CHICAGO — Literacy teacher Jillian Nolke is now in her 13th year of teaching. She pursued teaching because she wanted a career where she could inspire a love for books, but she found that her career path has been rewarding in many unexpected ways.
For many, middle school isn’t necessarily synonymous with kindness. But in Ms. Nolke’s literacy class at Skinner North Classical School it’s a driving force: Be kind and be free to be yourself.
“Middle schoolers are figuring out who they are,” she said. “And I want them to have a safe place in my classroom to be weird and to experiment with what they like and who they want to be and read books where they could read characters who are also weird and just like are kind, and I think that goes pretty easy to be kind. And I want the kids to be weird and kind.”
And it’s that desire for kindness that led her to Skinner North on the Chicago’s North Side. She started off teaching high school but felt she could have a greater impact with younger students.
“And I think I really like being a part of that journey for them and exposing them to all sorts of different interests, so that they can decide,” she said. “And then hopefully go to high school and be a really good person.”
It’s that supportive environment that motivated 7th grader Aiden Seawood to nominate Ms Nolke for Teacher of the Month.
“I like kinda enjoy the vibe. You know, it’s calm. It’s relaxing,” he said. “I feel supported because if I get stuck on an assignment, she helps me. She just helps a lot.”
And in that spirit, she learns about the students’ interests and helps match them with books that build enthusiasm for reading. It’s a personalized approach that leads to a vibrant classroom. The focus in on substantive work, not quantity and second chances may be granted.
“No matter what’s going on outside of the class, I think the students really look for that consistency and stability in the classroom,” she said. “And it was just like an honor to know that I provide that.”
Howard Ankin of Ankin Law presented her with a $1,000 check.
But she says it’s an honor for her to watch her students grow between 7th and 8th grade.
“I think it’s finding … those little moments of joy. As you can have one class period that doesn’t go the way that you want, but then the next class period a kid might walk in and share what they did with the weekend unprompted, and you’re like, ‘Oh you want to tell me!’” she said. “And so those little relationship building things make it worthwhile to return the next day and the next day.”
Ms. Nolke says she plans to use the money to buy more books for the 7th and 8th grade reading section in their school library.
Lauren Jiggetts
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