6th Grade English Language Arts Teacher

Name:  Evelyn Colon

Education:  BA from Trinity Christian College; Masters in Education w/Type 75 from Benedictine University

Born and raised: Chicago, IL

Position and Start Year at IAMS: 6th Grade English Language Arts Teacher at IAMS since Dec 2008

Why are you in education? I was a banker for the 1st 10 years of my working -life and most of the time I was teaching someone how to do something. So, I ended up volunteering at my daughter's school and realized that banking was not my profession.  I loved to teach so why not make a career out of it?  That was 15 years ago.

What are your hobbies and interests? Cooking and Baking

What was the last good book you read?   The Cay by Theodore Taylor

What are your guiding principles?  

• Loving God, myself, my family & friends, my job & students
• I believe that the only real failure in life is not trying
• I truly believe in taking care of myself, the health of my family & friends
• I believe in being affirmative and giving to others even when they are mean or cruel to me.
• I do not let what others think of me bother me, I know my self esteem comes from recognizing that I am genuine, loved by many individuals and I strive to do my best at all times.
• I honestly believe if I don't push myself beyond my comfort zone, I'm not really living.  Life is full of growth & struggles therefore I am happy knowing I have done my best to succeed in this life.
• I will always be a role-model

What are the traits you admire most in others?

• Honesty:  Someone who is always true to me;  
• Loving: Someone who will love me unconditionally;
• Serviceable: Someone who will always help me;
• Receiving: Someone who will always accept my help &
• Loyal:  Someone who will always be there for me & with me   

What profession, other than education, could you also see yourself doing?   Banking, but only if I have to.

Who has been the largest influence on your life? My Family 

What do you believe your main role is as teacher? As an educator, my main role is to inspire a student and be a life-long mentor 

Where did you learn Spanish/English? I learned Spanish through my parents and English at school.

What attracted you to a dual-language program? The fact that students learn in two languages and learn to respect each other's culture.

What do you think is the greatest benefit of being bilingual?  Benefit of being bilingual is that I am able to communicate in two languages and help others that do not understand a language.

What is the main challenge of teaching in a dual-language school? Not having enough intructional time.