Randall Postiglione is driven by an old Albert Einstein quote that was more recently adopted by Will Smith: “If you’re not making someone’s life better, then you’re just wasting your time.” He is a former chef, CPS teacher, college math teacher, taught math for the trades at US Steel, and is now a self-described ‘math teacher at-large’ who works ‘on assignment.’
Before his teaching career began, Randall was a chef for Marriott Corporation and owned a restaurant. He entered the Teacher for Chicago Program in 1999 and began teaching shortly after. He was asked to teach mathematics when he was really more prepared to teach graphic arts. But alas, being a glass is half-full kind of guy; he adapted and brought his innate creativity and positivity to the classrooms in an effort to make a difference in a student’s life.
Fast-forward to 2020, Randall can still be found in a classroom working on short-term assignments. He finds these opportunities through his vast network of teaching colleagues, on websites, and even through former students. He teaches because he “loves to share knowledge, enjoys the challenge of getting kids to learn, and is fulfilled when he sees the confidence on a student’s face when they master a skill.”