Continuing Teachers Appreciation Month, Savannah Rountree sits down with Gerardo Rodriguez, a 5th and 6th grade science teacher at Darwin Elementary. Raised in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood in Chicago, Rodriguez attended Chicago Public School from elementary to high school. During his junior year of high school, Rodriguez found himself aiding other students and realizing he had a passion for teaching others about science and math. Graduating from the University of Illinois at Chicago, he majored in Urban Education and was mentored by Dr. Edward Podsiadlik, one of Bridging Chicago’s previous guests! He took his newly gained experience and knowledge from his time at UIC to develop his teaching style and overall approach. As a second year teacher, he implements mediation and peace circles to his classroom, and is also a mentor for the Darwin Robotics Club.