Shalonda Carr has lived in the Champaign-Urbana area (mostly Urbana, she says) since 2005, when she entered graduate school at the University of Illinois. The 31-year-old has worked at King Elementary School as an ESL teacher for the past seven years and has been involved in the after-school program since last year. This fall, she will teaching her students how to knit, and is seeking donations of surplus yarn (see below).
Recently married to her Canadian (Quebecois) husband, Shalonda is mom to a 6-year-old daughter and is due to have her second child in February. In her very little free time, she enjoys reading and watching British dramas.
See why we think Shalonda Carr is a Chambana mom to know — and learn how you might be able to help her students’ knitting project!
Q: What is loom knitting and why will you be teaching it to your students?
Loom knitting is the process of knitting with a loom instead of needles. You can make hats, scarves, socks and many other items you could knit with needles, but this is a little more kid-friendly way to introduce knitting, especially for students who have fine motor issues. There are many resources available on-line and in craft stores to get you started.
I will be teaching the class partially because I use to teach the fitness class, but with my due date only four months away, I decided to do something a little less strenuous. Also, knitting is a wonderful way to learn and reinforce traditional school subjects of math, reading, and history along with social emotional skills of showing perseverance and showing compassion (through the community outreach portion).
Q: How can Champaign-Urbana area moms get involved in your project?
Chambana moms can get involved by donating surplus yarn to the King School After School program (21st Century Learning) care of me: Shalonda Carr. If anyone has great resources or background information to share about knitting, or would like to be a guest to talk to the students about why she/he knits, that would be wonderful as well. (Carr can be contacted at scarr@usd116.org).
Q: How long have you been knitting and what is your favorite thing to knit (and do you have a favorite knit shop here)?
I have been knitting on and off for a few years, but really got serious about loom knitting about a year ago. My tolerance level for projects is a little short, but loom knitting takes the skill without the same amount of time. My favorite thing to knit are hats for family members using great yarn that is soft and has beautiful colors. I don’t personally have a favorite knitting shop, but enjoy going to all the craft and thrift shops to hunt for great yarn at a good price.
Q: What are your favorite — and least favorite — aspects of teaching?
As an ESL teacher, the best aspect of teaching is working with students who do not understand English or have varying understanding of content in English and seeing them connect and “get it” when it is a complex topic. As for the least favorite part, I do not love all the testing that is involved at various parts of the year. I mean, I do it because there is valid information that is gathered, but it seems to take away from my planning and teaching time.
Q: You are now pregnant with your second child, and your first is 6. How are things different/the same with your pregnancy this time?
The second pregnancy has definitely taken a toll physically on me more than the first. Working a full-time job and then finding time for my 6 year old is a bit more challenging. The first time around I was just in grad school and had more rest time, but this time, there seems to be no rest time. However, both of my children seem to be very active individuals in-utero so getting kicked all the time is very familiar.
Q: What are you most looking forward to with this new baby?
I am very excited to add to our family and my daughter is looking forward to being a big sister. I guess I am most excited to see how the siblings get along and love each other. I’m looking forward to having this new life in our lives and nursing the baby into a chubby toddler. Overall, I am very excited to share our growing family with my husband and daughter.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do with your family in C-U?
My favorite thing to do in C-U is to find great treasures in the community. I love going to the Farmer’s Market and bumping into the many people I have met over the years and also exploring downtown for its hidden surprises.
Nominate a mom or dad to know today — contact us!