For Immediate Release
Contact
Cameron Dreher-Siefkes
(773) 363-1312
CHICAGO - After more than three decades of dedicated service, Nancy Friesen is set to retire at the end of this semester. Over the past 36 years, Friesen has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of countless educators, while making a lasting impact on the urban teaching landscape in Chicago.
Since joining the Chicago Center, Nancy has tirelessly worked to connect aspiring teachers with the vibrant and diverse communities in Chicago, fostering personal growth, cultural awareness, and professional development. Through her leadership, the Urban Student Teaching Program has grown into a widely respected program, providing invaluable experiences to student teachers and positively impacting the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) system.
“Nancy’s unwavering commitment to our student teachers and her belief in the transformative power of experiential education has been instrumental in the success of our Urban Student Teaching Program,” said Deputy Director, Cameron Dreher-Siefkes. “Her legacy will continue to shape the future of our program for years to come.”
Friesen has worked with over 350 student teachers in over 100 schools, supervising 150 of them in their placements. In her role as Urban Teaching Program Director for the past 30 semesters, she taught the Student Teaching Seminar, placed students with dedicated cooperating teachers, collaborated with more than 25 site supervisors, and related to professors and personnel at the Chicago Center’s partnering institutions.
“I recall with delight each student who passed through our program and the learning paths they experienced as they practiced the art of teaching in our city’s schools,” said Friesen. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to witness and share in their transformations—into certification-ready people, and into young adults prepared to take charge of their future directions, no matter where they’ve been led.”
As Friesen finishes out her final semester with the program, she is working with Meg Rieger, an alumna of the student teaching program from May 2009 and Fall 2010, who will take on the role in the spring of 2025.
“I’m now enjoying my final semester with Chicago Center student teachers, as I prepare to turn my position over to Meg (Nally) Rieger. Meg has been a connected alum over the years since her student teaching in our program—supporting cohorts through our Alumni Return sessions, and serving both as a cooperating teacher and as a site supervisor,” said Friesen. “As she became increasingly interested in roles like mine, it seemed the perfect opportunity for me to retire, knowing our program is in her good hands.”
With 13 years experience as a Chicago Public School educator, Rieger has dedicated her career to urban education. She holds a Bachelor's in Elementary Education and Music from Illinois Wesleyan University and a Master's in Music Education from Northwestern University. She focused her practice on student autonomy and building a positive learning environment.
“My time as a student at the Chicago Center had a profound impact on me, both personally and as an educator. I have always loved Chicago: my early roots were in Roger’s Park and the northern suburbs, and I have strong family ties to the city. The Chicago Center provided a bridge to help me return during college and build relationships within Chicago Public Schools leading to a fulfilling 13 year career there,” said Rieger. “It also broadened my perspective, to appreciate the diverse communities across the city beyond the neighborhoods I grew up near. I am honored to direct a program that was so impactful on my personal and professional life! I am incredibly grateful to Nancy for all of her mentorship throughout the years and look forward to building upon her strong foundation.”
Friesen reflected, “I will miss introducing the city to new students, and will miss my regular interactions with the network of people who support this great profession. Yet, I do hope to keep up with folks and look forward to hearing about how the next groups engage with our youngest Chicagoans.”
About the Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture:
For nearly 55 years, the Chicago Center has been bringing students together with people and places in our dynamic city to create transformative student learning experiences. Today, the Chicago Center prepares students to be global citizens with greater self-awareness and career preparedness. We help them to think critically about the world around them as they prepare for a variety of careers. By educating with a community-based approach, the Chicago Center prepares our alumni to be lifelong learners and change agents in communities across the globe.
For more information about the Chicago Center and its programs, upcoming events, and ways to donate, please visit www.chicagocenter.org.
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