MY WHY - Heather Renkar, Drama Teacher at Cooper

At first glance, sports and theater might seem worlds apart, but step onto a stage or a field, and the similarities become clear. Both demand precision, focus, and countless hours of practice, whether it’s nailing a line or perfecting a play. In sports, you read the field and your teammates; in theater, you read the stage and your cast. Coaches and directors guide the action, teammates and fellow actors respond in real time, and every move—whether on the ground or under the spotlight—matters. Both worlds thrive on connection, timing, and trust, proving that whether you’re scoring a goal or hitting a cue, the magic comes from working together and performing at your best when it counts most.\

So was the draw for Cooper Middle School drama teacher Heather Renkar. While in middle school, she participated in state track and field, soccer, cheerleading, choir, theater, and orchestra. She went on to earn her bachelor’s of fine arts from the University of Illinois and worked toward a career in theater while keeping odd side jobs. Though her theater career didn’t take off as planned, she found her niche in event planning at the House of Blues. As her family expanded, she looked for a more practical path that balanced work and home life by pursuing a career in education.

After earning her master’s degree in high school education at National Louis University, with an endorsement in special education, Renkar worked as a drama teacher and case manager for special needs students. When a position opened up at District 21 as a full-time drama teacher, she applied and accepted it without hesitation, and has been at the district for 13 years. As an exploratory drama teacher, Renkar has taught students to have new experiences and encourages them to build their confidence through mind, body and voice. “By using actor’s tools, students explore, express and create for themselves,” she states. One exercise she conducts is instructing students to create a superhero or supervillain and act it out. “These exercises help students in my class in many ways, especially those who are shy or are English language learners. They gradually come out of their shell to present, speak and listen. They are very brave and respond to others in a cohesive way,” she states. “I love seeing students grow and realize they can accomplish what they set out to do. Middle school can be challenging and the students in drama class get to see and experience growth in new things,” she adds.

Outside the classroom, she continues to nurture her love of the arts by attending plays, musicals, and concerts with her two daughters whenever she can. She is a 25-year season ticket holder at Steppenwolf and travels to Wisconsin each summer to attend the American Shakespeare Theatre. She believes that staying connected to live performance not only fuels her creativity, but also enriches the experiences she brings back to her students. When she isn’t in a theater seat, she’s exploring new hobbies in the kitchen, learning to cook, and diving into audiobooks that spark her imagination and broaden her perspective. Her passion for learning, creativity, and culture shines through in every part of her life—and she brings that same energy and inspiration to her students each day.