What is your name and job here at Niles North? I’m Karin Wick and I’m a Physical Education and Health teacher, primarily a Health teacher.

Have you taught at other schools before or only at North? McArthur Junior High was my first teaching job for 3 years, which was in Prospect Heights. I also took a leave of absence when my mom was sick and taught a few classes at Ball State University in Indiana.

What is your favorite song, show, game, and/or movie? I really do like that Anti-Hero song by Taylor Swift. I’ve been really loving Yellowstone, that’s my favorite show right now. I’ve always wanted to be a cowgirl and it’s based on a ranch in Wyoming; it’s for an older audience, I’ll be honest. I like card games but I think…Yahtzee is one of my favorites to play, like if we’re camping…I like Connect Four. I like a lot of movies…I don’t have an answer yet.

Do you have any pets or children? What are their names and/or ages? I have a 220-pound Great Dane named Henry and we just adopted a 4-year-old Newfoundland dog who I think is a mix. And then I have a daughter, Kennedy, who is gonna turn 2 here in March. 

What is your favorite memory and/or biggest accomplishment at North? We had a 30-win season here when I was coaching softball, here at North…that was pretty awesome, amazing, actually. I don’t think that’s ever happened here.

How would you describe your students, classroom, and the environment of it? This year, it’s been fun and kind. I actually feel like they’re a lot happier and feel more comfortable at school; I’m really enjoying this year at school. I’m not just saying this, but I really do like…my classes. They’re a really good mix of students.

Why did you choose to teach health, harassment, and self-defense? Why at North? Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) is a program that has been worldwide for a long time…I went to a conference…where I went to see a presentation on RAD, and when I heard the presentation…I was like, “We need to be doing this; this is so important.” Sexual assault…it’s far too prevalent and I think we need to address, kind of, the source of why it’s continuing but also empower people with some skills in case they’re ever in a situation that…they may help themselves or have some options if they were ever in a situation like that.

What do you find to be the most important thing you teach to your students? Probably RAD.

How do you think Niles North can become or already is an inviting, safe, etc place? Niles North already is a very kind and inviting place. I feel like…we’re allowed to express ourselves in any way we want in this building, and for the most part, feel safe and have acceptance. And a lot of high schools around their [the students’] area, everyone looks the same, dresses the same. I don’t see that here, I think that we’re just more open to accepting people for who they are. I think it’s been a blessing to work here.

What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen, experienced, or heard about at Niles North? There was a year where…we were just finishing the Growth and Development unit; the Sex Ed unit and I said, “Okay, any questions you want to ask Ms. Wick, stump the teacher,” kind of thing, “As long as it’s an appropriate question.” And someone raised their hand…and they asked “Can you get pregnant from oral sex?” And I said, “We’re starting the unit over.”

What do you want students of your class or classes to end the year with? What do you want

them to remember? I think they’re worth it and that they deserve to be in happy and healthy relationships. I’m not saying “Delay growing up,” but I am saying, “You can wait for certain things, ‘till you’re older and more mature.” That includes sex…I just want them to know their worth and that they deserve to have a happy and healthy life. And that a lot of things in Health, it’s second fiddle to a lot of the other classes, but you’re gonna come back and you’re gonna [remember] things that we have talked about and done in this class; it’s gonna be relevant at some point in your life if it isn’t already.