About Ms. Kurtovic
Mrs. Kurtovic is currently teaching Language Arts and Social Studies to
7th grade. She received a Bachelor of Science degree
in Education from Loyola University of Chicago and a Master’s degree in
Curriculum and Instruction with ESL Endorsement from American College of
Education in Chicago. She has Language Arts and Social Studies
endorsements for Middle School.
Mrs. Kurtovic has been teaching in the Chicago Public School System for the past 18 years. After her student teaching experience in a 2nd grade classroom at a private school, she began her career as a Bosnian Bilingual teacher from 1996-1998. Since then, she taught grades third through eighth, though most of her experience is with Middle School students. Because of her passion for teaching reading, she pursued National Board Certification in 2008 in Language Arts.
Mrs. Kurtovic enjoys helping students develop into strong, enthusiastic readers and writers by gaining an appreciation for literature. She is very pleased to be a part of the Hayt family and is excited to help her students become college ready.
Mrs. Kurtovic has been teaching in the Chicago Public School System for the past 18 years. After her student teaching experience in a 2nd grade classroom at a private school, she began her career as a Bosnian Bilingual teacher from 1996-1998. Since then, she taught grades third through eighth, though most of her experience is with Middle School students. Because of her passion for teaching reading, she pursued National Board Certification in 2008 in Language Arts.
Mrs. Kurtovic enjoys helping students develop into strong, enthusiastic readers and writers by gaining an appreciation for literature. She is very pleased to be a part of the Hayt family and is excited to help her students become college ready.
About Ms. Smolen
This is Ms. Smolen's first year at Hayt Elementary teaching 7th grade Language Arts and Social Studies. She previously taught at Senn High School in Chicago and Riverside High School in Durham, North Carolina.
Ms. Smolen earned her Master of Education in Language, Literacy & Specialized Instruction from DePaul University, which means that she is K-12 Reading Specialist. She also graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor's in Journalism and from Northern Illinois University with a bachelor's in English.
Ms. Smolen is looking forward to sharing her love of reading, writing, questioning, and exploring with her students.
In her free time, Ms. Smolen enjoy hanging out her kids, riding bikes, gardening, reading, and watching her chickens play in the dirt.
Ms. Smolen earned her Master of Education in Language, Literacy & Specialized Instruction from DePaul University, which means that she is K-12 Reading Specialist. She also graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor's in Journalism and from Northern Illinois University with a bachelor's in English.
Ms. Smolen is looking forward to sharing her love of reading, writing, questioning, and exploring with her students.
In her free time, Ms. Smolen enjoy hanging out her kids, riding bikes, gardening, reading, and watching her chickens play in the dirt.