19 years ago at 22 years old, I accepted my very first job as a 4th grade teacher at Ravinia school in Highland Park. I had dreamed of being a teacher from the time I was 5 years old. My passion for working with children only grew with age. I knew the important role a teacher could play in a child’s life. I didn’t just want to teach, I wanted to support the social emotional health of all children. I wanted to provide my students with the tools and skills to handle all life’s challenges. Teaching them the academics wasn’t my concern. I knew I could do that if I could create a safe space for each of them to be who they needed to be. Teaching each and every 9 and 10 year old to love themselves for who they are, to treat others with kindness and compassion, to navigate difficult interactions, and to just show up each day, was my mission. Today, I look back on all of my classes, all of my students, their families, and their friends. I want to reach out to all them! I want to make sure ...
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