Mary Beth Early’s love for history began when her teachers at Springfield High School inspired her with their deep dives into interesting topics. It was only after she graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in history that she decided to become a teacher.
Since 1999, she’s been at Champaign Central, where she teaches U.S. history, Advanced Placement U.S. history and American history through film.
I find my work important because … I am preparing students for college, career and life.
I became a teacher because … I was a store trainer for a local department store and fell in love with teaching. My mom and grandfather were both teachers.
My favorite or most unique lesson that I teach is … My favorite lessons are “Shark Tank” in A.P. U.S. history. I do this once each semester for the Market Revolution and Gilded Age units.
My most fulfilling moments on the job are when … former students contact me about their success after high school and when my current students smile and tell me “thank you.”
I keep students engaged by … combining various activities: lectures and discussions, document analysis, video clips, and small-group and individual projects. Sometimes, it is just an activity that requires colored pencils.
Something else I’m passionate about is … Outside of school, I love to garden, walk and attend sporting events with my family: Illinois football and basketball and the St. Louis Cardinals.
My favorite teacher and subject to study in school was … I loved all of my history classes at Springfield High School. We changed classes and teachers every quarter and selected the topics. It was almost like college classes with specific in-depth topics for one quarter. My favorite teachers in high school were Herr Spader for German, Mrs. Neece for English literature and Mrs. Knotts for American literature.
If I weren’t a teacher, I would be … not sure. I had several jobs before I found my passion for teaching in my 30s.
— ANTHONY ZILIS