Featured Alumna - April 2023
My time at Chicago Christian High School had a profound impact on my life. The relationships I formed and the experiences I had have stayed with me long after graduation. The school prepared me for the challenges of higher education and helped me discover my passion for education. I am grateful for the opportunities I had at CCHS and the impact it has had and still has on my life. Some of my fondest memories at CCHS come from the friendships I made within the community. My friends from CCHS are still some of my closest friends to this day. I appreciated the sense of community at the school and the way we all looked out for each other. It was a supportive environment that encouraged personal growth and development. One of my favorite classes while at CCHS was AP US History with Mr. Altena. His passion for the subject was contagious and he inspired my love for history. I remember being captivated by his storytelling and the way he brought historical events to life. It was in his class that I realized I wanted to pursue a career in education, specifically history education.
Since graduation, I have pursued my passion for history and education. I attended Northern Illinois University, where I majored in history with a certificate in secondary education. My first job after college was as a teacher at an alternative school on the south side of Chicago. It was a challenging three years, but I learned so much during that time. Working with students who faced numerous challenges, including poverty, violence, and trauma, was tough, but I was able to connect with them and learn from them. Despite the challenges, I always had a love for teaching, and it was during those years that I realized the impact that a dedicated and compassionate teacher can have on their students. That's why I was so excited when I saw a job opening for a social studies position at Chicago Christian High School. I applied for the job and was thrilled to get it.
Now, as a social studies teacher at CCHS, I am on the other side of the desk, and I am helping students just like the teachers used to help me. I have loved being back here in classroom B19, which used to be the Mod Tech room for those who remember. I’m about to finish my 6th of teaching at CCHS and hope to have many more. I have loved being part of the volleyball program as a JV Volleyball coach and the track program as a throws coach. I’m especially excited to have the opportunity to lead a group of CCHS students, parents, and faculty to Italy this summer for an educational trip overseas!
It is a rewarding experience to be able to give back to the school community that helped shape who I am today. I feel privileged to be able to share my love of learning and passion for government, psychology, and sociology with my students, and to inspire them to pursue their dreams, just like my teachers did for me.
SCCS Association Office
12001 S. Oak Park Avenue
Palos Heights, IL 60463
708.388.7656
Palos Heights, IL 60463
708.388.7656