My name is Kara Rose Trojan, and my students either call me Ms. Trojan or Ms. T. I am a licensed English Language Arts educator in the state of Illinois, and this year will be my seventh year as an English teacher (nevertheless, I have been working in education for almost ten years). While attending classes for my bachelor's degree at Governors State University, I worked as a licensed paraprofessional (or teacher's aide) for students with emotional and behavior disorders at a day school in unincorporated Palos Heights, IL for approximately 4 years. Afterwards, I graduated magna cum laude from Governors State University with my bachelor's degree in English, and I earned my Type 09 Professional Educator License from the  Illinois State Board of Education. I taught in the city of Chicago for two high schools for approximately five years shortly after earning my license. Currently, I am working back in the south suburbs for Southland College Prep High School as the Freshman English teacher and the English I credit recovery teacher, and I could not be happier!

I am originally from the area -- a former native of Matteson, IL, so I am very familiar with the community that Southland serves. When I am not teaching, I like to engage in my various hobbies, which include reading contemporary literature (for fun, not for work), writing poetry, attending art exhibitions, involving myself in politics, hiking in nature, gardening, cooking vegan food, traveling to places I've never been to, and spending time with my beloved family. In addition, I am a published writer for my academic essays and poetry, which is something I like to do when I am not hunched over a laptop planning lessons or grading student work. 

I am usually regarded as a "no-nonsense nurturer" in terms of my approach to instruction and classroom management. Nevertheless, in the words of bell hooks, my teaching pedagogy is quite simple: "...those of us who teach also believe that there is an aspect of our vocation that is sacred; who believe that our work is not merely to share information but to share in the intellectual and spiritual growth of our students. To teach in a manner that respects and cares for the souls of our students is essential if we are to provide the necessary conditions where learning can most deeply and intimately begin."