About Me
My name is Teresa B. Skupien. I am a 4th year teacher at a private middle school/junior high in Oak Lawn. I teach English Language Arts for grades 5 thru 8, as well as 8th grade Reading. Early on in my road to education, I knew I wanted to teach English to high schoolers, but when the opportunity came around to teach at this school, I felt that it was a sign for me to get started on my career.
Although
I have faced many challenges along the way: reteaching myself content for
grades 5-8, adjusting to a new set of standards, and mentally preparing myself
to teach 10- to 14-year-olds—I wouldn’t have had it any other way! I may have taught my students the basic fundamentals of reading and grammar, but they have taught me the importance of building classroom relationships and that a little bit of humor a day goes a long way.
Other Interests
I was brought up in a Polish Highlander home and have become very
in touch with my culture. I have been part of a Highlander dance team since the
age of 3, and have competed in several competitions (solo and with my team),
as well as worked with multiple non-profit organizations through the Polish
Highlanders Association in North America. Being a part of the Highlander community
in Chicago has allowed me to connect with my roots,
which is something I hope to pass on to my future children one day.
I also enjoy writing and photography. Since high school, I have been
playing around with my camera only to take on smaller photoshoots for
graduations, engagement, and birthday shoots.
Writing has been an outlet of mine ever since I could remember. I hope that the time I had
dedicated for my work will be worth it as I am hoping to be published in the future.
The Love/Hate Relationship with Technology
Growing up, we had computer classes throughout middle school where we were taught the basics of computer usage. We learned how to "surf the web," use Word applications, and print photos offline. Eventually, those basics turned into online support sites (games and research) we used for our lessons. When I think back to those boxy monitors lined up on large desks in the computer lab, I am quite amazed at how far technology has come--especially while I sit here and type away on my ultra-thin laptop. Thanks to those classes, I was able to catch on quickly to newer technology (computers, phones, tablets), and have been using them in my day-to-day life. My phone is always near me, even when I sleep, which is why I think my friends and family know that they can call me at any time of day (or night) because they know I'll answer. I use my computer each day to complete assignments, daily PowerPoints, prep for my lessons, and to scroll through social media. When Covid first hit in 2020, I was the first teacher at my school to implement Zoom calls with my students and ended up becoming our faculty's to-go tech-teacher when we help staff meetings during quarantine. Knowing how to work my way around a computer and solve camera and audio issues made me feel like I was able to bring something to the table as a young educator. As I get older, I now see that these younger generations know even more, and will soon be the ones who teach me a thing or two about newer technology, websites, and apps.
Social Media in My Life
Although I was introduced to social media in the 6th grade (with a fake MySpace account--as everyone did back in 2007), it has truly come a long way over the last decade. Being introduced to it so early on, I thought I knew everything there is to know about social. With having Facebook, three Instagram accounts (one personal, one for my teacher posts, and one for my photography page), and a SnapChat, I thought that I was pretty savvy with technology. Unfortunately, when TikTok came into play, it was my students who were teaching me how to use the fun, and time-consuming, video app. After being influenced by my kiddos to create an account, I have managed to occasionally use TikTok as a resource in my lessons. It's a great way to keep students engaged and show them that though they are younger, our similar interests can connect back to learning in an exciting way.
EDU 776 
Image Source: Tenor
I'm both nervous and excited about taking this course! Nervous because I always feel as though I have too much on my plate at the beginning of the school year, and I feel like I'm going to either run out of time, or that I'll forget something. I'm excited because I want to learn more about how I can use technology in the classroom and incorporate it as an engaging tool for my students, rather than assigning them extra practice or "busy work" on their Chrome Books.
Hi Teresa, it is very nice to meet you! I also teach middle-grades LA (currently at 7th-grade but have also taught 6th and 8th), and your point about having to mentally prepare could not have been more spot on. I had a similar experience where I originally thought that I wanted to teach high school, but got my first job at a junior high and have never looked back!
ReplyDeleteYour point about forging relationships and infusing a little bit of humor really resonated with me, and I think it connects to your final point about using technology when it increases engagement-when more and more time for students is spent doing work on their computers, it becomes even more vital that we identify those opportunities to make interpersonal connections with kids, so that school doesn't ever feel like a time where they just plug in for a day.
I look forward to continuing through this course with you!
Thanks for such a detailed introduction to who you are, Teresa. I think it's great that your students were able to hook you on TikTok! I'm looking forward to learning with you this fall.
ReplyDeleteHi, Teresa, nice to meet you! Like you I originally thought I was going to teach High School but then landed a few jobs teaching art to the Middle Schools and found that they are one my favorite grades to teach. Thanks for being so open and honest, like you I am too a little nervous and excited too for this course. We have a hobby in common, photography! Its been awhile since I have done some photo sessions for people but still something I enjoy. I taught traditional dark room for a few yrs in my first few yrs of teaching, but that is a dying art as we now digital photography is become the norm and preferred method. I love that you have a Instagram profile for your teaching. I think it is great how teachers can share ideas and concepts so easily through digital media. Maybe I'll join that bandwagon soon. Looking forward to learning with you this fall.
ReplyDeleteHi, Teresa,
ReplyDeleteI am so excited that we are taking this class together. The year we taught together was my last year at an amazing school. They are lucky to have such a talented and driven ELA teacher. You have such an interesting cultural life. I have learned many things from you about Polish Highlanders and chocolate covered cheese! I love that you have connected to your students through social media. I know they love that you post on TikTok. Fun fact about you that others should know, you have an amazing singing voice!
Hi Teresa,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have a lot of interesting things going on outside of work. I think it's so important for educators to have an outlet to get their minds off teaching and lesson planning because our jobs are so mentally taxing we need to turn it off sometimes.
I keep telling myself I need to get into Tik Tok because I think it could be super useful in creating short, instructional math videos and it might actually get my kids excited about math (even if they are laughing at me because I'm corny, at least it would be memorable!). I've also considered creating a teacher Instagram account, but then I doubt if anyone would even be interested in my ideas and I am reluctant to do it. Kudos to you for putting yourself out there! I bet a lot of people benefit from what you put out there. I think the best way to keep up with the trends of kids these days is to make sure we are versed in technology because honestly it's what consumes their lives!