The PE department welcomed a new teacher, Kari Rogers, in early August: she is ready and looking forward to “strengthening” the department.

Straight out of college, Rogers worked an administrative assistant at the Board of Trade, and job she quickly realized she not want to pursue for the rest of her life. She took a long-term substitute dance teacher at Lake Forest High School. It was there she realized she wanted to teach dance, and so she started working her way through the necessary certifications, even traveling to Milwaukee to finish her education.

Following a seven-year family leave, Rogers returned to work as a substitute teacher in the district last year. Now, Rogers is joining WCCHS’ staff as a full-time gym teacher.

“There was another option at a middle school, but I really wanted to be in high school. Came here once, and just realized how beautiful this school is. And so far, the kids are extremely, kind,” Rogers said.

Since interviewing for the position she eventually accepted, Rogers recalls being very pleased with the welcome at West Chicago Community High School. Upon taking the job, she said that the staff – and especially the students – have all been nice to her and she enjoys that aspect at the school. 

“I would say the students are, by far, just so kind,” Rogers said.

Although she appreciates WEGO, Rogers’ first love is Iowa – she studied there in college – and she will be keeping up with the Iowa Hawkeyes this fall.

Rogers also spends a lot of her time out of school traveling and watching her kids play sports.

“I’m a mom, so a lot of it is ‘mom.’ My kids are in sports on weekends, football. I love football,” Rogers said.

Meanwhile, she is still trying to get used to the daily tasks she has to do as a teacher now that she is back in the classroom. She enjoys how much the students are intrigued about her life, and how often the students ask her about herself.

“I just find that really to be very genuine, so that’s awesome,” Rogers said.