Decisions, One Step at a Time
He leaves home early in the morning. The destination makes that decision for him. Once he arrives at his workplace, there are multiple procedures to go through before he reaches his classroom located at 2701 S. California Avenue, Chicago, Illinois (Cook County Jail). Shawn Coffey is one of 19 educators who daily offer high school educational opportunities to male inmates, ages 17-21, of the Cook County Correctional Facilities. York Alternative High School (approximately 300 students) is a Chicago Public School (CPS) operating entirely within the Cook County Department of Corrections. Shawn will soon complete his second year as a social science teacher in this classroom setting. The school year begins the first week of September and concludes the first week of August the following summer.
The overall curriculum is largely limited to core subjects and some vocational training. Only students who qualify are admitted. Specific guidelines must be followed by the students to stay in the program. All students are in the correctional system awaiting trial. Specific services are available (as in other public schools) to assist the students in their efforts to secure a GED certificate or a high school diploma. These services include social worker, librarian, special education teacher, counselor, and school psychologist.
When the regular school day is over, Shawn teaches a social studies class several nights a week (4:00-6:00 pm) for NCLB (No Child Left Behind) Evening High School Programs through CPS. Students from York may qualify to participate in this accelerated cohort program offering science and social science options at this location. Participation in this program requires more intense study from the students, and the pace is faster.
Shawn is a strong supporter of community service. On the weekends during the summer, he coaches a little league baseball team (9- and 10-year-olds) in one of the City’s diverse neighborhoods. As one might predict, the players on the team have high hopes for the season.
Shawn’s background and training brings valuable experiences to this diverse urban educational setting. He is a native of Dixon, Illinois, and a graduate of Dixon High School. His four years in the U.S. Marine Corps (motor transportation for special operations capable unit), with assignments in Somalia, Bosnia, and Haiti, have provided a unique framework for this teaching position.
A Spring 2005 graduate of WIU, Shawn majored in History Education. He chose to student teach in the City. His student teaching experience was at Sheridan Math and Science Academy (CPS). He was selected as a participant for the CPS Summer Fellows Teaching Program in 2004 and a resident assistant for that same program in 2005. He also worked with Human Resources for CPS in summer 2005.
“WIU did a great job preparing me to become a teacher. Teaching has been worth it every day. If I had it do again, selecting a college and later where to begin my teaching career, I would make the same decisions,” Shawn shares. He was very proud of three of his students who earned enough credits to graduate from high school this spring. By example, Shawn continues to be a positive influence in the lives of students. His students are also making decisions, one step at a time.