Angela Christides

PHOTO: Natalie BattagliaMath and science teacher Angela Christides works with students in her classroom at Edgebrook Elementary. “As a first-year teacher, it’s a lot of work,” she says. “But it’s an awesome job and exactly what I want to do.”

School of Education

Angela Christides

Major: Elementary education, Class of 2015
Job: Sixth-grade math/science teacher

Angela Christides didn’t start out as an education major at Loyola—but she’s glad she ended up as one.

Christides, who teaches at a public school on Chicago’s Northwest Side, puts in long hours every day, and she’ll be the first to tell you that teaching isn’t easy. “But it’s an awesome job and exactly what I want to do,” she said.

Here, she talks about life as a first-year teacher, how Loyola prepared her for the job, and why she’s not done learning herself.

Tell us about your job and what you do.
Originally I came into Loyola as a bio-physics major and switched my sophomore year to study education. When I got into education, I focused on math and science—and now I teach sixth-grade math and science at Edgebrook Elementary School. My day starts very early and ends very late. As a first-year teacher, it’s a lot of work. But it’s an awesome job and exactly what I want to do.

What’s your favorite part of the job? The biggest challenge?
My favorite part of the job is definitely working with the kids. Even if you’re having a bad day, they know what to say to make it better. It’s nice: I make them feel good and they make me feel good. As for challenges, it can be emotionally draining at times, but the job still comes with a lot of perks.

How did you find your job?
Through connections. I was student-teaching at Oriole Park Elementary School and was hired soon after as an intervention specialist. The hope was to stay on through the fall, but unfortunately no other positions were open. Thankfully, I had built a strong relationship with my principal at Oriole Park, who recommended me to Edgebrook, and I got the job.

How did Loyola prepare you for your career?
When I was hired, they told me they don’t hire first-year teachers, but because of my experience with Loyola and the program—it’s a full year of student-teaching—they hired me, which was exciting, but also intimidating.

Any advice you would give to someone looking to get into the same field?
Work hard and remember that it’s not an easy job; it’s not going to be perfect all the time.

And finally, where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
Hopefully with a PhD!