Mr. Klein-Collins

My name is John Klein-Collins, and I have taught language arts on the Star Team for six years.  Prior to arriving at Kennedy, I taught seventh grade language arts, science and math at Kellogg Electronic Research Academy, a Chicago Public School and Mr. Hollander's alma mater.  I am a second-career teacher.  Having resisted the teaching bug in college, I majored in business and worked in human resources and recruiting for Arthur Andersen and inside sales for the Computer Discount Company. 

The best move I ever made was becoming a teacher, particularly a middle school teacher.  I am often lauded for my bravery, but I find that middle schoolers provide the best of both worlds.  They are old enough to provide adult-like answers and thinking while hanging on to their child-like qualities.  I have no regrets for making the transition; in fact, once I made the decision to change occupations, a few of my friends followed suit.

I run a fairly traditional reader's and writer's workshop.  My reading instruction includes mini-lessons focusing on the habits of good readers, book-talks, and read-alouds.  We also devote a significant amount of class time to silent reading.  My classroom library will be a great resource as you work yourself into a reading flow.  Writer's workshop runs much the same way.  We'll use mentor texts, essentially sentences or groups of sentences from young adult literature and other published sources, to model the habits of good writers.  A significant amount of class time will be devoted to writing.  You'll work hard this year, but you'll reap the rewards as you prepare to transition to high school.

When I'm not running reader's and writer's workshops, I enjoy spending time with my family.  I live in Naperville with my wife, Becky, and three sons, Luke, Seth, and Jonah, eight-year-old fraternal triplets.  Becky works from home as the Director of Research for the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning.  We are very fortunate that Becky can do most of her work from home while walking the boys to and from school. 

In addition to teaching, I coach eighth grade basketball with Mr. Hollander, someone I have known since his father coached us in Little League.  I enjoy coaching because it allows me to get to know students outside of my academic team; coaching also allows students to see me in a different context.  We enjoy coaching together very much.

I'm looking very forward to the 2009-2010 academic year.  Let's have a great year.

John Klein-Collins

Contact Mr. Klein-Collins

Voice Mail:  630-848-5600

Email:  jkleincollins@naperville203.org