Hi, I’m Stephanie! I am a currently a STEM teacher at Big Hollow Middle School in Ingelside, Illinois. I have my Masters Degree in Teaching, with endorsements in Middle School Math and Social Studies.
High School
I was born and raised in Schaumburg, Illinois. I graduated from James. B Conant High School in Hoffman Estates, IL; it was there were I was inspired to become a teacher. During my sophomore year, I was enrolled in Algebra II, a math class typically for junior-year students. I love math and always have, but even with a strong drive to succeed, I struggled. Mr. Kurfess, my math teacher, helped me and pushed me to be the student I wanted to be. He would ensure that I understood a concept that I was struggling by altering his teaching strategy until I got it. I successfully got through my sophomore year, but Mr. Kurfess did not stop teaching me then. Through my next two years, he was there to provide support even if I wasn’t in one of his classes. He is a true teacher who holds all of his students to the same standard: Once his student, always his student.
He made math less intimidating and enjoyable. When we were learning matrices, the first concept is rows over columns, or RC, so he brought in RC soda to help us remember. When we were learning parabolas, he took us out to his car to show us how math was actually used in the creation of a car’s headlight. This is the teacher I want to be, making learning real and applicable.
College
After high school, I attended William R. Harper College in Palatine, where I received an Associated of Arts in Psychology. I transferred to Loyola University Chicago where I obtained my Bachelors of Science in Psychology.
National Louis University
When I decided to go to National Louis, I knew what a wonderful reputation they had in the education field; I must say that I see why. I have had some amazing professors who have brought the elementary classroom into our class each night. I have built units, been apart of a book club, participated in literature circles, experienced readers theater, done time period walk through, gone on field trips, my list could be endless. In addition to my wonderful professors, I was able to be in the pilot iPad cohort. As a cohort, we worked with our teachers at becoming experts in incorporating the iPad in the everyday classroom. Having that technology allows students to go beyond textbooks and dive deeper into the curriculum. It truly enhances their education.
Volunteer Experience
I have always loved working with children and have a lot of volunteer experience doing so. From 2005-2012 I was the Associate Director of a Bible Camp at St. Matthew’s Parish in Schaumburg, IL. During those seven years, I got to see some amazing things. Many people have taken some sort of religious education class and can tell you it is usually pretty dry, but this camp wasn’t. It incorporated singing, dancing, art, games, drama, and even puppets into education. This is what proved to me that teaching should not always be straight out of a textbook from behind a desk, but should be interactive, exciting, and relevant. I am continuing to apply this same concept in a Religious Education class I co-teach in once a week. Students should not only read from books but should also have a chance to get their hands on that information and make it their own.
Neal Math and Science Academy
I could not have been more excited to accept a 6th grade mathematics position at Neal Math and Science in 2014. For two years I worked at the PLC Lead for the math teach and grew in both my understanding of my practice and my craft. At the start of my second year I became the Department Head for the entire Math Department where worked with administration on building wide initiatives and lead professional development! I also was apart of many committees and teams including Standards Based Grading, PBIS, Building Leadership Team, and the Technology Committee. With the Technology Committee I got to take students to a student lead conference on technology and how students were using it to create things to benefit their schools and their own lives!
The Here and Now: Big Hollow
I have just started a new chapter in my educational journey as a STEM teacher at Big Hollow Middle School. I am beyond excited to spread my wings and learn a new way of teaching and applying skills students are learning in other content areas! I believe that children are our future, and I want to do everything in my power to allow them to flourish and grow into wonderful people. Becoming a teacher is more than just teaching someone to read, write and calculate numbers; it is inspiring them to change the world for the better.
Personal Life
This past October I got married to my High School sweetheart after 10 years together. Mr. Cullotta is a Business Analyst at a Fortune 100 company and a Chicago Bears fanatic! We enjoy working out, traveling, and going out to eat! I have a younger sister who inspires me to be more creative! She is a Meeting Planner for a Professional Association and scrapbook guru. And finally my parents who are the best role models any child could ask for. Both first in their families to get college degrees and move away from home, they always encouraged me to dream big and reach higher! After more than 30 years together they still find new ways to grow together and live life to the fullest!
High School
I was born and raised in Schaumburg, Illinois. I graduated from James. B Conant High School in Hoffman Estates, IL; it was there were I was inspired to become a teacher. During my sophomore year, I was enrolled in Algebra II, a math class typically for junior-year students. I love math and always have, but even with a strong drive to succeed, I struggled. Mr. Kurfess, my math teacher, helped me and pushed me to be the student I wanted to be. He would ensure that I understood a concept that I was struggling by altering his teaching strategy until I got it. I successfully got through my sophomore year, but Mr. Kurfess did not stop teaching me then. Through my next two years, he was there to provide support even if I wasn’t in one of his classes. He is a true teacher who holds all of his students to the same standard: Once his student, always his student.
He made math less intimidating and enjoyable. When we were learning matrices, the first concept is rows over columns, or RC, so he brought in RC soda to help us remember. When we were learning parabolas, he took us out to his car to show us how math was actually used in the creation of a car’s headlight. This is the teacher I want to be, making learning real and applicable.
College
After high school, I attended William R. Harper College in Palatine, where I received an Associated of Arts in Psychology. I transferred to Loyola University Chicago where I obtained my Bachelors of Science in Psychology.
National Louis University
When I decided to go to National Louis, I knew what a wonderful reputation they had in the education field; I must say that I see why. I have had some amazing professors who have brought the elementary classroom into our class each night. I have built units, been apart of a book club, participated in literature circles, experienced readers theater, done time period walk through, gone on field trips, my list could be endless. In addition to my wonderful professors, I was able to be in the pilot iPad cohort. As a cohort, we worked with our teachers at becoming experts in incorporating the iPad in the everyday classroom. Having that technology allows students to go beyond textbooks and dive deeper into the curriculum. It truly enhances their education.
Volunteer Experience
I have always loved working with children and have a lot of volunteer experience doing so. From 2005-2012 I was the Associate Director of a Bible Camp at St. Matthew’s Parish in Schaumburg, IL. During those seven years, I got to see some amazing things. Many people have taken some sort of religious education class and can tell you it is usually pretty dry, but this camp wasn’t. It incorporated singing, dancing, art, games, drama, and even puppets into education. This is what proved to me that teaching should not always be straight out of a textbook from behind a desk, but should be interactive, exciting, and relevant. I am continuing to apply this same concept in a Religious Education class I co-teach in once a week. Students should not only read from books but should also have a chance to get their hands on that information and make it their own.
Neal Math and Science Academy
I could not have been more excited to accept a 6th grade mathematics position at Neal Math and Science in 2014. For two years I worked at the PLC Lead for the math teach and grew in both my understanding of my practice and my craft. At the start of my second year I became the Department Head for the entire Math Department where worked with administration on building wide initiatives and lead professional development! I also was apart of many committees and teams including Standards Based Grading, PBIS, Building Leadership Team, and the Technology Committee. With the Technology Committee I got to take students to a student lead conference on technology and how students were using it to create things to benefit their schools and their own lives!
The Here and Now: Big Hollow
I have just started a new chapter in my educational journey as a STEM teacher at Big Hollow Middle School. I am beyond excited to spread my wings and learn a new way of teaching and applying skills students are learning in other content areas! I believe that children are our future, and I want to do everything in my power to allow them to flourish and grow into wonderful people. Becoming a teacher is more than just teaching someone to read, write and calculate numbers; it is inspiring them to change the world for the better.
Personal Life
This past October I got married to my High School sweetheart after 10 years together. Mr. Cullotta is a Business Analyst at a Fortune 100 company and a Chicago Bears fanatic! We enjoy working out, traveling, and going out to eat! I have a younger sister who inspires me to be more creative! She is a Meeting Planner for a Professional Association and scrapbook guru. And finally my parents who are the best role models any child could ask for. Both first in their families to get college degrees and move away from home, they always encouraged me to dream big and reach higher! After more than 30 years together they still find new ways to grow together and live life to the fullest!