Know Your Neighbor: Cheryl Riordan, Social studies teacher

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Cheryl Riordan is in her first year of teaching seventh-grade social studies at Challand Middle School in Sterling, where she lives. She is the daughter of Kevin and Yvonne Riordan of Brookfield. On-the-job lesson: I've learned that you have to be able to think on your feet, change things up at a moment's notice, and be patient and flexible. Alma mater: Riverside Brookfield High School, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Philosophy: Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option. Oughta be a law: Teachers would make at least as much as doctors. (Hey, we put in the same hours.) Hearts: Run, read, bad reality television, scrapbooking, travel. This year I was the assistant coach for cross country at Sterling High School and I completed my first marathon, the Quad Cities Marathon. Darts: Rudeness, excuses for not doing homework, waking up early. Haunts: Challand, the gym, and my apartment. Occasionally, I will go to the library. On the weekends, I usually travel to visit family and friends. Hero: All teachers are my heroes because they are doing the most noble job of all - educating our youth to be productive citizens. First job: My first job was as a cashier at a small family-owned grocery store in my hometown. I made $6.15 an hour. It was kind of boring, but I liked it because they worked with my busy schedule. (I was in many sports and clubs.) First car: My first car was a tan 2001 Toyota Corolla. I got it when I was 20. Read this: I just finished reading "Dear John" by Nicholas Sparks. It was very sad - about a long-distance relationship between a soldier at war in Iraq and a girl in North Carolina. Phobias: Cheese and the sound of nails on cardboard. Guilty pleasures: Dairy Queen, chocolate, baths, bad reality TV. I'd like to meet: Barack Obama. In the dictionary next to: Perfectionist. I am a sucker for details, planning, and order, and I will spend whatever time it takes to make sure whatever I am doing is up to my high standards. Trading places: I would like to trade places with Nancy Pelosi to see what it would be like to be the first female Speaker of the House! Trading spaces: I would go to Greece because I've always wanted to visit there and I love Greek food! Best thing about Brookfield: My favorite thing about Brookfield is Canton's, a Chinese restaurant. Shout out: I would like to say hi to all of my students! Do you know someone who ought to be featured in Know Your Neighbors? Write to Phil Hartman at phartman@svnmail.com or call 800-798-4085, ext. 524.