Q: What’s your name?
A: “Olivia Jaime(pronounced hi-muh).”
Q: What is your position here at Central?
A: “I am a Spanish 1 and Spanish 3 teacher.”
Q: What did you do before coming to Central? (jobs, educations)
A: “I was at Naperville North for 7 years. I also taught at an all girls school called Regina Dominican, and my first year teaching was at Plainfield South High School.
So for my Bachelor’s, I graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. I lived in Barcelona, Spain for a year. I took classes at the University of Barcelona, and then I also finished my master’s, and I got that at the University of San Amanca in Spain. My Bachelor’s is in teaching of Spanish, and my master’s is in Spanish language and culture. My thesis was focused on using art to teach lower levels. So I really like the arts. I think it’s really important to make those cultural connections, and I think art is a really great vehicle to do that. Q: What are your hobbies?
A: “I’ve recently really been trying to make time to read. I have a [two-year old] toddler. So it’s been difficult to find time to teach. I’ve been using a lot of audiobooks. I could listen to them while Ido dishes or fold laundry.
I really love doing arts and crafts with my friends. We decided that instead of going on to dinner, we decided that when we get together, we’re gonna, make something. So last time we hung out, we decided to meet at Color Me Mine(DIY pottery place), and we each designed a plate for our kids so that they can eat off this plate every single year on their birthday.”
Q: What clubs or extracurriculars are you currently involved with, or hope to be involved in here at Central?
A: “I am one of the sponsors of BLA, and I also recently became a sponsor of [Future Problem Solvers]. I am Mexican American, so I feel a personal connection with the club. And then at Naperville North, I was one of the sponsors of the Latin American Student Association, and so it was really important to be involved in that club, to make all students feel welcome. And for future problem solvers, they reached out to me, and I was just very impressed with their dedication. And I think that some of the things that they do in the club are things that we can apply in the classroom. Like, I’m curious about their approach to solving problems, and then I’m excited to learn about how they do that. And, you know, teaching my students how to do that as well.”
Q: Is there anything else you would like to talk about?
A: “I would just say that, truly, everyone at Central has been so kind, so helpful, very warm and welcoming, and it feels very homey here.”