Get to Know a Patch Blogger: James Crandell

Age: 54

Family: Wife, Kerri Harris Crandell; daughters, Esther, 11, and Leah Grace, 13


Occupation: English I Honors and Expository Writing teacher at

Blogging for Darien Patch since: September

Blogs about: “I write about what’s happening in schools from a teacher’s perspective and make suggestions for ways we could improve public education.”

What made you decide to start blogging for Patch? “I’d been editing my teachers’ union newsletter for many years. When that ended, I felt that I still had lots to say about teaching and how schools could be better. I was also immensely impressed with the quality of reporting I’d been reading in Darien Patch.
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What do you do when you're not blogging? “Outside of teaching, I read, parent, walk my dog Seamus, workout, and listen to my wife.
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What is your favorite thing about Darien? “The quality of both the students and parents that reside in South’s attendance area. I’m constantly amazed at their courtesy, humor, and all-around decency.  Having taught close to 3,000 students at Hinsdale South, I couldn’t have asked for better people with whom to work.”

Read and others in Local Voices.

GET INVOLVED: Anyone interested in blogging for Darien Patch should contact Local Editor Lauren Williamson at lauren.williamson@patch.com.