​This week we spoke with Jeannette Aguilar, a beloved 7th grade math and 8th grade science teacher who began her career as a student teacher at Waters 5 years ago. Fun fact: The Wicker Park native still lives in the house she grew up in!
 
Waters Today: Where did you go to junior high? How did it compare to Waters?
Ms. Aguilar: I went to Burr School in Wicker Park for 7th & 8th grade. Compared to Waters, it was a really small school. We only had one homeroom for each grade level!
 
You obviously have a lot of experience with the junior high crowd. If you could give struggling parents of pre-teens one piece of advice, what would it be?
Try not to take that pre-teen attitude too personally. The students are going through a lot of changes in their lives (physical, emotional, and also environmental with COVID) while also trying to understand themselves. Sometimes the people they are most comfortable releasing their frustrations to are their parents! Overall, we have really great students at Waters.
 
What are your thoughts on social media? It's such a polarizing topic for this age group.
I’m all for students being able to express themselves, but social media is a very tricky way of doing so. Something that is shared on social media can have long lasting effects. It’s really important for parents to talk to their children about Digital Citizenship. As a teacher, there is only so much you can say to students since a lot of social media interactions happen outside of school. There are many great resources for this. Be Internet Awesome, a digital safety program from Google, is a really good one.
 
Super helpful—Thank you! If you could enroll in another Waters teacher’s class for a day, whose would you choose and why?
I would really like to be in one of the first grade classrooms because I didn’t have the greatest experience in 1st grade. I love how Ms. Beza, Ms. Johnson, and Ms. Heilbrun have their rooms decorated!
 
And if you could have dinner with 3 people, dead or alive, who would they be?
Obama, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and my late grandfather. Obama and Ruth Bader Ginsburg have been such influential people, and it would be great to have a conversation with them. My grandfather was my number one cheerleader growing up—he always motivated me to pursue my dreams and supported the person I was. He didn’t get to see me become a teacher and, I would just like to have the opportunity to let him know that I did it!
 
He would be so proud. What’s something your students would be surprised to know about you?
I did Tae Kwon Do from 7th grade into high school and really enjoyed it. Sparring matches were my favorite– I won various first place trophies and medals. I only stopped at my brown belt because I began to focus on cheerleading and became the captain. Once I finish Grad School, I plan to go back to practice Tae Kwon Do and hopefully get my black belt. 
 
Talk about Girl Power!? Do you have any other hobbies?
While we were social distancing, I got into being a plant mom.
  
What about a favorite book? Movie?
I really enjoy the Harry Potter books and movies, but I thought the books were way better than the movies. 
 
We did, too. Isn’t it always like that? If you could go anywhere in the world for an all-expenses paid vacation, where would you go?
I would love to have the opportunity to go see the Egyptian Pyramids! Architecture is something that really interests me, and I love learning about history.
 
Let's end on a sappy note: What do you love most  about teaching?
I enjoy being able to show students that it is okay to make mistakes and there is always something we can learn from them. It’s really rewarding to see students gaining confidence in their abilities throughout the year. The “aha moment” is really fun to see when they are working towards a solution.
 

Love that. Thank you Ms. Aguilar!

This week we chatted with Rielly Wall, a second grade teacher who’s built his reputation on not one but two things: a super engaging teaching style, and sweet skateboard skills. He’s been in CPS for 5 years, 4 of them at Waters. 
 
Waters Today: We’ll start with a two-in-one: What's the best thing about teaching, and what’s the most challenging?
Mr. Wall: The best thing about teaching is being able to work with young kids. Kids help keep my job fun and interesting each day. A challenge about teaching is patience; you have to be very patient and accept that all students work at their own pace. 
 
If you weren't a teacher, what would you be?
For a long time I wanted to be a professional skateboarder! If I didn't teach I think I would still work in a field with children, either education policy or a nonprofit that supports children and families. 
 
Where did you grow up? How did your elementary school experience compare to that of our Waters kiddos? (Pandemic aside, of course.)
I grew up in Northern VA, about 20 miles west of Washington, D.C. I grew up in a great community with an awesome education system. I think my school experience was similar to Waters because I had great teachers and a very supportive community, with lots of kids my age and things to do. 
 
What's something your students would be surprised to know about you?
I think my students would be surprised to know that I was a state championship qualifying hurdler in high school and I used to have hair grown out to my shoulders. 

You and Mr. Raman! Let’s go deep: Is there anything you're really super afraid of?
Yes—I am pretty scared to fly in small planes, but I actually flew in a 4 person plane recently! 
 
So if NASA called and asked if you'd be the teacher-in-space on the next mission to Mars, would you do it?  
Definitely not! A mission to Mars is a one way trip. It would be super cool to go into space. I would enjoy just a little floating around and then back down to Mother Earth. 

Now for the question every second grader wants to know: Into which Hogwarts house would you be sorted?
I pretended that I was a member of Gryffindor when I was younger, so definitely that. 
 
Besides Hogwarts, what's your happy place? 
A little peninsula in southern Maryland called Camp St. Charles. I went to camp there every year from age 8-18. I worked there as a counselor, and as an adult I worked there as the assistant camp director. It’s very special to me. 
 
When your students look back on 2020, what do you hope they'll remember about you and your class?
I hope that they remember that they can be successful in any situation, even in a year as wild as 2020! 
 
Wild, indeed. Thanks, Mr. Wall!
​

Next up: Evelyn Katsoulos! Known for her warm, gentle demeanor and melodic speaking voice (if you’ve met her, you know what we’re talking about!), this longtime third-grade teacher has been teaching for 26 years, all of them at Waters. 


1. Waters Today: Wow—26 years is a long time! What do you love most about teaching at Waters? 
Ms. Katsoulos: Waters is my second home. We all support one another and work towards our goals together, just like a family.

2.    And what do you enjoy most about teaching this age group? 
The best thing about teaching third graders is that they love to listen to stories being read aloud and can have good discussions about them.

3.    Where did you grow up? Do you remember your third grade teacher? I grew up in Chicago, just like the kids at Waters.  I had many teachers growing up who are very memorable, but the teacher I remember the most is my second grade teacher.  I remember my classroom filled with large windows which let in a lot of light.  On some days the room seemed to glow, and so did my teacher.  She was warm and welcoming just like that light.  I remember always being happy to be there in her classroom.  She inspires me as a teacher.

4.    What a beautiful memory. If you weren't a teacher, what do you think would you be doing? I’m not sure what I would be if I weren’t a teacher!  I always wanted to be a teacher. If you had asked me in third grade what I wanted to be when I grew up, I’m sure I would have answered, a teacher. But if I had to choose another profession, I’d say a writer.  I enjoy the process of writing, and have always loved words. Writing combines two things I love: creativity and language.

5.    If you could enroll in another Waters teacher’s class for a day, whose would you choose and why?  I would choose Mrs. Johnson’s class.  I’ve had the opportunity to be in her classroom during a read-aloud.  She is so animated when she reads a story and really brings the book to life.  When she reads a story, it’s as if you're there and you're part of it.

6.    [Editor’s note: Ms. Johnson, Teacher Feature is coming for you!] What’s something your students would be surprised to know about you?
I can be on the quiet side, so my students may be surprised to know how much I love to dance.  I was in a dance group for many years.

7.    There are some dancers in your class who will be very excited about this! If you have a day off from teaching, what is your favorite way to spend it?
I enjoy simply relaxing, taking a leisurely nature walk, and having a nice meal and a freshly brewed cup of coffee. 
 
8.    Let’s end with a fun one: If you could take your students on a field trip anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? I would take them somewhere I want to go to as well, to Australia, to see the Great Barrier Reef. It would be amazing to visit one of the natural wonders of the world!
 

We’re coming with you! Thank you Ms. Katsoulos!

Wednesday, October 14, 7:30 p.m.

Please join the WatersToday Board for an open meeting to discuss the Waters Ecology program and plans for fundraising during the 2020-2021 school year.  The meeting will be held via Zoom with password Waters.