Take Five with Ms. Brittny Bouye: Early Childhood Teacher at Suder Montessori Magnet School

Take Five is a series that highlights members of the CPS community who are going above and beyond for our students. 

All throughout the 2024–25 school year, we will be spotlighting our amazing CPS teachers! If you know a teacher who is making a difference, nominate them to be featured here.

First up is Ms. Brittny Bouye, an early childhood educator who is in her third year of teaching at Suder Montessori Magnet School on Chicago’s near west side. 

At Suder, Ms. Bouye teaches 3-year-olds, 4-year-olds, and kindergarteners in a mixed-grade classroom. She also enjoys coaching and mentoring Suder’s older students as a cheer and dance teacher. 

Being a teacher wasn’t always the plan for Ms. Bouye. As a kid, she wanted to be a fashion designer. As she got older, though, Ms.Bouye discovered that she had a gift for teaching others, beginning with her nieces and nephews. She is now known as a talented educator and a superb communicator within her school community. 

"Ms. Bouye's commitment to creating a fun and welcoming environment for our youngest learners is unmatched, and we are so grateful for her enthusiasm and energy," said Katie Michel, whose daughter has been in Ms. Bouye's class for multiple years. "She is a wonderful teacher, and I hope she knows how much she is appreciated."

Read more about Ms. Bouye below!

Suder is a Montessori school—what are the benefits of that type of learning environment for young children?

I like the Montessori philosophy, because you meet each child where they are. You’re not sitting there saying, “okay, everybody, turn to page three.” The instruction and flow of the day are much more individualized. This is very beneficial to young learners, because they get to learn by following their interests and passions.

What are the challenges and benefits of teaching multiple grades?

It can definitely be a challenge balancing the needs and requirements for different age groups. But there’s a huge benefit in having the same students for multiple years. They know me and I know them, and that consistency is a major bonus when it comes to learning. Also, the kids get to learn from each other. The pre-k students have role models, and the kindergarteners get to learn leadership skills. 

What do you love most about your work?

I love to see my students learn! There’s nothing like that moment when something clicks and they really get it. This is especially true for reading, which is my favorite subject to teach right now! 

What are the biggest lessons you hope students learn in your class?

I try to instill in them something my dad always told me: “The word quit should not be in your vocabulary!” In my classroom, we don’t quit, and we don’t give up! I also tell every student, “nobody else can be you. You are your own person!”

What do you like to do when you’re not teaching?

I still love fashion, which these days means shopping! I also have a love for dancing. I danced with a phenomenal group in Chicago called Redd’s Angelz Ent., and was able to perform at the Chicago Theatre as an opening act for many well-known artists. I am no longer dancing, but I still take classes in my free time for fun.