Area native finds a home teaching in Dominican Republic

A love of children has taken kindergarten teacher Angie Koleno all the way to the Dominican Republic.

Originally from Highland, Koleno has been teaching at Santiago Christian School in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, for the past two years.

"It's almost like the Dominican Republic chose me. I had been here on several mission trips prior to moving here, so it seems like everything I've done has led me here," she said.

Koleno received her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Purdue University Calumet, and later a master's degree in Child Development from the Erikson Institute in Chicago. She taught for 12 years in the United States and has been drawn to the profession since high school.

"I was in a program at Highland High School my senior year where we job-shadowed for one week," Koleno said. "I shadowed a preschool teacher. From then on, I never looked back."

Koleno teaches 10 kindergartners in all subjects, with a bilingual assistant from Honduras. Although she believes children are the same anywhere you go, she says it's quite different teaching in a Third World country.

"I have had millions of mosquitoes, three tarantulas and a cat-sized rat in my classroom. I have been through two hurricanes, countless earthquakes and three huelgas, which are closely related to strikes in America, just more violent," she explained.

But she said she still feels honored to work with her young students.

"I love my job. The Dominican culture is amazing. We really are a family school, with a wonderful support network," she said. "I am very privileged to work with an amazing staff, made up of both Dominicans and Americans."

February is Dominican Independence month, and the school will be celebrating with students representing different aspects of Dominican culture.

"And there will be fireworks at the end," Koleno said. "There are always fireworks."

In her free time, Koleno teaches with Highland native Beth Shimek. The two give free weekly English classes at their church for the surrounding community, helping to improve job options. The two also volunteer with the school's "Wyldlife" program for middle schoolers.

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