Becoming a high school teacher was a logical choice for Robyn West.
“I always knew I wanted to work with youth and to help people,” West said. “Teaching is the practical way I can do that that every day.”
After West earned her master’s degree, she returned to her alma mater – Thornwood High School in South Holland – to begin her teaching career. After a year working in California, she was hired as an English teacher at Metea Valley High School in 2012.
“I enjoy being here because of the support I receive,” West said. “Our goal at Metea is to work together and what is really neat is the collaboration with other teachers. Iron sharpens iron; we share ideas and we plan together, which really helps us grow.”
As an English teacher, West is always reading something. But at home, the mother of three small children is most likely flipping the pages of a “Thomas the Tank” book.
We sat down with West to learn more.
How long have you been teaching? Six years, four at Metea Valley.
What degrees do you have? Bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Wheaton College.
What was your favorite subject in school? English
What was your least favorite subject? Math
Favorite book? I don’t have a specific favorite right now but “The Giver” by Lois Lowry is one of my favorite past books. “Talent for Humanity” by Patrick Gaffney is one book that I am enjoying right now.
What advice would you give a new teacher? Have grace and know that it is OK to make some mistakes. As long as you give your best and look out for the students’ best interests, they will learn and they will grow.
What do you like to do on your day off? Reading, ideally, but I don’t have a lot of time to do that with my three little ones (ages 4, 3 and 1). I enjoy taking my daughter to gymnastics and I try to do fun creative things with our kids when we are off.
Did you have a favorite teacher: In second grade I had Mrs. Santana (at what used to be called Homewood Christian Academy). She was my favorite because she would give us M&Ms when we were on task. She had so many interactive games and a lot of movement and a lot of fun, and I just felt safe in her classroom.
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What was the funniest excuse a student has ever given you for not finishing homework? I had a student who actually said his dog ate his homework and then brought in a piece of paper with a bite out of it.
If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be? I would be working for a nonprofit organization that serves youth.
What is good advice you received? Only you can be you, so be the best you that you can be. You are awesome in your own right and you are valuable. That is what I hope to convey to my students all the time.
Biggest challenge of being a teacher: Not carrying all the students’ struggles with me, and learning how to support them and take care of them in the role that I am in.
Jane Donahue is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
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