Amy Lakin
Associate Professor
Brinkerhoff Home BR-205
217-525-1420 x3215
alakin@ben.edu
Thanks for visiting me! I'm Ms. Lakin (as in "bacon") and I've been teaching English at SCI since 1997.
I grew up in a very small town, Mt. Pulaski, Illinois (the home of Stahl's furniture and an Abraham Lincoln courthouse!). As a child, I read pretty much anything that I could get my hands on, so it was no surprise to anyone when I decided to become an English teacher.
I began my collegiate studies at Springfield College, graduating in 1992. I truly LOVED being a SCI student: the classes were small, the teachers were great, and my friends were fun. I was a student ambassador, the student editor of the monthly newsletter News and Views, and I was also member of Phi Theta Kappa.
After graduation, I transferred to Sangamon State University (now the University of Illinois at Springfield) where I earned both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in English. My career goal the entire time was to return to SCI to teach English.
In 1997, my son Jake was born and I began teaching part-time at SCI. In 2000, Jake's little sister, Julia, was born. Three years later, I became a single mom and a full-time instructor at SCI.
I teach English composition, reading, and literature classes. In addition to my teaching duties, I was also the chair of the Division of Languages and Literature and co-advisor to the Literary Club. I truly believe that God put me on this earth to teach. I can't imagine doing anything else!
Outside the classroom, I enjoy learning more about my students and their interests, spending time with my children, eating out (my favorite Springfield restaurants are Indigo, Soiree Bistro, and Smokey Bones), playing cut-throat UNO with faculty and staff, and traveling whenever possible. Some of the places I have traveled to include Boston, Orlando (Disney, Sea World, and Universal Studios), Miami, Ft. Lauderdale,Tampa, the Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, St. Thomas, and St. Martin. My "significant other" and I frequently travel to our favorite town, St. Louis.
