Kimberly Mladinic

Background

About Kimberly Mladinic

In 2010, I completed a Teach Abroad semester in South Korea. This led me to embark on an adventure of teaching abroad for the next 3 years. First, I taught in a middle school, developing an English curriculum and even creating my own after-school English Club for students to engage in conversational English. Then in 2011 I went back to Korea and landed a job at Kongju University- a widely-known English University in South Korea. During the day, I taught 3 English Classes at all differing Elementary grades (K-12), while at night I taught college-level English to the University students. During those years, I created an assessment test for students to gauge their English for placement and ability in our program. I also did extra-curricular activities for students to practice conversational English in social settings. In 2014, I moved back to the United States and landed a job at CICS Longwood in Chicago, IL. I taught Art education. I had a limited budget for Art supplies in an already unequipped art room. My love of travel and teaching in foreign places has always taught me to prepare. While at Longwood, I raised $500 extra from campaigning through parents and from Donorschoose.org. In the 2014-2015 school year, I landed a great temporary job at Hilda Walker Elementary in the suburb of Frankfort. The previous Art teacher was on maternity-leave for the year. Working at Hilda Walker allowed me to continue a great Art curriculum and develop my own lesson plans. This current school year has been an educational and professional experience. I went back to school and received Chicago Women’s in Trade Carpenter’s certification. I substitute throughout all of Chicago’s Public Schools. In substituting, I have experienced every demographic imaginable, but nothing compares to the thrill of traveling and teaching abroad.