Honoring a Veteran Educator & Legacy Thornwood Resident
Meet Rebecca Reber
Q: Thank you, Rebecca for taking the time to today. How long have you lived in Thornwood?
A: I have lived in Thornwood for 21 years, since 2003.
A: I have lived in Thornwood for 21 years, since 2003.
Q: What school and location are you associated with as an educator, or if retired, what is your educational background?
A: I taught for 35 years in St. Charles, beginning at St. Charles High School and later at St. Charles North.
A: I taught for 35 years in St. Charles, beginning at St. Charles High School and later at St. Charles North.
Q: What was your position, and what grade or area of study did you teach?
A: I taught History, Psychology, and Current Events to students in grades 9-12 throughout my career. I also taught two years of German I, just for fun!
A: I taught History, Psychology, and Current Events to students in grades 9-12 throughout my career. I also taught two years of German I, just for fun!
Q: Where did you attend undergraduate and graduate school?
A: For my undergraduate degree, I attended Valparaiso University, where I earned a BA in History. I completed my graduate studies at Northern Illinois University, obtaining an MS.Ed in History.
A: For my undergraduate degree, I attended Valparaiso University, where I earned a BA in History. I completed my graduate studies at Northern Illinois University, obtaining an MS.Ed in History.
Q: Why did you choose teaching as a career?
A: I’ve always had a passion for History, ever since I was a child and received my first set of World Book encyclopedias. Initially, I wanted to be an archaeologist, but my parents suggested I get a backup degree in Education ‘just in case.’ It turned out to be a great idea!
A: I’ve always had a passion for History, ever since I was a child and received my first set of World Book encyclopedias. Initially, I wanted to be an archaeologist, but my parents suggested I get a backup degree in Education ‘just in case.’ It turned out to be a great idea!
Q: What inspired you to pursue teaching?
A: I wasn’t sure if teaching was the right path for me until I did my practice teaching in three different locations as an undergraduate—the Porter County jail with juvenile offenders, a junior high full of upper middle-class kids, and a high school in an economically and racially mixed city. These experiences made me fall in love with connecting with and helping all kinds of kids grow.
A: I wasn’t sure if teaching was the right path for me until I did my practice teaching in three different locations as an undergraduate—the Porter County jail with juvenile offenders, a junior high full of upper middle-class kids, and a high school in an economically and racially mixed city. These experiences made me fall in love with connecting with and helping all kinds of kids grow.
Q: Which teachers or schools have had the most impact on you?
A: My high school Western Civ teacher, Mrs. Amstadter, at Rich South High School, had a significant influence on me, followed by Professors Startt and Neidner at Valparaiso University. All three emphasized the importance of questioning students and encouraging them to defend their interpretations with evidence rather than just lecturing at them.
A: My high school Western Civ teacher, Mrs. Amstadter, at Rich South High School, had a significant influence on me, followed by Professors Startt and Neidner at Valparaiso University. All three emphasized the importance of questioning students and encouraging them to defend their interpretations with evidence rather than just lecturing at them.
Q: What factors best prepared you for a career in teaching?
A: The ability to laugh at myself, be reflective, and admit when I didn’t know something.
A: The ability to laugh at myself, be reflective, and admit when I didn’t know something.
Q: What advice would you offer to young teachers, based on your experience?
A: Focus on what truly matters—your students. Everything else is just noise.
A: Focus on what truly matters—your students. Everything else is just noise.
Q: What are your thoughts on teaching as a profession?
A: Teaching is one of the most rewarding ways to earn a living. There were very few days when I felt like I was going to ‘work.’ Trust your child’s teachers and assume the best. Teachers don’t teach for the money! We love our students, enjoy finding ways to help them reach their potential, and cherish watching them succeed.
A: Teaching is one of the most rewarding ways to earn a living. There were very few days when I felt like I was going to ‘work.’ Trust your child’s teachers and assume the best. Teachers don’t teach for the money! We love our students, enjoy finding ways to help them reach their potential, and cherish watching them succeed.
Q: If you were teaching on a deserted island, what three indispensable items would you bring?
A: I’d bring my sense of humor, a book of primary sources, and, of course, snacks.
A: I’d bring my sense of humor, a book of primary sources, and, of course, snacks.
Rebecca, your insights are so helpful and inspiring to young teachers. Thank you for sharing with us today.
We extend our gratitude to Responsive Roofing, a family-owned business, for their generous sponsorship of our Teacher Spotlight feature. With a 25-year legacy in the field of education, this partnership exemplifies their commitment to supporting our educators and celebrating their invaluable contributions.