NAME:
Mrs. Eileen Hogan Heineman
SCHOOL:
St. Josaphat
CLASS:
6th Grade Homeroom, Grades 6-8 Social Studies, Gr. 6 Religion and Reading
SCHOOL PHONE:
773-549-0909 or eheineman@stjosaphat.net
So, how can I help you get to know me? I am a person who loves to teach, and
was happy to return to the classroom a few years ago, after 17 years as a
principal! I probably started wanting to be a teacher when I was a little
girl, playing school with my sisters or my friends. I grew up as one of eight
kids in an Irish Catholic neighborhood on the south side, and lived on the
north side (Rogers Park and Logan Square) from 1971-91 and in Skokie since
then. I love the incredible mix of people who live in Skokie, and enjoy
learning about other cultures.
My husband and I have two children and a daughter-in-law whose parents were
born in the Philippines, and all of them have also helped me learn quite a bit
about the world. We visited my son in rural Mexico when he taught there for a
semester and our daughter in Uganda, Africa when she was there two years ago,
and went this summer to Malawi, where she is spending two years volunteering.
Spending time in a place where life is so different than here reminds how
little we actually realize about how much of the world lives. Helping
understand life from others' viewpoints and seeing how we're all connected are
big parts of Social Studies.
I love learning, and look forward every year to what I will learn from my
students and colleagues. Reading is a favorite way for me to spend time, and I
enjoy puttering in the garden, playing cards and Mah Jongg, doing lots of
things with friends and family. My mom is still alive (age 87!), and I have
three siblings in Chicago, and three siblings out of state. My husband and I
are very active in our parish, St. Nicholas in Evanston.
Students in my Social Studies classes will be encouraged to get "mental
maps" in their brains and learn about the world. We will again participate in
the National Geographic Bee. With the International Fair this year, we'll
really enjoy studying Egypt & East Africa (6th), Japan (7th) and Spain (8th).
I can guarantee there will never be enough time for all the things we want to
discuss or learn!
Helping students become responsible, engaged students is an important goal
of mine. I will not be the only "expert" in the room, and encourage students
(and parents) to share experiences or information that will enhance our
understanding of the topics we're covering. I have high expectations of the
students, and will do whatever I can to help students meet and exceed those
expectations. I ALWAYS want students to feel comfortable asking questions,
and am eager to make sure everyone knows what they need in order to complete
daily assignments and projects. Please ask!
I'm looking forward to a wonderful year in the Junior High.
Room 406 is a place where EVERYONE is expected and encouraged to:
* try new things
* learn about the world and its people
* understand our inter-connectedness
* notice God present among us and in the world outside our doors
