Julie Gesin is beginning her thirty-second year in education. Her career began in a small rural parochial school, followed by nearly two decades teaching first grade in a Title One school. She also taught in a self-contained classroom for students with behavioral needs and experienced an unforgettable year in kindergarten that began with a schoolwide technology shutdown caused by a ransomware attack and ended during a global pandemic. For the past five years, she has served as a Special Education teacher, continuing to support students with compassion and dedication. Her journey has taken her across five school districts in three different states, where she has embraced a wide variety of roles. No matter the setting or the challenge, her passion for education and the resilience it demands have remained strong. Although the work is never easy, it has always been deeply rewarding.

She currently lives in northern Illinois with her husband, Matt, their children, Brady and Emelia, and their two dogs, Oliver and Archie. Outside the classroom, she enjoys home improvement projects, crafting, and traveling, especially cruises.