Welcome!

I am so happy to be here at St. Charles for my seventh year as a middle school ELA teacher. I have taught at the middle school level in Catholic schools for my entire teaching career. After spending some time at home with my children, I returned as a Spanish teacher for a couple of years, but teaching language arts and literature is my passion.  Teaching for over 30 years has given me so many opportunities to be enriched by students and their families.  I cherish each path I have crossed and the many lifelong connections I have made.

 My husband and I have four children who are grown and on their own, and this summer we added two grandbabies so we are excited to watch our family grow! In our free time we really enjoy staying active outside in all seasons-- kayaking, biking, golfing, hiking, playing pickleball  and snowshoeing in winter are some of our favorite activities. Of course I am an avid reader, and I also enjoy swimming, trying new recipes, working out, Pilates, and boating.  We love to go up north and spend time in nature on Post Lake.

 My love of learning inspires me to travel to as many new places as possible. Each year we pick a new area to explore. Last year we traveled to Texas in fall and in spring we went to DC and up and down the East Coast. This summer we spent two weeks in Europe and made it to five countries. I even met new family members who we stayed with for a few days!   Because my husband and I  share a love of theater, music, art, history, and other cultures, traveling allows us to learn even more about our world. I even have dual citizenship and was able to use my Luxembourg passport as I traveled by plane, train, bus, subway, and car through Europe.

I am grateful to be able to teach at St. Charles and guide my students to become lifelong readers and writers, along with sharing my faith on a daily basis with them. I also appreciate the sense of community and the supportive staff at St. Charles. I look forward to another awesome year together, continuing to build our faith!!

Blessings,

Mrs. Birk

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." - John 8:12