Her Story
About Rashida
I have been teaching for 33 years in Chicago Public Schools, and I specialize in early childhood literacy and Language Arts. My journey to my current role began when I brought the Wilson reading program into my school. My principal saw me teaching and noticed that the scores were coming out really good because the kids were coming out reading, and that led to me becoming a mentor. When the new Skyline curriculum came into CPS, I took it under my wings and started implementing it right away, organizing my classroom and structuring it in such a way that provides easy access to the curriculum. My principal was very happy and wanted me to show other teachers how to do that, which led to my current position as a coach-slash-teacher. In this role, I have 6 to 8 hours out of the classroom doing coaching for teachers, and then I also do my own teaching and lesson planning. I've taught first grade, second grade, and third grade, but the last 10 years I've been in first grade because that's my comfort grade. I believe that classroom management is the number one priority - if you have management and good structure, learning just happens. If you can help students become independent learners, teaching is very easy. I'm a lifelong learner myself, and I got my SPED and ESL certifications because the students we have require us to meet their needs and meet them where they're at. I earned my Master's degree from National Lewis, my special education certification from Sleuth Falls, and my ESL from Northeastern. All of that helps me in my teaching and with differentiated learning, because one glove doesn't fit all - you have to differentiate in the classroom.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Rashida
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my structure, to the way I plan my lessons, and how much work I put into my teaching. I just don't go in without a plan - every day, I plan my day before I walk into the classroom. Even though it's first grade, I still feel like I have to be prepared. I have to know who I'm teaching, and every kid, I know their learning styles, every single child. So when I go to my small groups, I know exactly what I need to bring on the table for them. It's about being intentional and knowing each student individually so I can meet their specific needs.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I think you have to hang on to it for 5 years. I've told my mentees last year, like, oh my god, this is too much work, too much work. Yes, it's a lot of work in the beginning, and the first 3 years, you really have to struggle, because you don't know what you're looking into, how you're planning - it takes a lot of planning. But once you're in it, and you're doing the job, and you figure out what works, and you experience both success and challenges, after 3 years, then you love your teaching. And before 3 years, if you quit, you've really quit. So you've got to give yourself 3 years. Also, don't come in for the summers, don't come in for the winter breaks - come in with a passion. It's a truly passionate job. You have to get gratification every day with that smile, and when a kid learns and a kid is able to read, it is the best thrill you can have in your life.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in education right now are that it's not enough pay. That's why young people don't want to go into teaching - they're getting more money with being in IT and consulting, and they can work from home and get more money, and that is a drawback. Another challenge is the respect - teachers are not getting respected anymore. Unfortunately, teachers make doctors, teachers make engineers, but no one sees it like that. There's also a lack of support from parents. I'm not talking about all parents, but uneducated parents who don't understand the importance of education - that makes a difference. These are the main obstacles facing our field today.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I think the most important value is to work diligently, with fidelity, honesty, and hard work. It comes with that. I mean, if you come to work, you have to put your hundred - not 100%, 200%. So then you feel good when you go home, like, I've done this job well. You have to give everything you have so that you can feel that sense of accomplishment and know that you've truly made a difference.
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