Mike Field has worn many hats in his career in education including football coach, special education assistant, social studies teacher and educational technologist. He just became assistant principal at Deer Path Middle School – West in Lake Forest. He carved out some time on Aug. 24, the first day of classes, to talk to the Lake Forester.
Q. How is the first day of classes going?
A. It’s going well. I’m learning the processes, plans and procedures.
Q. Your first job out of college was as an intern football coach?
A. I loved football. I played for two years at DePaul. I recognized while coaching, however, that being in the classroom was definitely something I wanted to do and wrapped up my education degree.
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Q. You next worked as an instructional assistant at Glenbrook South High School?
A. I got my teaching certificate in Fall 2004. I applied for social studies jobs but wasn’t able to land one. I was a one-on-one aide with two students; one with Asperger’s and one with cerebral palsy.
Q. Then you landed that social studies position over at IC Catholic Prep in Elmhurst?
A. The first three years I was a teacher and coach. The last four years I was social studies department chair. I was working on my master’s at the time.
Q. Then you switched to Loyola Academy in 2012 where you became an educational technologist?
A. Loyola was about to start their program for iPads (distributing iPads to all students). My first year I taught, coached football and became part of the iPad program. My second years I became an educational technologist.
Q. What does an educational technologist do?
A. Teach and work with teachers on how to instruct using technology.
Q. In 2015 you became director of educational technology for Glenbrook District 225, but only stuck around for a year?
A. One of the things I missed was being in a building constantly and connecting to teachers and students on a regular basis. It was a passion of mine that was hard to replicate as a district administrator.
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