Monica Reynolds, 3rd Grade, Room 203

Monica Reynolds
3rd Grade, Room 203

I am from Chicago, Illinois and I completed all of my college education in the city. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and a Master’s degree in the Art of Teaching from Chicago State University. I teach because children are my passion and instruction is my gift. I improve my professional strategies by continuing my education and remaining connected to my students. I came to HILA with the intent of working with students with diverse needs and diverse strengths. I have always been seriously excited about the partnership we have with Pearson, the supplier of our curriculum. I am also privileged to work at HILA at have access to technology tools that our students need and desire to use as learning aids.

Personally, I facilitate a cooperative learning community. Students in my class work and learn with each other, and they learn from each other. My students have valuable roles and jobs to fulfill during the school day that are essential to learning. Students are encouraged to share their thoughts and ideas without criticism. I take a firm stance on safety. I believe the learning environment should be a place for students to feel safe physically, mentally and emotionally. I also believe that students should feel safe to make mistakes in the learning process. I have a role in the learning community. The students have a role in the learning community. Also, the families have a role in the learning community. I strongly believe that parents, grandparents and extended family members have a valuable role that include making a time and place for homework and study time, allowing the child to experience real world learning at museums and libraries and participating in school activities to which they are invited.

Now, I’d like to share a little about me personally. I have one brother. I have one daughter. I like to read and I participate in a book club monthly. I like to exercise and run. I love music. I have a dog, a shih tzu. I also, like to shop. In my spare time, I go to movies and cool restaurants. My favorite season is summer and I love the get out in the sun for bike rides. However, I do love sledding the in the winter too. I have a quiet since of humor. I crack jokes so only a few people can hear me. I am a bit shy and I don’t talk much in large groups, but if you get me in a small group I will definitely open up.