Family and consumer science teacher, Michelle Kline, has devoted 33 years to teaching students how to sew, work with children and cook among others. She’s been teaching fashion one, fashion two, fashion studio, early childhood education and other courses under the fine and applied arts department. After working 15 years at Niles West, Kline has decided to retire.
Originally going to school at Harper College for fashion design, Kline was pleased to find out she could get a teaching degree at Northern Illinois University to combine the two subjects, something she dreamed about doing.
“I became a family consumer science teacher because at some point I realized that I could work with little kids and I could teach sewing,” Kline said. “As soon as I figured out I could do this job and work with little kids, that was it.”
Family and consumer science courses falls under the fine and applied arts department, and it includes classes like consumer education, all levels of fashion, early childhood education one and two, culinary, and introduction to education classes. As an early childhood teacher, Kline has been able to teach students about childhood development as well as interacting with the Montessori preschool.
Kline has made a lasting impact on District 219. In 1999, she became the first family and consumer science teacher at Niles North to teach Health Careers, as it had previously been a one semester class taught by a nurse. After spending so many years at D219, she has seen how the consumer education department has changed.
“I think it went from being career focused to not, and now I feel like it’s going back to being more career focused,” Kline said “It’s no longer a class where you’re just sewing to sew, but that you can get a job in this.”
Family and consumer science teacher Jenna Swiatkiewicz has worked with Kline for the past four years and has seen the impact Kline has made on students.
“She consistently goes above and beyond for her students and is always willing to collaborate across teams to better support them,” Swiatkiewicz said.
Senior Wanda Sanchez has had Kline as a teacher since freshman year, taking every fashion class the school has to offer. One thing Sanchez loves most about fashion is the environment Kline has created for her students.
“I honestly can’t remember a single class period I didn’t look forward to,” Sanchez said. “Every semester, every group of students, there is a different dynamic that comes to life and it’s always good, always intentional. It’s always something you want to be part of.”
Being in Kline’s fashion class for many years, Sanchez has learned a lot from her classes beyond the basics of crafting fabric together.
“She has taught me patience. There is art in the process just as much as there is success in the finished piece,” Sanchez said. “Your work will, and should, speak for itself and that rushing only takes away from what you’re capable of creating. Mrs. Kline pushes you to rely on your own capabilities.”
Though Kline will miss teaching, she is ready to move on and continue her two businesses: MK Designs and her alterations shop.
“I love teaching, it’s all the extra stuff like curriculum night that I’m done, I don’t want to do it… just let me teach,” Kline said. “I want to get to all my daughter’s games. I’ll keep doing alterations and merchandise, like the cups and the shirts. And I want to be on my boat.”
Niles West thanks Kline for her 15 years of service to the students and the school. The community congratulates her on retiring and wishes her the best of luck!
