Helen Dunlea’s early inklings have proven to be very much on target.
Over 36 years after she first set foot in Madison School in Hinsdale as an instructional assistant, she will work her final day May 30, before retiring. She has worked in District 181 the longest of eight people who are retiring this year.
“I just made a new discovery; the word retired has the base word ‘tired’ in it,” she said. “This is a Mrs. Dunlea joke and is also how I respond to my students when they ask me why I am retiring. They just look at me with a blank look on their faces, and then after a few short seconds, smile. I love it.”
Knowing as a child that she wanted to pursue teaching as a career, Dunlea also has known, since early on, the grade level in which she was most interested.
“I chose fourth grade because I wanted to teach children that were a little bit older, but not too old, so fourth grade was the best grade for me,” she said. “The students can do a lot of things for themselves, but are ready to learn higher-level things.
“Fourth graders have begun developing their own interests and are also developing their sense of self at this stage of their lives. It’s so gratifying to see them discover who they are. Most of all, fourth graders are funny and get my jokes, most of the time. I always tell them I have to entertain myself at work because I hang out with 9- and 10-year-olds all day.”
Dunlea’s job as an instructional assistant in 1989 was her first out of college. She worked in a sixth grade classroom with 34 students.
“During that time, it was difficult getting a teaching job, so I was a reading specialist and a middle school teacher in another district,” she said. “I came back to District 181 when there was an opening in 1992, and began teaching fourth grade, full time here, at Madison School. I haven’t left since then.”
Dunlea spent three years teaching in a third grade classroom at Madison, but fourth grade was her home the rest of the time.
“I love teaching at the elementary level because the students are learning how to learn,” she said. “By the time students at Madison are fourth graders, they are good readers and can use the strategies that work for them. I always say, in fourth grade, students learn how they learn, so they can use what works for them.
“Fourth graders are fun because they are silly one moment and introspective the next. They are really interesting. Most of all, fourth graders are funny. I need that throughout the day.”
As for the qualities she believes makes for a good fourth grade teacher, Dunlea said she gave her daughter a couple of her best pieces of advice when she became a teacher,
“I told her, first and foremost, love your students,” Dunlea said. “When you show your students you love them and are working hard to help them, they typically reciprocate and work hard for you.”
For Dunlea, loving her students equates to knowing all about them.
“One of my favorite things is when I ask my students about an important event in their lives, whether it be a grandparent visiting, or a swim meet over the weekend,” she said. “Their eyes light up while they tell you all about it. Their little faces have, ‘I can’t believe she remembered,’ or ‘I can’t believe she knew that,’ written all over it. It’s my favorite thing.
“Eventually, the fourth graders like the feeling of growing and succeeding, so then they work hard for that intrinsic feeling of success for themselves.”
Dunlea’s second major piece of advice for her daughter was to get to know the parents of students because they are partners in their children’s learning.
“With parents, a good teacher is open and honest, showing the parents you want the best for their child,” she said.
Dunlea said she has discussions with parents about the behaviors and/or routines seen at home, along with what she sees in class.
“Together, we make a plan, working together to get the best results for their child,” she said. “The parents at Madison have been great advocates for their children throughout the years. I love when my fourth-graders know that their teacher is working in tandem with their parents. It’s a powerful thing.”
As her final day teaching approaches, Dunlea said she will miss all of her connections to Madison School — from students, parents, and colleagues.
“It’s difficult because I have spent the majority of my adulthood at Madison and have grown as a teacher in this building,” she said. I consider myself a seasoned teacher and know that being at Madison played a huge role in who I have become as an educator.
“My colleagues are simply the best people anyone could work with and have taught me everything I know. Former teachers who have come and gone, have done so, leaving a part of them with me and at Madison. I am so grateful to have had these people in my life, and treasure all of the things they have taught me. I hope I have done the same with some of our newer teachers.”
Most of all, Dunlea said, she will miss the kids.
“I will miss being with my fourth graders and knowing what makes each one of them tick,” he said, “Knowing the kids is the best thing a teacher can do.”
Principal Barbara Shanahan said Dunlea has been a constant presence at Madison over the years and will “certainly be missed.”
“Her belief in building a strong community through lasting relationships with students and families is truly remarkable,” Shanahan said. “Her high expectations and genuine kindness have inspired so many. Helen’s positive impact will be deeply felt.”
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
