Realtors, librarians and engineers spoke about their jobs, but the 3rd graders at Edgebrook Elementary School in McHenry were intrigued most by the mayor.
Nick Wenzara, 9, wrote this to McHenry Mayor Steven Cuda: “I liked the shovel, and I liked your speech. When I grow up I want to be a mayor just like you.”
Rebecca Manktelow, 8, wrote: “Your job must be very important to you. You get to give speeches and make most of the laws that there are.”
Visits by the mayor and others were part of Junior Achievement’s Elementary School Program. For the kindergartners through 4th graders, the program provided role models who presented their jobs in enriching, lively ways, said assistant principal Judy Sola.
Students spent five weeks studying a topic in-depth. For instance, 1st graders were introduced to issues involving families, 3rd graders looked at the inner workings of a city and 4th graders studied regional issues.
In Carol Bataille’s 3rd grade class, an engineering inspector from the City of McHenry explained how different parts of the city were zoned. Cuda talked a little about his job and then answered questions.
“To 3rd graders, government is a very abstract (concept),” Bataille said. “They only know school and family. Children are fascinated with people who are in charge of them, especially when they realize that their parents have rules to follow too.”
