Mr Paris was the best band director.

My junior year of high school I decided to sign up for an AP English course because I love english and I wanted a challenge. So I signed up for AP English Literature. But by the time submissions were due I was not on the list because som many people signed up. So my counselor automatically placed me in AP English Language and Composition with Ms. Kristen Bruscato. I was so scared to take her class because of the rumors about her. People who had her said that she was the toughest teacher at Lincoln Park and she is not the nicest person in the world. I was scared but I still went through on it. I can remember the first day of class I walked in and asked her, "where should I sit, Ms. Bruscato?" and she pointed her finger to the desk which was in the middle of the room facing her desk. That was such an intimidating seat! Plus I had her as one of my two homeroom teachers the period before so I can never ditch her class. But in a short amount of time, I never wanted to. Speaking from my heart, she is still one of the best teachers I have ever had in my academic life. She has taught me so many things in the realm of English and writing that I never knew about. Even though she was a VERY tough teacher, I've learned the value of striving to do your best. I know that I will never find another teacher like her. I will love her and be eternally grateful to have her as an instructor for the rest of my life.

Thanks Ms. Bruscato!!!

Love Always,

Darry Powell-Young  AP English Language and Composition-4th period 2007-2008

Mrs. Kostopoulos was my very favorite teacher at Lincoln Park High School. She was our Sophomore Honors English class teacher.

She was always upbeat and happy and made everything sound fun and interesting. We read one of my favorite novels of all time in her class, To Kill A Mockingbird. I always remember her sitting on one of the student desks in front of the class as we discussed things in class. This was the first time I ever had a teacher do that, as if she really wanted to connect to us and didn't like the distance of her desk between us.

Mrs. Kostopoulos always had this energy around her as if she wanted to will all of the knowledge she had into us. She always had time for us if we had a problem or question, no matter how busy she was. She was also the Yearbook coordinator and made me want to join the Yearbook Committee, which I really didn't know anything about.

Mrs. Kostopoulos was an awesome teacher and role model! When I decided to switch majors from psychology to teaching, I went back to Lincoln Park and asked her if I could observe her class for school and interview her. Of course, she said,"Sure!"

If I can reach just one of my students the way she touched me, then I know I am a great teacher! I will always remember Lincoln Park and Mrs. Kostopoulos and I am extremely grateful to her and all of my CPS teachers for making the difference in my life!