Chmielnicki, Abrams-Morley return to cherub program as instructors

By Danny Daly

Both Jesse Abrams-Morley and Jacqueline Chmielnicki were cherubs when they were 17. Like all cherubs, they covered the all-day story and the Evanston Fourth of July Parade, wrote a trend story and an editorial. In 2007, Abrams-Morley and Chmielnicki came back as first-year instructors to grade the same type of stories they wrote years ago.

“It brings back a lot of memories,” said Abrams-Morley, 24. “A lot of the work is still the same.”

“I’ve had the chance to relive my cherub experience from a different perspective,” said Chmielnicki, 23.

Having been a cherub, Abrams-Morley said he understands what the students are going through as they frantically try to meet deadlines or get sources for their stories.

“I have an appreciation for what it’s like,” he said.

Though he hadn’t done much writing in the past year, Abrams-Morley’s love of teaching has made his time as an instructor memorable.

“I love working with the kids, other instructors and CAs,” he said.

Chmielnicki has been a little surprised by her role as an instructor this summer.

“I was not entirely sure what to expect,” she said. “I knew my specific duties, but I didn’t realize how close the instructors get.”

She has enjoyed her experience as a first-time instructor.

“It’s been exactly how I envisioned it—even better,” Chmielnicki said.

The cherubs have benefited from having Abrams-Morley and Chmielnicki guide them. Ally Bain, a cherub from Vernon Hills, Ill., and student of Chmielnicki’s, has especially liked that her instructor had never taught at the program before.

“I liked having a first-year instructor because I learned along with her and was less intimidated,” Bain said. “She was a really good grader and brought a different aspect because she was in business for a while.”

Eric Mayo, a student from New York City, said Abrams-Morley was a great teacher because he was once a cherub, too.

“He was in the program before so he knew the role of an instructor,” Mayo said. “He could relate to us better.”

For Abrams-Morley, seeing cherubs improve during the five-week program has been his favorite part of being an instructor.

“It’s really gratifying when you see someone who started at one point and ended at another and know you had a small part in that,” he said.

Chmielnicki said working with the other instructors and getting to know the students has been the best part of her experience.

“Not only am I teaching, but I’m learning as well,” she said.

Plus, as an instructor, “You have more privileges,” she said. “Like not having to check in and not crossing on the crosswalk.”