Barb Peterhansen of Norridge, a first grade teacher at Pennoyer School in Norridge who is retiring after 19 years, teaches a lesson on phenomic awareness to her students, including Amin Kadic and Logan Gabor. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media

Barb Peterhansen of Norridge, a first grade teacher at Pennoyer School in Norridge, gives Logan Gabor (left), Gianlucca DellaSantina and Janiah Fitzgerald-Romanzi paper to make puppets for their puppet show in class. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media

First grader Alexandra Shapkarov responds during a grammar lesson in class at Pennoyer School in Norridge. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media

Barb Peterhansen of Norridge, a first grade teacher at Pennoyer School in Norridge, hands out papers to her students during class. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media

Barb Peterhansen of Norridge, a first grade teacher at Pennoyer School in Norridge, listens to Anthony DeSimone (right) read during class.

First graders Jacob Chichon (left) and Anthony DeSimone read a play together at Pennoyer School in Norridge. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media

First grader Arek Gubala asks a questions during a grammar lesson at Pennoyer School in Norridge. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media

Barb Peterhansen of Norridge, a first grade teacher at Pennoyer School in Norridge, reads a grammar lesson with her students, including Logan Gabor and Ann DeSimone. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media

Barb Peterhansen of Norridge, a first grade teacher at Pennoyer School in Norridge, talks to Magdalena Knurek (left) with Rezeq Hattar and Kaya Jakowczuk (right) during class. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media

Barb Peterhansen of Norridge, a first grade teacher at Pennoyer School in Norridge, demonstrates where students will hold their puppet show. Students worked on making their puppets and reading their lines. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media

Barb Peterhansen of Norridge, a first grade teacher at Pennoyer School in Norridge, helps Magdalena Knurek (from left), Kaya Jakowczuk and Arek Gubala with a laptop. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media

Barb Peterhansen of Norridge, a first grade teacher at Pennoyer School in Norridge, listens to Gianlucca DellaSantina (right) read during class with Rezeq Hattar, Kaya Jakowczuk (top) and Magdalena Knurek. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media