Every week we will shine a spotlight on one of our very own Hometown Staff members. This week we will meet Mrs. Maureen Finnegan
How long and what grades have you taught?
I have been teaching for 27 years. Twenty-three of the teaching has been in District 123. I went to Eastern Illinois University. I was able to student teach at Sward School in 5th grade. I started out as an aide in a 6th grade classroom at Sward. I taught for 2 years at St. John Fisher in 6th and 7th grade before coming back to Sward to teach 5th grade at Sward for 10 years. I was lucky enough to work for 4 years as a math coach at Sward, Hannum and Hometown and then an instructional coach at Sward for 4 years. A math coach works with teachers and classrooms to help the math lessons engage and excite. When a math support teacher opened up at Hometown, I knew I wanted to work in the math world again. I feel most comfortable working with our district math curriculum and love helping the students and teachers at Hometown.
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why? I would love to travel anywhere in the West Coast. I have seen the east coast and the Midwest, and even some of the West, but I never have seen the pacific ocean or the mountains of Washington in person. Mountains are my favorite!
What is the best thing about working at Hometown? The best thing about HOMETOWN is each CHILD. I love the togetherness here and the way everyone roots for everyone. We are a tight knit community. I grew up here in Hometown. I have raised two children who have gone through this school. HOMETOWN has HEART and this is my favorite part of working here!
What is your favorite food? I love CHICKEN chimichangas! Honest, I just love eating! I am not a good cook though. Mr. Finnegan does all the cooking in our house. I am one lucky person because he is just the best cook ever!
Who is someone you admire and why? A person I admire is my mom. She was my best friend. My mom made everything look effortless. She raised 5 children. I was the youngest. She taught us right from wrong and never complained about anything! She made our beds every morning and sent us each day to school with a brown bag lunch. She made a sit down dinner every night (hot and ready to go when my dad got home from work). She taught me that family is everything. She had the best sense of humor and knew how to have fun. I miss her everyday, but love having all the positive memories and examples that she set. She led by example. Thank you for being such a good role model MOM!
If you see Mrs. Finnegan around the school make sure you say hello!!
