Miriam Ruiz-Rodriguez

Mrs. Miriam Rodriguez-Ruiz
Intermediate Grades Resource Provider
Room 209

After twenty five years of serving the children of the Chicago Public Schools and working in a profession that I love and have a passion for I am excited to join the staff at Newberry and welcome new horizons.  Born and raised inChicago, I attended the Chicago Public Schools as an elementary and high school student.  I attended and graduated from Frederic Chopin Elementary and Roberto Clemente High School.  My passion for teaching began way back in second grade with my teacher, Mrs. Pupich.  It was then that I knew I wanted to grow up and be just like her. 

 After graduating from Clemente I attended DePaulUniversityand earned my first degree in Elementary Education, there after I immediately began to work for the Chicago Public Schools.  Not satisfied with my knowledge about Special Education, I returned to DePaul to earn my second degree, a Master of Education in Readingand Learning Disabilities. 

 I have taught both General and Special Education across all grade and age levels and have worked as a Reading Coordinator, Middle School Science, Literature and Language Arts teacher. For the past ten years I have held dual roles as a Case Manager and Special Education Teacher.  Fluent in Spanish, I even taught Spanish as a Second Language my first three years of teaching.  I truly believe and recognize that every child is unique in their approach to learning. As a Special Education teacher it’s my craft to tap into the child’s approach and provide the strategies for a successful academic and social/emotional life. 

 I love Chicago and still live in the neighborhood where I grew up.  I live with my husband, Tony (also a Clemente graduate) and my two daughters Melanie and Kellie.  Melanie is an English Major and senior atDePaulUniversity(an avid reader) and Kellie is a senior at St. Ignatius College Prep (the athlete).  As a family we love sports (Go Go White Sox!!!) and love to travel, our favorite destination isItaly!!!!

 I look forward to getting to know the students and families of Newberry.  I am also excited to not only share my experience but gain knowledge and new ideas from the  Newberry Staff and Community.