Take Five with Michael Bigelow: First Grade Teacher at Skinner North

Take Five is a series that highlights members of the CPS community who are going above and beyond for our students. All throughout the 2024–25 school year, we will be spotlighting our amazing CPS teachers! If you know a teacher who is making a difference, nominate them to be featured here.

Meet Michael Bigelow, a first-grade teacher at Skinner North Classical School in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood! This is not Mr. Bigelow’s first time teaching at Skinner North—he moved away for a time to teach in South Dakota and Michigan—but when he came back to Chicago, he knew Skinner North was where he wanted to be. Skinner North is a school community where creativity is encouraged, which suits Mr. Bigelow perfectly. In addition to his regular job, Mr. Bigelow teaches after-school programming that has included chess club, art club, and ukulele club.

Music has been part of Mr. Bigelow’s life for many years. Originally from Michigan, he was a music major in college and a member of Rackham Choir in Detroit. His interest in teaching was sparked when the choir toured Detroit’s public schools doing a performance called “The Reluctant Dragon,” which aimed to teach children about tolerance. Dressed in a nine-foot-tall dragon costume, Mr. Bigelow quickly realized how fun and fulfilling working with children could be.

As an educator, Mr. Bigelow strives to maintain a calm attitude at all times and model the behavior that he hopes to teach his students. He also likes to begin every year by asking students to share details about themselves, their interests, and their culture with the class. Mr. Bigelow incorporates these details into lessons so that students with all different talents, personalities, and experiences can thrive.

Learn more about Mr. Bigelow below!

You’re known for your ability to engage parents in their children’s learning. How do you accomplish this?

I love getting to know parents and involving them in our classroom. Parents have such great insight into what might work best for their child, and they’re able to help me better understand their family’s culture and their child’s personality. I communicate with them often so they always know what their child is learning in class, as well as some ideas for what they can work on at home. I also like inviting parents to visit class, especially for big, fun, and messy science experiments.

What do you love most about your work?

I love doing hands-on activities, especially in science class. The key to science is being fascinated by the way the world works, even if you don’t quite understand it yet. I’m passionate about giving students opportunities to see themselves in what they’re learning. And I always love the moment when a student starts to truly understand something or feels really excited and proud about their accomplishments. 

Why do you like teaching first grade?

First-graders are so enthusiastic and curious. At this age, no matter if we’re doing a science experiment or taking a movement break, they’re going to go all in. Six and seven-year-olds have a lot to say, and I love seeing how excited they are to learn. 

What are your biggest goals for your students?

I hope to help my students develop a strong sense of self and purpose. One thing we discuss a lot is self-talk and the ability to see value in everything. We’re talking about how we can create our own environment versus reacting to it. I hope they can find joy and learning in all environments. I also want all of my students to leave my class feeling like they're good at something and that they can contribute something.

What do you like to do when you’re not teaching?

I really like to paint, so recently I've been doing a lot of paintings as wedding gifts for my friends who have gotten married this year. I love to travel with friends—we recently went to Mexico City and had a lot of fun. I also enjoy just hanging out on the beach with my dog, a miniature pinscher named Greta.