From her childhood in Little Village to her bilingual biology classroom at West Chicago Community High School, Christina Sladek’s life has been defined by responsibility, resilience, and a passion for learning. Her journey inspires not only her students but also her children, as she balances her roles as a teacher, mother, and lifelong learner.
It was a cold day in Chicago when a young Sladek headed upstairs to her grandmother’s apartment to learn Spanish. Those early lessons would later inform her teaching approach, helping her connect with students in a bilingual setting.
“Mrs. Sladek has a really laid-back teaching style, which I really like[d]. She is a very kind and outgoing teacher who really makes an effort to support her students as much as possible,” former student Andrew Langellier said.
Her commitment to education extends beyond the classroom. Sladek is remembered fondly by retired WEGO colleague Brad Larson, who ran the GSA club with her.
“One thing I miss about working with Mrs. Sladek is her constant, steadfast commitment to the students in our school. She doesn’t just work hard at teaching; she works hard to be a positive contributor to all aspects of our school,” Larson said.
Sladek credits her upbringing with shaping her sense of responsibility. As the eldest sibling, she often looked after her younger brothers, a role that taught her patience and maturity.
“I had a lot of responsibility in terms of taking care of my siblings after school, and during summer break, I was responsible for babysitting them,” Sladek said. “It’s helped me be more patient with people and have a greater sense of responsibility.”
Her academic path was not linear. After starting at the University of Illinois, she transferred to a community college while working full-time, eventually earning her teaching certificate at Northern Illinois University.
“I didn’t start there right away. I actually went to the University of Illinois in Champaign, but I made some not-the-best choices while I was down there,” Sladek said.
Balancing work and education, Sladek also became a mother. Her first marriage, to the father of her son Alex, ended in divorce. She later met her current husband while working at the Chicago Board of Trade, and they now share a daughter, Emily, who is in sixth grade.
“They do enjoy learning. Alex probably not as much, but he does. Emily loves learning right now; she’s very enthusiastic about school,” Sladek said.
At WEGO, Sladek is admired for her meticulous teaching style, which prioritizes student success through preparation and organization.
“I am always impressed by how organized and methodical Mrs. Sladek is in her teaching. There is a lot of preparation that goes into teaching science, and good preparation leads to labs and experiments with which students can be successful,” Larson said. “Mrs. Sladek is a master at putting all of this together.”
Sladek’s dedication to learning extends to her family. Whether helping Alex with high school science finals or reading library books with Emily, she ensures education is a cornerstone of their lives.
“We like to read a lot too. We spend a lot of time at the library. We usually sign up for the reading programs they offer throughout the year,” Sladek said.
