When Summer Fields was hired to help at a Chicago preschool during her freshman year of high school, she didn’t expect to find her career calling in the classroom.
“I did it at first just to have a job,” Fields said. “But after six months or so, I really started to enjoy it. I made connections with the kids and their families, and it became more than a job. During my junior year, my supervisor asked, ‘Did you ever think about becoming a teacher?’”
Up until then, Fields had planned to study psychology in college and become a therapist. But after leaving the preschool during her senior year of high school, Fields realized how much she missed the students.
“Because the school was in the inner city, I saw so many different kids from so many different kinds of households,” Fields said. “You never know what a child may be going through at home, and I just want to be a positive light.”
An incoming freshman, Fields will study early childhood education at Illinois State University. She carries with her four years of experience helping preschoolers prepare for grade school, and the rest of their lives.
“There have been so many kids who when they first come to preschool, they can’t share, they don’t want to be without their parents—it’s tough. But as they progress, they learn social skills and they gain independence.”
Summer Fields
“There have been so many kids who when they first come to preschool, they can’t share, they don’t want to be without their parents—it’s tough,” Fields said. “But as they progress, they learn social skills and they gain independence.”
Fields chose Illinois State because of the highly regarded College of Education along with the many resources available to help students through their college journey.
“That’s a big thing for me,” Fields said. “Hearing about all the different tutoring programs and the amount of help I can get was a deal maker. I’ve learned throughout high school that it’s OK to ask for help and you’re not alone.”
Fields credits her parents, Yolanda and Cy Fields ’87, M.S. ’90, for preparing her to succeed in college. Her dad, a two-time Redbird alum, is particularly proud to watch Fields follow in his footsteps at Illinois State.
“It’s cool having a similar experience,” Summer Fields said. “We’re able to connect on a different level because I’m having a similar college experience, and now it’s my turn.”
In addition to her classwork, Fields is eager to join various registered student organizations (RSOs), such as the Black Student Union. Her involvement on campus will continue a trend that started when she was a teenager.
At her church, Fields led Girls of Purpose, a group dedicated to connecting women through activities and service projects. She coordinated wellness classes, motivational panelists, cooking demonstrations, and art projects.
“Seeing our plan come to life was my favorite part because we wanted everything to flow perfectly,” Fields said. “The events always turned out pretty well, and more and more girls would attend each time, so it was definitely impactful.”
Fields also worked with the Sinai Urban Health Institute while in high school to learn about community health and advocacy. She and a group of students created their own research project focused on food inequality in their neighborhoods.
“People from different parts of the hospital watched our presentation to see our research and hear our own personal testimonies because all of us live in these communities, so we know some of the issues firsthand,” Fields said.
From working at the preschool, to leading Girls of Purpose, to helping research community health—a common theme throughout Fields’ journey to Illinois State has been her desire to give back. Her contributions were recognized by the committee that awarded her a Civic Engagement Scholarship in addition to a Legacy Scholarship.
“(Getting these scholarships) is a great motivator to keep going,” Fields said. “As I got closer to college starting and I continued to get scholarships, it felt really good knowing that there are people who are willing to help me through this.”
After Fields graduates, she plans to return to Chicago to become a preschool teacher, and eventually, operate her own preschool. She can already envision the colorful classrooms with comfortable beanbag chairs and the emotionally affirming, supportive environment that she’ll create for her students.
“I’m looking forward to furthering my education,” Fields said. “What I learn, I want to use it to help others.”
Read about all of the students featured in our “Newest Redbirds” series at News.IllinoisState.edu.
