Judy Wahl joined the Black Bear staff as the Academic Program Director in March of 2008.She attended Loras College, completing her student teaching in a second grade classroom Dubuque, IA and receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, May 1998.After college, she moved to Chicago and began working during the summer months with the Park District of Highland Park as the Director of summer camps, staying with them through the summer of 2004.At the Park District, she worked with a staff of 20, engaging the campers in outdoor activities, arts and crafts, field trips, and much more.That summer she also accepted a position with Northside Catholic Academy, St. Ita campus as a preschool teacher.During her first year with St. Ita, she worked alongside the preschool staff to become accredited with the National Association for the Education of the Young Child (NAECY).She then opened a second room for St. Ita in the second grade.In the second grade, she planned daily lessons strengthening the students’ reading and writing skills, engaging them in life science with snakes, turtles, and a tarantula in the classroom, and working with the Scott Foresman mathematics curriculum.After two years with St. Ita, Judy accepted a position with Roycemore College Preparatory in Evanston as the first grade teacher.She was the chairperson for the Early Childhood Group, conducting monthly meetings, leading curriculum mapping, and organizing special events such as the Scholastic Book Fair.She worked collaboratively with her peers to develop a character education program teaching the students about citizenship, responsibility, and respect, among many other excellent qualities in a good person.In her second year at Roycemore, her class was honored with the Roycemore Palio award for character development and good sportsmanship.Believing that each student is unique, Judy differentiated the curriculum in all subject areas to meet the needs of every student.After four years as the first grade teacher, Judy left Roycemore to become a stay at home mom to Niko.He has joined the Black Bear Program this summer and will be in the JK class for the 2008-2009 school year.
1801 West Byron · Chicago, IL 60613 · 773-244-0700
