Local teacher partners with seniors to bring history to life

There's a wealth of experience and knowledge living at Windsor Park retirement community in Carol Stream. Evan Jasper, a teacher at Wheaton Academy in West Chicago, wanted to tap that resource to better teach his students about history, life, and faith.

According to Jasper, the positive interactions between students and residents has been profound. "It's been one of my greatest joys as a teacher to see this partnership play out," he said. "I'm also personally encouraged and inspired by what the adults share at Windsor Park, to live my life more fully for Christ, and to love others more fully."

Since 2014, Jasper has partnered with a group of Windsor Park residents, who committed to meeting with students six times a year to discuss history and life experiences. Jasper would send residents questions the students would ask in advance to allow residents time to prepare responses.

"The residents of Windsor Park have incredible life stories. Many have a scholarly expertise in history, and many have a first-hand perspective of major events in modern history," said Andrew Clauson, Windsor Park's executive director. "The students of Wheaton Academy bring fresh curiosity and enthusiasm for learning that our residents love. It's great to see the Windsor Park residents and Academy students learning from one another."

Recently, students visited Windsor Park for a panel discussion with residents and for some final words of advice, including suggestions the students study the U.S. Constitution, cherish those individuals who have gone before them, understand history or know it will be repeated, help others do well, go to college, learn the value of good friendships, and take advantage of the opportunities presented to them.

"I thought it would be good to get a feeling of what people later in life think, and to listen to their advice," said high school sophomore Andrew Pratt. "I was surprised by the enjoyment of life they have, and their values of life are so great. I learned even when I'm older, I can still make a huge difference in the world and change the way people think."

For sophomore Jonathan Austriaco, the interaction changed his perception of the generations before him. "The people who have lived longer than me are full of wisdom and knowledge, so I like to refer to them as wise people, not old people," he explained.

Wheaton Academy student Paige Petty worked with resident Alice Huskey during the semester.

"I really liked learning about life lessons from the residents," Petty said. "Like to be still and know God is in control. It was nice to experience different views on topics. It's a very good class."

Sharing life experiences is all part of the program, and it is one reason Huskey enjoyed her time with the students.

"The small groups are nice, it's a chance to open them up and to start looking at things differently in life," she said.

The meetings were also a chance to have some fun - Windsor Park resident Wallace Alcorn learned to use a fidget spinner -- and learn more about their fellow residents.

"It was quite an honor to have a chance to present to the kids a different side of life than they have been exposed to," Windsor Park resident Jim Carr said. "And I was fascinated listening to my peers and their views."

This month, students returned to Windsor Park a final time to present a video they created for residents. In it, students reflected on the wisdom and advice shared by Windsor Park residents.

Jasper plans to partner with residents again for the 2017-18 school year.

To learn more about Windsor Park retirement community, call 877-836-5664 or visit www.WindsorParkIllinois.org or Facebook. To learn more about Wheaton Academy visit www.wheatonacademy.org/.

About Windsor Park

Windsor Park is a faith-based, continuing care retirement community located at 124 Windsor Park Dr., Carol Stream, Ill. It is administered by Covenant Retirement Communities (CRC), the nation's sixth largest, not-for-profit, senior services provider. CRC serves 5,000 residents at 15 retirement communities nationwide and is a ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church.