My Why - Dhurata Devija, Field 1st Grade Teacher

Born and raised in Albania, Dhurata Devija dreamed of coming to America to work as a teacher. Surrounded by a family of educators, she was inspired to make a difference in students’ lives, like her mother, who was an elementary school teacher. Before Devija was born, her mother volunteered to go to the North Side of Albania to teach girls who were not given the opportunity to attend school. Devija earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education at Eqerem Cabej University in Gjirokaster and taught in Albania for 12 years, but her dream to teach in America never left her.

At age 30, Devija won the Green Card Lottery when she was granted permission to come to the United States and pursue her American dream. “I came to the U.S. in 2002 with my husband and our six years old son. The United  States is a land of opportunity and my dream was to work as a teacher in America,” said Devija. Once in the states, however, she was unable to teach as she lacked the proper credentials and didn’t speak English. To earn money, she worked as a housekeeper at a hotel in downtown Chicago for a year and a half. Meanwhile, she was taking English at Truman College after work. In 2004, she volunteered with the Junior Achievement Program at Stewart Elementary School in Chicago. Then, in 2005, she started working at a daycare center and continued working there for 12 years. During that time, she took Early Childhood Education courses at Oakton Community College, then earned her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education in 2018 and her ESL Endorsement in 2021 from Northeastern University. In 2019, she started working as a substitute in our district. She has worked as a long-term substitute at Frost, Twain, Longfellow, Tarkington, and Field Elementary School. Devija shifted to a full-time teacher in our district and has been a wonderful educator for our youngest students. She was even a nominee for a 2015 Golden Apple Award.

She currently works at Field Elementary School as a first grade teacher in a general ed/sheltered classroom, which means that the majority of her students are English Language Learners. “I use a lot of visual aids, repetitions, hands-on learning and speak slowly. I approach each lesson with patience, understanding that my students need extra time to fully comprehend new concepts. Teaching ELLs while being an ELL myself gives me a unique understanding of the challenges my students face. I can relate to their experiences and provide support in a way that truly resonates with them. It also allows me to be a role model, showing them that language barriers can be overcome and that their own bilingualism is a valuable asset,” says Devija.  “I love making a difference in students’ lives and developing their love of learning while building their confidence,” she adds. 

Devija herself doesn’t give up easily. She is a very driven person who works hard towards the goals she has set for herself and puts her heart into everything she does. 

Outside of school, Devija likes to spend time with her husband and son while gardening and cooking. She travels when she can and recently discovered that she has several half-siblings back in Albania. “I look forward to developing relationships with these relatives and enjoying this new chapter in my life,” she said. Every day is a fresh start for Devija… and for her students who benefit from her instruction. A dream came true.