James Phelps

8th Grade

Welcome to Room #314. This year, I will teach social studies to all four  sections of 8th graders in addition to one hour of intervention in reading, math, and grammar. I collaborate with the Bateman counselor, Ms. Sandra Rivera, to assist students with the high school application process. I also lead the annual 8th grade trip to Washington, D.C. The best way for parents or students to reach me is via email. My email address is jsphelps@cps.edu. I invite former students to keep in touch via email as well.

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Personal and Educational Background  

I grew up in the Chicago area before attending high school and college in New England. I graduated from college with a Bachelor of Arts degree. My major was history. I worked for a real estate company for ten years before becoming a teacher. I have a Master's Degree (M.Ed.) in Curriculum and Instruction from National-Louis University. I have taught at Bateman since 1991. During this time, I have taught students in the first, second, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. I have taught in Rooms #400, 206, 106, 305, 309, 310, 208, and 314! I even served as the school disciplinarian for half of a year. Since 2004, I have been a chaperone on many of the trips to Springfield, New York City, and Washington, D.C. Some of my current students are children of my former students. I look forward to a productive year with the class of 2020! 

Besides grading papers from Bateman students, I bicycle (sometimes with Mr. Lopez) and ski for exercise. I have ridden over 100 miles in a day many times, and I'm actually really good at skiing.  In my free time, I volunteer at a food pantry in the Bateman neighborhood, do crossword puzzles, and ride the Raging Bull at Six Flags, Great America (the line for Goliath is too long). Yes, I have seen all of the Marvel and superhero movies. If you're a student and you really must know my age, the answer is: "older than you!"   

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