My Space Here.

Hi Everyone & Welcome to My Space Here!

My Name is Jillian and I am entering into my last semester of grad school classes before student teaching. I am not to sure how professionally personal to get here about who I am and my plans but I'll share some things with my fellow readers. It is seriously crazy to think that I blinked and I'm here, time has seriously flown since I started my classes last summer. 

Let me tell you a little bit about me! I earned my bachelors degree from the University of St. Francis, Joliet, what a beautiful campus. I earned my degree in Therapeutic Recreation where I interned at Misericordia Home in Rodgers Park and worked for a couple of years before transitioning into CPS. When I worked at Mis, I was a recreational specialist who worked with over 500 residents in very different capacities. For some I worked with them in reaching goals for either ADL (activities for daily living), personal goals they had for themselves such as creating something on their own for family or even walking to the front door independently. I also helped some residents work on social components and leisure activities which ranged from art, dance, and sports. I also had the opportunity to check off a personal box on my bucket list, coaching for the Special Olympics! 
 
This was probably one of the greatest highlights for me especially as it happened to have been the Special Olympics 50th Anniversary that year. Such a rewarding experience and one I will truly never forget.

Currently I am a seca and I work with one student who has some behavior challenges. I have been lucky enough to have been able to transition with him from preschool, to kindergarten, to now first grade! I love advocating for him and feel so grateful to have been able to not only witness his growth and changes but to have been able to contribute to them as well.

Let's talk why I transitioned out of my dream job and began seeking a degree in Special Education.

It's super easy, I wanted more growth and I wanted to continue to learn.

 I felt like I had reached the highest capacity of growing where I was at and wanted to explore more ways to help children as I was only working with adults before. So fast forward and here I am, in my second and a half year with CPS and I love it! 

Here are some fun facts about who I am:

-I love to read (Mysteries and Thrillers are my fav!)

-I'm obsessed with my 2 dogs, Bronxx (Mini Poodle)& Mila (Havanese)

-When I graduate, I plan to gift my parents my degree (as they have literally no idea I am in school pursuing another degree) as a Thank You for their constant support and for giving me endless opportunities and pushes in all the right directions throughout my life.

Comments

  1. Ms. TsitsopoulosAugust 31, 2021 at 6:24 PM

    Jillian -- what a wonderful journey you've been on over the past several years. I graduated from Loyola University and lived in Rogers Park for about 10 years while working for CPS. I think it's great that before you become a special education teacher you were a SECA-- they are such an invaluable part of our school community, but they often go unrecognized and unappreciated.

    Your puppies are super cute! Have you considered an Instagram account for them? I started one for my cat, Zoey (@ZoeysPurrfectLife) because she was too cute not to share with the world! Enjoy your sweet fur babies and keep up the good work with your courses, I know your parents will be thrilled!

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  2. Andy DunningSeptember 1, 2021 at 6:14 AM

    Jillian:
    It's funny that we've taken so many classes together but don't really know each other. I suspect that's because we're in a remote environment. For all the good technology does for students, recreating the communal experience while remote is very difficult. Maybe we'll discover the answers here!
    I am excited to learn that you worked at Misericordia. My family is very supportive of this wonderful organization. My mom had a sister who suffered extensive brain damage as the result of meningitis when she was a baby. For most of her youth, she lived in a state run institution. However, as an adult she received vocational services from Misericordia to promote independence. Later, she found group housing with another great institution, Little Friends. She shared a house with three other ladies and found a job in a works services program. I was surprised (and delighted) to learn that Misericordia offered such extensive services for their residents.
    It sounds like you have found a great position with CPS. I hope this class helps you widen the resources you have for teaching the kids. Good luck!

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  3. Rhiannon BroschatSeptember 1, 2021 at 9:59 AM

    Jillian-
    I love your blog! We have so much in common because I am also a SECA and I have two dogs that I adore! I also got my bachelor's in something that was not education so I found myself in the same boat as you in wanting to grow and experience how it is to work with kids.
    You really come through in this post and it shows!

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  4. Emma LewisSeptember 1, 2021 at 3:32 PM

    Hi Jillian! It's so cool that you coached for the Special Olympics! Ever since high school, I have been a part of the Best Buddies organization and love it. It's so rewarding! I would love to hear more about your coaching experience and work with students with disabilities. Congratulations on pursuing another degree! Also you dogs are so cute! I look forward to working with you this year in class!

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  5. KelpSeptember 3, 2021 at 11:24 AM

    Hey Jillian!

    I knew from previous classes that you work as a SECA but I had no idea you previously worked for Misericordia! How awesome! As someone who works in a life skills program in a high school I am always curious how to best transition our students from student life to adult life. This year, we are working with freshman and are spending time trying to figure out how to best teach “leisure” meaning, more things to do with your free time rather than just sit on an iPad and watch YouTube. I’d love to hear more about your experiences with recreational activities and coaching Special Olympics. Great post! Always cool to learn a little bit more about a virtual classmate!

    - Kelsey W.

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  6. NMZumpanoSeptember 5, 2021 at 9:39 AM

    What a lovely story about gifting your parents your degree. As a mom, I approve :). Thanks for sharing your journey with us and for wanting to continue to grow as an educator and support students (and adults) that need compassion and patience. Looking forward to helping you on your learning journey.

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