Retired High School English Teacher; 33 Years in the Classroom

Jim R.

I'm Jim! I graduated summa cum laude back in 1986 with a degree in English education. I was a high school English teacher for 33 years, 30 of those in the Chicago suburbs. I retired in 2019, and I can promise you that no one ever had more fun teaching for 33 years than I did. I believe that education needs to be fun to be effective, and I do my absolute best to make learning enjoyable and interesting for my students. I also have a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and I currently supervise student teachers for Illinois State University, a position I have held since I retired from teaching in 2019. I tutored in college and during my 33-year teaching career, and I served as a volunteer tutor at the St. Charles Youth Correctional Facility.

I have always felt that if my students are not enjoying the learning experience, then I'm not doing my job. English is a subject with which many students struggle, which is why I take a positive, enthusiastic, fun approach to the subject. Even grammar can be fun if attacked with the right attitude, and my instruction is as much about motivation and attitude as it is imparting knowledge to my students. My goal for all my students is to change the way they see the English language and develop an appreciation for its role in enhancing the rest of their lives.

I take my job as an educator extremely seriously. I have been working in education for the last 39 years, and I still believe it is possible to learn from my students. To me, there is no profession that is more noble or worthwhile than teaching, and it is my hope that all my students benefit not just during the time they spend with me, but for the rest of their lives.