I crossed Illinois' northern border to attend college. Despite being a Bears fan, the cheese state was good to me. I ate cheese curds, discovered Culver's frozen custard , learned the chicken dance, ate a supper club wedge salad, covered shifts during deer hunting season and reached a détente with Packer fans. Despite my cultural appropriations and assimilation, everywhere I went, I told people, “I’m from Chicago.”  There weren’t a lot of us from the city, but whenever I met

I expected a boring mid-week union meeting. Instead, I experienced a church service. I know you’re thinking, Joey Mac - why go to church on a Wednesday evening in mid-winter? It wasn't Ash Wednesday and The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe was on a Friday. The truth is, I felt the power of the holy spirit several times.   Recent Transitions The service (meeting) started with a remembrance of the dearly departed. Instead of "Rest in Peace," we said "Rest in Power ." The Lector

By Joey McDermott - “Your father is such a putz ,” a Yiddish phrase I learned from Ronald, a non-practicing Jew. Ronald was the only...

Kobe, KD and Steph all respected TA By Joey McDermott AKA Da Teacher It was the summer of 2004 and I was out with friends. A late night...

When did you know you were grown? As a high school teacher, teenagers often told me, “Who are you to tell me what I can't do? - I’m grown...

Dear Executive Board Member If you read my March  blog , “ They Can Ban Me...But They Can't Kill Union Democracy ! ”  I told you that...

As a CTU field rep, I once roused the ire of CTU President Karen Lewis. She questioned my tactics against an abusive principal. I knew I...

Recently I spoke to a college class about public education in Chicago. They were studying school closures, Ed Reform and charter schools....

By Joey McDermott - The Teacher aka Chicago Joe “You want ketchup? That’s 5 cents for two packets.”  A nickel in 1987 was like fifteen...

By Joey McDermott - The Teacher AKA Chicago Joe Milwaukee Avenue in Logan Square has always had great pizza!  Growing up I loved Father...

By Joey McDermott - The Teacher AKA Chicago Joe I rushed from my basement Chemistry class, knowing I had a long walk. I peeked out the...

"Grandma, you said we'd make cookies." "I told you, 'no cookies until you eat lunch.' Now go make a sandwich." "I already ate my lunch,"...

Within any struggle the powerful will target leaders, in hopes of crushing the entire movement. But the spirit of the People can't be...

In August The CST’s Natalie Moore proclaimed The Fugitive (1993) Chicago’s best movie. I beg to differ. The Fugitive is a classic, but...

“Revolution brewery?!...Re-vo-lution? There’s a restaurant called ‘Revolution’?  When did that happen?” My Mother asked incredulously...

What’s the difference between a farmer’s market and a flea market? Back in my day, the flea market was the spot to get a mix-tape. Bad...

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Blame me for being disappointed by CTU president Stacy Davis Gates. I hopelessly...

A few weeks ago I visited a beer garden in Logan Square. Parson’s has a laid back vibe, but mostly I like the hospitality because my son...

"Isn’t Mexico violent and dangerous?" asked Josefina, a Mexican American tourist about 75 years old. Our tour guide, Daniel, scoffed....

Dear Zora I see you. Motivated, determined and hungry. You play with heart on the softball field and basketball court. Your hair...