Julia Kolt
jgkolt@cps.edu

4th Grade, Gifted

Central Elementary School
New Trier High School
Furman University, B.S. Biology
Loyola University Chicago, M.Ed. Elementary Education

I am thrilled to be a new member of Bateman Elementary School's family! After graduating from college in South Carolina, I had multiple internships at zoos around the United States, helping to take care of elephants, rhinoceros, bears, small mammals, and birds of prey. While I loved interacting with animals each day, I missed spending time with people! I moved back to Chicago and began working with non-profits, assisting in their operations and educational programming. On the weekends, I volunteered as Public Programs Interpreter at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and participated in their Naturalist training program. 

In early 2017, I chose to return to school to earn my Masters of Education and launched my career as a professional educator. I completed my student teaching at Pulaski International School of Chicago in a gifted, bilingual 5th grade classroom. I love to teach lessons that allow students to explore and follow their curiosities in a safe and supportive learning environment. 

My philosophy of teaching revolves around teaching to the student as a human being with strengths and flaws, not just as a learner of math or literacy. When I approach a lesson, I try to think of all of the different "tools", or strategies, that students can use in their "toolbox" to help them be successful. I believe that all students are capable of growth and success, if they know which "tool" in their "toolbox" to use. For each lesson, I develop multiple approaches for students to master the learning objective either through writing, discussions, drawing, or even movement. Every student has their own strengths and each student will learn differently. I also believe that students learn best when they are having fun and can take ownership of their goals and achievements. I encourage my students to think of their mistakes not as failures, but as opportunities to learn and grow. 

Outside of school, I enjoy being a member of a book club called the Science Ladies Book Club and I like to craft with paper. I also enjoy attending Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago's Union Park each summer and camping in Peninsula State Park in Door County, WI. I live with my husband in Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood, where we often play Mario Kart and cook meals together.

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