Gaining Independence and Getting Creative: Take Five with Jasmine Murray

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 Jasmine Murray, a teacher and department chair of the cluster program at Simeon Career Academy in Chicago’s Chatham neighborhood. 

When Ms. Murray came to Simeon almost 15 years ago, she began in the English department. Simeon’s principal at the time, Sheldon House, was the person who first observed that Ms. Murray’s creativity and skills would be beneficial for students in the cluster program. At his encouragement, Ms. Murray became a special education teacher and quickly discovered that it was a perfect fit. 

All of Ms. Murray’s students learn in unique ways, which she sees as an exciting opportunity to get creative and continually explore new, innovative teaching practices. This ability to be creative and give back to her community, as well as the support she receives from the Simeon community, are what keep her coming back to the classroom year after year. Above all, Ms. Murray loves helping her students get excited to come to school each day and learn. 

Learn more about Ms. Murray below!

What are some of the most important skills that your class will be working on this semester?

My main goal is to help my students be as independent as possible, so we’re going to be applying functional life skills to everything we do. We do a lot of occupational preparation work in our class, and I even built a mini coffee shop in our classroom to give my students a hands-on opportunity to practice job skills! We’re working on money management and decision-making, and doing a lot of reading about current events and how they connect to history and our community.

What kind of environment are you trying to create in your classroom?

I want my students to feel empowered and like their voices are being heard. As a special education teacher, I have noticed that people sometimes think my students need more restrictions than they actually do. It’s important for me to have high standards for my students; I’ve noticed that this actually boosts their confidence because I’m showing them that I believe in them and what they can accomplish.

The support and resources I receive from my current principal, Tamarah Ellis, is the reason I am able to be so creative, innovative, and effective with my teaching practices. I want to thank her for supporting our classroom and the cluster program!

How would your students describe you?

They would probably say I have high expectations for them, and that we get to be creative during class. We're always using our imaginations, putting a twist on things and making them fun. 

Do you have any advice for educators who are early in their careers?

First, you have to be confident. Second, build partnerships with the parents. They know so much and are excited to help and invest in their child’s education. When you let them in, they will come! Also, staying up-to-date on current research and learning from my colleagues’ best practices has been incredibly important to me.

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

I’m a lifelong learner and am currently pursuing my doctorate in curriculum and instruction. Outside of school, I love doing DIY projects and going to thrift and vintage stores throughout the city to find cool, unique things for my classroom. I also like to check out new coffee and tea shops and go for a stroll down Michigan Avenue!