James Phelps

8th Grade

Welcome to Room #314. This year, I will teach social studies to three sections of 8th graders, and I will teach writing to my homeroom students. During the social studies time period on Wednesdays, I will assist students with high school application information and advisory. 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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Classroom Info 

I graduated from college with a Bachelor of Arts degree. My major was history. I spent ten years working for a real estate company before becoming a teacher. I have a Master's Degree (M.Ed.) in Curriculum and Instruction. I am currently working with Loyola University in Chicago to teach other teachers how to use primary sources. I have been teaching at Bateman School since 1991. During this time, I have taught students in the first, second, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. I've probably had more classroms at Bateman than most of you. 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. This is my eleventh year teaching social studies to eighth graders. I look forward to a productive year with the classes of 2015 and 2016! 

Besides grading papers from Bateman students, I spend time helping my own two children with their high school homework. Yes, I have seen all of the Marvel and superhero movies. For exercise, I bicycle (2,000-3,000 miles per year) and ski. 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). If you're a student and you really must know my age, the answer is: "older than you!"   

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