Meet your Cook County neighbor: Michael Zimmerman
Oct 23, 2023 07:05AM ● By Editor
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A Boreal Community Media Exclusive - October 21, 2023
Come learn more about your Cook County neighbor, Michael Zimmerman, who works as an Ojibwe educator for Cook County ISD 166.
What aspects of your job fill you with a sense of pride and accomplishment?
What I like the most is when it is evident someone has learned something they finally have been able to get answers for.
I don't really do much like I did when I was growing up. I will cook a variety of things on those occasions, then my spouse and I eat.
A Boreal Community Media Exclusive - October 21, 2023
Come learn more about your Cook County neighbor, Michael Zimmerman, who works as an Ojibwe educator for Cook County ISD 166.
How did you land in Cook County? How did your journey bring you here?
Ngi-gėkno'mëwak bémadzethêk é-wi Bodwéwadmimwat nëko shna ibë é-gi-thë-dayan Mskwasenik. (Potawatomi)
Jibwaa dash, ingii-gikinoo'amawaag bemaadizijig wii-Ojibwemowaad ako niizhwaaswaaki. Ingii-noondaan dash Gichi-onigamiwininiwag misawendamowaad wii-anoozhaawaad Anishinaabemowin gekinoo'amaagejin. Ingii gaganoozhaag idash Gichi-onigami wenaakonangig idash gii-anoonigooyaan. (Ojibwe)
I was teaching folks to speak Potawatomi in Wisconsin where I used to live. Before that I taught folks to speak Ojibwe for seven years. I had heard that Grand Portage was wanting to hire a language teacher. I talked with the decision makers and then was hired.
As an Ojibwe educator at Cook County Schools, would you tell us a little bit about your classes and your daily schedule?
Moozhag idash ningikinoo'amawaag gegaa-netaawigijig gaye aabitoo-wembigijig daso-giizhigoon idash naningodinong gikinoo'amawagwaa naananiwaad daso-gikinoo'amaaganag ako idash niizhtana-ashi-zhaangachiwaad. Aanind ningikinoo'amawaag niimidana daso diba'igaanensan gaye aanind ako ingo-diba'igaan ashi niizhtana diba'igaanensan. Gakina idash ningikinoo'amawaag wii-ojibwebii'igewaad, bizindamowaad weweni, gaye ojibwemowaad. (Ojibwe)
Usually then I teach high school and middle school students each day and sometimes there are only five students all the way up to twenty-nine students in class. Some I teach for forty minutes and some I teach for up to one hour and twenty minutes. All are taught to write in Ojibwe, carefully listen, and speak Ojibwe.
What aspects of your job fill you with a sense of pride and accomplishment?
Nimaamawi-minwendaan iw apii nisidawaabanjigaadeg awiiya gii-oshkinandagikendang gegoo idash bwaa-gikendang jibwaa nanaandomaad de-nakwetaagod gegaa-apii.(Ojibwe)
What I like the most is when it is evident someone has learned something they finally have been able to get answers for.
On your days off, how do you unwind and practice self-care? Is there a favorite spot in the County that you love to visit?
Moozhag idash nimbimaazhagaame miinawaa babaami-ayaayaan miziwegamigong. Moozhag idash ninitaa-inendaanan anooj apii babaami-ayaayaan gemaa wiidosemag niwiidigemaagan. (Ojibwe)
Usually then I walk the shoreline and travel all over the place. I usually do my best thinking when I'm traveling about or walking with my spouse.
Is there a family holiday tradition that you were raised with that you carry over into your adult life?
Gaawiin gwech nindoodanziinan gaa-izhitwaayaan apii ombigiyaan. Niwii-giizizaanan anooj miijiman igo eta iw apii, mii dash miijiyaang niin miinawaa niwiidigemaagan. (Ojibwe)
I don't really do much like I did when I was growing up. I will cook a variety of things on those occasions, then my spouse and I eat.
Lastly, what is your favorite season in Cook County and why?
Gaawiin mashi ningii-dazhiikesii ginwenzh omaa wii-inaakonamaan aandakiisewin idash maamawi-minwendamaan. Mii ge noongom izhise, inendamaan ge dagwaaging aabideg aatebagaag memindage wenji-minwaabaminaagwag iidog omaa. (Ojibwe)
I have not stayed here long to have decided which season is my favorite. As today comes to pass, I think the time of growth being cut short (autumn/fall) is definitely when the leaves are the brightest and thus specifically the reason this season might look best here.
