Gerardo Rodriguez of Darwin Elementary School
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.
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Bridging Chicago Team
Nathan Ciulla, Host and Senior Producer
Nathan is an experienced, relationship driven host with a strong desire to connect our listeners to our guests by providing a fun, interactive experience that celebrates the experience and achievements of our guests. He is also a legal assistant at SATC|Law and enjoys cooking and baking for his friends and family.
Savannah Rountree, Host
“Feminist. Lipstick collector. Bibliophile. Dog-mom.” Savannah is a passionate advocate of equality for all. She is a current law student at Loyola University Chicago, where she is simultaneously working towards a master's degree in public policy. Did we mention that she already has a master’s degree in religion/religious studies from The University of Chicago. Savannah is also a law clerk at SATC|Law, where she looks to continue her career as an attorney once she is finished with school.
Nora Becerril, Contributor
Mother to Josephine and a legal assistant at SATC|Law. Nora graduated from Western Illinois University where she obtained a degree in Agricultural Science with an emphasis in Environmental Studies. Nora is a multi-lingual (English, Spanish and French) and multi-talented advisor to the @BridgingChicago podcast. Be sure to watch out for Nora on future episodes of the podcast.
Karen Small, Advisor
Karen is our task-oriented leader that ensures our team is producing our desired results by providing the necessary structure, roles and goals. Karen is also the office manager of SATC|Law, where she has honed her skills at running an office at the highest standards and efficiency.
John W. Campbell, Jr., Head of Operations
John is a principal at SATC|Law in Chicago. He represents individuals, entrepreneurs and privately held companies on developing and achieving their strategic business goals and asset protection and long term planning needs. He is also the director and vice president for the Center for Law and Social Work, a public charity that provides adoption and adult guardianship services, and a director of Rebuild Foundation, a public charity that provides a platform for art, cultural development, and neighborhood transformation.