, living in the middle
of the city and becoming a Chicagoan, living with people from many different
schools across the country, being challenged and figuring out how to manage life
like money, transit, food and fun. I learned so much through this program. I
learned how to manage my time; you think you know how to do this from college,
but you don’t you learn it here! I learned how to live with a new person that I
never met. I learned how to live in a city filled with millions of people. I
learned how to TEACH! This experience is once in a lifetime and something you
shouldn’t pass up!
Kori Aubel –
University of Mount Union
Student taught at
Kenwood Academy
The experience I had through Chicago Semester is one I will
never forget! The part that I enjoyed most about this experience is getting to
live in the city! I am from a very small town so getting to experience living
in the big city was really exciting!
I believe that teaching in Chicago has really opened my eyes to
diversity. I had never been in such a diverse learning environment and this
experience really helped me to see the differences between rural and urban
education. I think every teacher should experience teaching in the city,
learning about the differences in education between rural and urban schools.
I would strongly encourage someone who was considering the
Chicago semester experience to just do it! It may seem a little overwhelming
but it is definitely worth it. This experience really gives you a chance to
grow as a person and a teacher. The lessons you learn here truly are priceless.
Joo-Hyang Lee –
Calvin College
Student taught at
Mark Sheridan Math & Science Academy
If you want to
experience what it is like to teach in inner-city schools, Chicago Semester is
a good program. It is definitely out of your comfort zone but it broadens your
views about education, city, students, and teachers. You will definitely see
and experience students with diverse backgrounds. Some students have parents
who are gang members and you hear their stories.
You will get to
learn more about yourself and your teaching style. In classrooms, you heard,
read, and discussed about inner city schools and students. Then you talk about
how you can “fix” the issues. Once you come to Chicago for student teaching,
you realize that it is not that easy.
While student
teaching you can also explore the city. It depends on what you like doing, but
for me I enjoyed visiting different coffee shops, local cupcake houses, local
restaurants, and little shops. Transportation is accessible anywhere that if
you want to go somewhere, it is a bus or subway ride away.
Taylor Schroyer –
Calvin College
Student taught at
Perez Elementary
The thing that I enjoyed the most about the
Chicago Semester experience was getting the experience of what life will be
like post-college. We got the experience
of living in a big city, using public transportation, and work. I really enjoyed learning about how to
navigate through a big city. I think
this experience has really helped me feel prepared to go into the "real
world" post college because I have had the experience of living and
working in a city already. I would
definitely encourage anyone to apply to do Chicago Semester, but especially
people that are interested in working in an urban setting in the future. I have always wanted to work in an urban
school and I think this semester has given me great insight into what that will
actually be like when I graduate.
Chicago Semester gives you the work experience of being in an urban
setting, but you also get the experience of living in an urban setting and what
that really means.
Rebecca Verhage –
Trinity Christian College
Student taught at
Walsh Elementary
My favorite thing about doing Chicago Semester is being
able to live in the same community as my students. I know this is a new thing
for Chicago Semester because this is the first year this housing opportunity
has been available, but I honestly think it made the program for me. I have found
that I have gotten a lot out of living in the same community as my students. A
lot of teachers drive into the neighborhood from other parts of the city and
because they see me in their community, the students accepted me into their
school community more easily. Also,
I have really enjoyed seeing where it is they live and what types of things
affect their daily lives. I was walking home one day and met a couple of my
students coming out of a corner store and they wanted me to try their hot
Cheetos with nacho cheese on top, which I did, and we talked for a bit. I found
out later that almost all their friends know that I stopped and talked with
them. Another day I met a student riding his bike in the neighborhood and he
rode by me with a shocked glance, which was hilarious, and then that opened
some conversation with him later. When they see you in the community, they tell
all their friends and you become part of that community. Also being in the
community lent itself well to my being able to go to some of their volleyball
and basketball games which means a lot to them, even if they don’t talk to you
at the game, they ask you the next day if you’re going to come to all the rest
of their games too. Living in the area your students live helps them know that
you in it with them.
My second favorite part was the
art events. I think they were totally worth it. In the busyness that comes with
student teaching, I would not have had time to look up different things to go
do and see so it is nice to have something planned for you every week and I
have loved all of the events so far. It has helped me to get to know and see
other areas of Chicago and learn how to use public transit better too. It is
also a great way to hang out and get to know other people in the program, so I
would definitely recommend it to anyone doing the program.
Through this experience I have
been reassured that I am in the right profession. There were a couple times
that I wasn’t sure if I was really cut out for teaching. Some days were hard
and I had a hard time with classroom management at the start. But regardless of
the type of day I had, I never left school mad at the kids and I never dreading
going to school, even as early as it seemed sometimes. Whenever I left on a day
that had been a bit hard, I kept thinking about how I was going to do things
differently to reach that student. What was going to make a difference for that
kid. And every day when I got home, I could not help but spew stories about my
students. They are hilarious and wonderful and they have become my life. The
students are what make teaching worth it. It the little victories that mean the
most, whether it is the raising of the grade, an unexpected compliance of a
student to do what you have asked them, or a willingness of them to confide in
you. That’s why I want to go into teaching; to build relationships and make a
difference in my students’ lives if possible.
Bailey Yoder –
University of Mount Union
Student taught at
Kelly High School
Student teaching in
Chicago is an eye opening experience. It is wonderfully hectic, crazy, busy,
stressful, and extraordinary all at the same time. The most rewarding experience
I had this semester was the fact that I got to meet so many outstanding people,
both teachers and students. I learned so much about the career, and myself in
this experience. I learned that it is not all sunshine and rainbows every day.
You’re going to have major thunderstorms, and maybe even a tornado. But you
can’t let it derail you. Keep going. An administrator in my school told me that
the best thing a new teacher can have is perseverance. Persevere through the
storm and stay on the train. The end result will reveal the sunshine.
