Jennifer Trannon’s path to becoming a teacher didn’t start in the classroom.
“I was in church with my college boyfriend, watching the kids in front of us playing in the pew,” Trannon said. “I leaned over and told him, I think I am supposed to be a teacher. That was Sunday and on Monday morning I changed my major.”
She went from pre-law to education and has been a teacher since graduating in 1993.
“It is kind of a hokey story but it is true,” Trannon said.
We sat down with her to learn more.
What and where do you teach? I teach seventh-grade language arts at Washington Junior High School in Naperville. I also coach the cross country team.
How long have you been teaching? Since 1993, at Washington since 2010.
What degrees do you have? Bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University and a master’s degree from Judson University in Elgin.
What is the best thing about being a teacher? It’s the kids. There are so many things I love about the kids.
Does being a mom help you be a better teacher? I think it helped me be a different teacher but I don’t know that made me a better teacher. I think it helped me to consider the whole child and understand that there is so much more going on outside of (my) language arts class.
How have you seen kids change over the years? There is so much talk about how everything has changed so much and I don’t really think it has. Kids are texting now and are on social media and we used to pass notes. It’s the same thing (but a different) mode of communication. I think our perspective (of them) has changed because as we get older we look at things differently.
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What would you want to do if you weren’t a teacher? I would want to write. I have had some articles published and I would love to write children’s books.
Do you have a favorite sport? I love wrestling, which was big at DeKalb High School (where I went to school). Both of my boys wrestle.
Advice for a new teacher? Remember everything from the student’s perspective and remember how hard it is to be a kid. Try to imagine being in the classroom and having to sit still all day. It’s a lot of sitting and a lot of listening. Try to have compassion and remember that we are all doing the best we can.
Do you have a teacher who inspired you? Mrs. Collins was my fifth-grade teacher (at Laidlaw Elementary School in Western Springs). She read aloud to us a ton. I read aloud to my students all the time and I know it is because I remember how it felt to be read aloud to when I was a 10. Also, in high school Joe LoCascio (from DeKalb High School) created a class that was like an honors literature class. That really stood out to me.
What do you like to do in your spare time? Read and run.
What are you reading now? I am reading all of the Rebecca Caudill (Young Reader’s Book Award list) books. There are 20 of them.
Jane Donahue is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.