Ilene Elias-Queen grew up in California before moving to Milwaukee with her family at 16. Her career began as a school sign language interpreter, working alongside a regular education teacher.
At one point, her principal asked why she wasn’t a teacher herself. With that, she soon attended Cardinal Stritch University to earn her teaching certification in elementary education and middle school English.
Elias-Queen did her student teaching at Bader Hillel Academy and quickly transitioned into a teaching position at Jewish Beginnings Lubavitch Preschool. While there, she received an unexpected phone call offering her a position as a teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing in Milwaukee Public Schools. She took the opportunity and continued to build her expertise by pursuing a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee master’s degree in exceptional education with an emphasis on students with hearing challenges and deafness and learning disabilities. Over the years, Elias-Queen has worked throughout Milwaukee, helping children and families navigate the challenges of being hard of hearing. “I even got to work with Birth to 3 in children’s homes and natural environments, which was the absolute love of my life!” she said, referring to the state’s early intervention special education program. “I was able to work with families and help parents, because parents really are their child’s first teacher.”
When that position ended, Elias-Queen returned to teaching in public schools. “It was difficult being Jewish and working in public schools. I couldn’t take all of my holidays off without being penalized,” she said. So, when the opportunity arose to fill a learning specialist position at Bader Hillel Academy, she was thrilled. “I chose to be in a Jewish environment,” she said. This year marks Elias-Queen’s third year back at Bader Hillel Academy. “The kids are wonderful, and I enjoy walking down the hall hearing the classes davening and learning. It’s a great fit.”
Elias-Queen teaches kindergarten through fourth grade, working with children of all abilities. While this is her third year at BHA, Elias-Queen has been working to make a difference through teaching for 30 years.
“When I stop learning, I’ll stop teaching,” she said. She’s always been a lifelong learner and is currently working on her dissertation to earn her doctorate in education. Asked what she loves most about teaching, she said: “The kids. They’re energetic, creative, and they keep me young. I love their energy!” She values the relationships she builds with her students and enjoys doing creative projects with them, she said. Elias-Queen also indicated she knows how important it is to meet kids where they are and show them you care. “You have to teach with compassion wherever you are,” she said.
Elias-Queen has four children and six grandchildren. She lives in Mequon with her husband, Kim, and her 91-year-old father. In her free time, she loves traveling with her husband, cooking, reading and attending the theater.
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MEET AN EDUCATOR
Writer Nicole Boico is the associate director of the Coalition for Jewish Learning of Milwaukee Jewish Federation. This regular feature, from the Coalition for Jewish Learning, is to celebrate local educators. To suggest someone for coverage, contact Boico at NicoleB@MilwaukeeJewish.org.
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