For Stephanie Trueblood, making students feel like they belong has always been a priority. That’s one of the reasons she became a dual-language teacher and a bilingual literacy interventionist during her nine-year career in the Urbana School District.
Last school year, Trueblood made the move from Dr. Preston Williams Elementary School to Yankee Ridge Multilingual Elementary School when the district unified its dual-language program under one roof. She also coaches Urbana Middle School’s cross country teams.
I find my work important because ... I help them become a better version of themselves as a student and as an individual through language development and a love for reading.
I became a teacher because ... I want to provide students with a welcoming, open, and accepting space where every student feels included. With the experiences I had, I decided to be a leader in a classroom where all differences are appreciated and celebrated. I became a Spanish dual-language teacher because I wanted to continue using the Spanish language as it is part of my heritage and part of my identity.
My favorite or most unique lesson that I teach is ... within the unit, “How do we protect our rights and freedoms?” We have powerful discussions and learn about people who advocated for what we have now and those who continue to make their voice heard.
My most fulfilling moments on the job are when ... I go on a different adventure each day! I get to see their development as bilingual individuals and help them as they strengthen their abilities. I see past students in middle school and high school succeeding and doing what they love!
I keep students engaged by ... incorporating technology and games into learning.
Something else I’m passionate about is ... being a coach. I love coaching cross country! After teaching all day, I meet my runners at Urbana Middle School for practice to train for our 2-mile races. Being able to run and chat with them is a highlight of my day! Above all, I get to see their growth as runners as they drop their times at meets and get personal records. Their joy and energy is contagious and keeps me motivated!
My favorite teacher and subject to study in school was ... Mrs. Morrell and Mrs. Fox at Mt. Zion Junior High. Mrs. Morrell was so engaging with grammar and reading! Mrs. Fox was not only an amazing math teacher (I currently love teaching math to my students), but she also coached! She encouraged me to start cross country in ninth grade! I would not have joined if it wasn’t for her. She impacted me more than she will ever know.
If I weren’t a teacher, I would be ... a detective or a children’s author.
I spent my summer ... running with kids, training for a triathlon, reading novels, and spending time with my husband, Zach, and son, Ezra.
— ANTHONY ZILIS