Isaiah Peachey- Teaching in the City

Steve & Isaiah Peachey riding to girls basketball game.

Isaiah Peachey was around the girl’s basketball program as he grew up with his dad as an assistant coach. The Peachey’s- Isaiah, Tai, and Seth were Allen’s playmates in the gym. They ran all over while we were practicing. They played made up games in the balconies. Often it took some time for them to remember where they took there shoes off in the school.

Isaiah went onto to play varsity basketball for the Streaks, then got his college degree from Olivet Nazarene. And he chose to go into the “family business”, teaching.

Recently the Register-Mail did a series on Galesburg grads moving away. We expect to hear about grads moving to the “suburbs” or huge businesses in the large cities. Usually we think the motivation is to chase big bucks.

Isaiah is one of “those kids moving to the city”, but then he isn’t “one of those kids moving to the city.” His teaching career has not taken him to New Trier or Barrington to make huge money, it has taken him to work in a city school on the south side of Chicago. Despite the challenges, Isaiah seems to be enjoying his experience. It is fascinating to hear about his experience as a teacher and as a coach in Chicago.

Massey- When did you decide to go into teaching? Why did you decide to go into teaching?

Isaiah- I never wanted to be a teacher. I grew up in a family of teachers and the last thing I wanted to do was stay in school for the rest of my life. I liked the idea of coaching but didn't want to have to teach to do that. I initially started off as a Sports Management major but after a very uninspiring freshman year, I went on a 3-month-long missions trip to Kenya, Africa with 11 other college students from around the country. While in Kenya, I had the opportunity to help locals build a school room. Once we completed the school, I assisted the local teacher with English and math lessons. I loved being able to see a kid's face light up when they got the right answer but more importantly, I enjoyed the relationship I was able to build with the kids in that short time. I believe that this is when God changed my heart about teaching and lead me to teach where I currently am.

Massey- What schools have you worked at in Chicago? Where are these schools?

Isaiah- Speaking of where I am, I am currently teaching at a school called Lindblom (pronounced Lind-bloom) Math and Science Academy. It is a selective enrollment school in the Englewood neighborhood on the south side of the city. I teach 8th and 9th grade geography and I love it. The selective enrollment part means that students from around the city take a test at the end of 6th grade and they can take another test at the end of 8th grade and depending on their scores, they can be eligible to get in to the school. There are several designated selective enrollment schools around the city. Some are more well known, like Whitney Young, Walter Payton College Prep, Northside College Prep, and Lane Tech. We just had our first student begin their college experience at MIT!

I have worked predominately in south and southwest neighborhoods, at Richards Career Academy in the Back of the Yards neighborhood, and TEAM Englewood, just down the street from my current school.

Massey- How do you get to school? In fact, how often in the normal course of things do you drive a car?

Isaiah-This is the first job that I've decided to drive to work. For the first three years of teaching, I took public transportation that consisted of two trains and a bus. My current driving commute in the morning isn't bad at about 30 minutes. I like to beat the traffic so I leave our apartment at 5:35am and get to school right after it opens at 6AM. It helps get me ready for basketball season because the 9th grade Boys Basketball team gets the 6am practice time. School begins at 8AM so that's fun.

After school commute is a different story. If I leave right after school, I can get home in an hour while driving on Lake Shore Drive past Navy Pier. If I leave after 4PM, I can sit in traffic for over an hour and a half. Podcasts, audiobooks, and phone calls home are the key to not losing it.

While it would be nice to have my dad's 10 minute commute from the farm to GHS, I like the view I get of Lake Michigan better than the endless cornfields and train stops I grew up watching. :)

Massey- Describe your school and your course load?

Isaiah- In 2016, Lindblom was ranked the 9th best high school in the state of Illinois. I wasn't there to be a part of that pride but our students have not lost a step since then. One of the biggest things I've learned in my almost 5 years in the city is that everything can be tied to politics. Sometimes that is helpful and sometimes that can hurt ya. I'll leave it at that. Like I said earlier, I teach 8th and 9th grade Geography. I work with all of the 8th grade students and one class (30 students) of AP Geography 9th graders. I really enjoy the flexibility that comes with working in Chicago Public Schools because of the trust of the administration to form the curriculum around student needs and interests.

Massey- Maybe I am wrong but you seem very satisfied with teaching in the city of Chicago. What are some of the challenges but also what are some of the rewards you find teaching in Chicago?

Isaiah- I love teaching in the city of Chicago. I believe that a lot of it has to do with what I feel like is my calling as well as the opportunity to learn from my students because of the diversity of the city. I love when students are able to connect with what I'm teaching and provide their own life experiences to the discussion.

Massey- What do you hope to be doing in 10 years?

Isaiah- In 10 years, who knows what my career will look like. I'm currently in Northeastern Illinois University's Educational Leadership Graduate program. It is the new name for the Type 75 license for school administrators. I'm not too fired up to make that jump yet but in the city, things move quickly so I can't guarantee anything. I'm currently coaching 9th grade boys basketball and I love it but it takes a lot in the city. Either way, I will hopefully still be in education in 10 years. I love the city and I love working in education.

Massey- Socially what are things you like to do, living in Chicago?

Isaiah- My wife and I love living in the city. We have really enjoyed the friends we've been able to make, the proximity to endless new restaurants to check out, and the Blackhawks and Cubbies winning their championships! There is always something to do in the city. Growing up in the Western Big 6, I have been in some amazing gyms. One thing I never experienced in central Illinois is going to a basketball game and taking the elevator to the top floor (3+ floors) to get to the gym. Still miss the packed Thiel gyms for girls and guys conference games on Thursday and Friday nights.

Massey- Being our tour guide, what are some places to eat or things to do that Galesburg people might not be aware of that you would recommend?

Isaiah- I’m not even sure where to start. There is an endless list of food options but I tried to pick some of my favorites. The sliced brisket at Smoque BBQ, Homeslice (pizza place near DePaul's campus), Shake Shack for a quick burger and shake, and Monti's Philly Cheesesteaks. I love deep dish pizza but it might shock some people to hear that you can't eat it every day if you live in the city.

As far as things to do, one of my favorite activities in the city is the Chicago river tour. You can't go wrong with any of the companies that give tours and they give you so much information about the history of Chicago, it's buildings, and it's people.

Massey- With the summers off, you and your wife have gotten to do a lot of traveling. What have been a couple of your favorite places?

Isaiah- Abby and I love to travel and we have really been fortunate to be able to take advantage of my breaks to get out and see the world. This past summer we spent 11 days in London, Paris, and Rome (about 3 days in each city). Surprisingly, I enjoyed London the most even though Rome was a close 2nd. During the summer of 2015, we got to spend a month roadtrippin' along the West Coast. A full 30 days from Vegas, to Phoenix, up the coast to LA, Sacramento, Portland, Seattle, and Boise. That was an experience.

Massey- What has to happen for the Bulls to get things going?

Isaiah- The Bulls. First off, they need to stop punching each other. Pretty simple from the team perspective. From the Front Office, I think it's time for Gar and Paxson to move on. I lost faith in the Front Office's vision when then signed Wade and Rondo last season and then sold the Jordan Bell pick to the Warriors so they could buy out Wade's contract. The team needs to clean house and start over. In the meantime, I will be cheering for the Chicago North team. The Minnesota Timberwolves have several formal Bulls members and they're a young, fun team to watch. My wife is from Minnesota so I'll play that card too.