Middle School ELA Teacher, Reading and Writing Enthusiast

Jake B.

Hello there! I’m Jake, and I’m a Middle School ELA and Social Studies Teacher. I am a graduate of Illinois State University with a double Bachelor’s in English and Philosophy. I am certified to teach English Language Arts for grades 6 through 12, and I also teach Middle School Social Studies. I keep my classroom a calm and safe space, and work to make my lessons engaging and relatable.

In my ELA classroom this past year, we had discussions and class work where we were able to work with the material through the lens of things like Stranger Things, Pixar films, and even the Marvel and Star Wars universes. We were able to make these connections because even hugely popular has foundations in the ELA disciplines of reading and writing.

I find this approach valuable not only because it makes the material relatable and engaging, but it helps to establish a positive working and social-emotional relationship with students. I develop a strong level of trust and respect with students, because when students feel safe, they become more confident in their abilities to learn and grow.

My approach leads to students feeling comfortable seeking extra help not only during class, but during lunch and after school. Much like a lesson, when I work one-on-one with students I introduce the material, connect it with student interests, model the expectations and do the work with the student, and then afford them time to work independently. With one-on-one tutoring, this plan is very flexible, and I can easily make adjustments as needed depending on the student's needs.

We need to take time to explore and unlock the elements of education that we connect with. I’ve always felt it is easier to learn when one can relate not just to what they’re learning, but who they’re learning it from. Learning can be difficult, but if we work to find what makes it engaging, then true growth can begin.