My Life, My Teaching: It starts with education at Illinois State

Alumni: Helen Louise Skinner Fairfield

Graduation Year:

'49

Major/Minor:

B.S. in Elementary

It Starts With Education

Helen Louise Skinner Fairfield earned a B.S.E. at ISNU in 1949. She had been valedictorian of Strawn in 1946 and married V.L. "Budd" Fairfield in 1947. From 1950 to 1953 she taught home economics. Two daughters were born in 1953 and in 1956. In 1962 the Fairfields moved to Bloomington where Helen's husband Budd (also an ISNU graduate) had accepted a high school teaching position. Helen became a 5th/6th grade teacher at Centennial School.

In 1969 Helen earned an M.S. in Reading, which became her passion in teaching children. In 1975 she took a newly created position as administrative coordinator, directing structured reading programs in all District 87 elementary schools. Helen received a supervisory certificate in 1979. Her rapport and sensitivity with teachers in eight buildings was a major factor in her success as administrator, a position she held until her retirement in 1988.

Helen passed away October 8, 2006. She was 78 years old.