Hello! My name is Ms. Char-Li’, and I am a passionate and student-centered educator with nearly six years of experience teaching ELA and Social Studies to 4th–6th grade students in Chicago Public Schools. I hold a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in African American Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an M.A.T. in General Education (Grades 1–6) from National Louis University. I am also on track to earn my National Board Certification in Literacy in December 2025. My teaching journey began in high school, where I earned dual college credit by teaching in our pre-k program—a moment that solidified my love for education. Since then, I’ve worked in a variety of learning environments: as a resident teacher in a self-contained 2nd grade classroom, a City Year Student Success Coach with AmeriCorps, and now as a dedicated classroom teacher, currently in my second year at Robert A. Black Magnet Elementary School. I specialize in general education for grades 1–6, covering ELA, math, social science, and science. My teaching style is collaborative, student-centered, and rooted in amplifying students’ voices. I believe learning is most powerful when students feel seen, valued, and involved in shaping their educational journey. By learning about each student’s strengths, challenges, and interests, I tailor my instruction to meet their unique needs, whether through project-based learning, games, or creative, hands-on activities. Beyond the classroom, I’ve served as an after-school program coordinator and curriculum designer, working with the CPS Skyline Curriculum Collaborative Steering Committee. I’m also an active member of the Chicago Teachers Union, serving as a school delegate and participating in summer organizing efforts. Some of my proudest accomplishments include consistently achieving student growth in iReady reading scores and IAR assessments, increasing students’ vocabulary knowledge by an average of one grade level per school year, and helping students strengthen their executive functioning skills through targeted workshops and organizational tools. Outside of teaching, I enjoy cooking, baking, building LEGO sets, reading, solving puzzles, exploring graphic design and photography, and taking walks by the lake. I also collect vinyl records and VHS tapes (yes, I have a VHS player!), and played soccer for 15 years. My love for travel took me to Spain for six weeks during college, where I studied abroad and strengthened my Spanish skills. A quote that guides my work is: “Every child is gifted. They just unwrap their packages at different times.” I approach every student with the belief that they have limitless potential—and I’m committed to helping them discover and develop it. I look forward to working with students and families to create learning experiences that inspire confidence, curiosity, and a love for learning.