Our Story
Be the Change Collaborative began in 2016 as a non-profit organization committed to fostering a community of teachers who create and implement interdisciplinary curricular units in classrooms across Chicago. Since then, we have expanded our vision to include more restorative and collaborative programs, resources, and learning opportunities for teachers, led by teachers. Now, more than ever, it is critical that we focus on and support the well-being, expertise, and agency of teachers. As bell hooks writes, “Teachers must be actively committed to a process of self-actualization that promotes their own well being if they are to teach in a manner that empowers students.” We believe that allowing teachers the space and freedom to reach their full potentials inside and outside the classroom will have profound effects on the students in Chicago and on our education system.
About Jeannie
Co-Founder and Director
After graduating from the Urban Teacher Education Program (UTEP) at the University of Chicago, Jeannie Kim has worked in a variety of roles as an educator in Chicago Public Schools and a charter school for the past 15 years. She has taught 5th, 6th, and 7th grades in self-contained classrooms and as a history/writing teacher, served as an instructional coach, and worked as an interventionist and ESL teacher. Most recently, Jeannie has taught 5th grade at a school on the southwest side. She is passionate about interdisciplinary curriculum that is culturally sustaining and action-oriented. She loves supporting teachers holistically wherever they may be on their teaching journey and career. Jeannie is also a mom to two kids.
About Sonia
Co-Founder, Circle Keeper, Coach
Sonia Mi-Sun Wang strives to find meaningful and relevant ways to challenge adolescents in the classroom and in schools. She spent five years teaching middle school English/Language Arts and Social Justice on the southside of Chicago after graduating from the University of Chicago Urban Teacher Education Program (Chicago UTEP) with her MAT. She then stepped into school leadership, serving in various roles including School Director, Assistant Director, Instructional Coach, and Literacy Specialist at the University of Chicago Charter School - Woodlawn Campus. She worked to cultivate opportunities for innovative programs and courses to strengthen school culture as well as maintain a safe, collaborative, and rigorous culture and context for learning and growth for students and staff. Currently, she is the Executive Director of New Community Outreach, a community based non-profit committed to cultivating restorative spaces to youth and neighbors in Bronzeville. She also provides instructional coaching to English teachers at high schools on the west and south sides of Chicago.