Mckayla H.

Why They Want to Substitute Teach

I have my Professional Educator License and have been teaching middle school social studies at a private school in southern Illinois for the last two years. Although full-time teaching is my long-term goal, I moved to Lakeview in Chicago a couple of weeks ago and believe that substitute teaching is the most meaningful way to experience a diverse range of classroom makeups, teaching strategies, and school cultures in a new area. I am looking forward to using my experience to connect meaningfully with students on a day-to-day basis, while simultaneously gaining experience and familiarity with Chicago schools as a newer resident of the city.

About Them

I chose to become a teacher because I believe that seeing students for who they are as people above who they are as academics can have extraordinary impact, and is the primary way to help them thrive throughout their educational journey. Over the course of my time studying to teach social studies, I grew extremely passionate about the study of history, the way stories are told and preserved, and the way that those stories shape our interpretation of information in the present. The idea of making the history that I love accessible to students of all ages and backgrounds is something I have grown extremely passionate about. I have also seen first-hand the way history can be used as a vessel to help students find their own passions, and this has greatly strengthened my desire to empower students and help them to recognize value in themselves. I also love running, reading, watching baseball, and investing time in relationships with others. Growing up, I was greatly influenced by the importance that my family placed on Christian faith, and especially the way that it motivated them to live generously, connect in community, and care for those who did not always have the means to easily care for themselves.

Experience with Children

I was a full time middle school social studies teacher during the 2024-2026 school years. I was also a nanny for a widowed mother with 4 daughters for these two years (ages ranged from 4-13 when I started). This job was often full care, including overnight and sole responsibility for children when their mother was out of town. From 2018-2022, I served as a camp counselor for middle and high schoolers in the summer, and as a tutor during the school year for elementary and middle school students (at first independently, then in schools for America Reads / America Counts).

Prior Substitute Teaching

Grade Level Preferences

References

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