Meet-a-Mom, Francesca Franz
What’s your favorite family activity in the Hinsdale, Western Springs, La Grange, Clarendon Hills Area?
We love to take family walks around Clarendon Hills and go to the park to meet friends. We also plan small outdoor get togethers with our family and friends in the area. This would have been our first summer to really engage in local family activities, but not much is going on.
How many children do you have and what are their age(s)?
I have one darling daughter Sofia, and she is one.
How long have you lived in the Hinsdale/WS/La Grange/CH Area? What made you decide to live here?
I spent my whole childhood and teenage years growing up in Hinsdale. We moved to Clarendon Hills a little over a year ago after living in the city (Lincoln Park/Old Town) for over 13 years! We loved the city, but ultimately, we wanted to be closer to family. My parents still live in Hinsdale and my sister, nieces, and nephew live in Western Springs. I absolutely love Clarendon Hills-the size, the quiet, the people! I could go on and on.
Where’s your favorite place to eat and/or shop in the Hinsdale/WS/La Grange/CH Area?
My favorite place to eat in the area is Dolce in Westmont. Their food is seriously delicious, and I’m picky about Italian! My favorite store is Vintage Charm, and I love each location for different reasons. I go to the Clarendon Hills location when I am in a pinch for a last-minute gift or just feel like browsing. I go to Lagrange and Hinsdale when I want to do some serious shopping.
What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I have a fair amount of type A personality traits even though I seem laid back.
Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
I have been so fortunate to have such a wonderful support system, and there are many people I should thank. I’d love to thank my mom (my greatest support, I can’t thank her enough for all she’s done), my sister, my girlfriends, former co-workers, and my mother-in-law. I’d be lost without such special women in my life.
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
I recently resigned from my special education teaching career of nine years to start a small at home tutoring venture. I wanted to create an opportunity to spend more time with my daughter, while also doing what I love-teaching and working with children! The name of my website is LemonadeLearnersTutoring.com. I came up with the name Lemonade Learners from my experiences with teaching. One of my greatest teaching strengths is getting struggling learners to love and be enthusiastic about school. I turn lemons into lemonade, so-to-speak, regarding learning and attitudes toward education. I am also in the process of creating an Instagram account that provides learning strategies to help young learners.
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
I went into teaching because I loved my Hinsdale teachers so much. The education provided really encouraged a love for learning, and I wanted emulate that positive influence in a child’s life. I currently live across the street from one of my favorite high school teachers, and I was able to tell her that! Regarding my recent career shift, I received a lot of encouragement from my surrounding family, friends, and even neighbors, to follow my calling.