Name: Erin VanDeursen Grade Level: Kindergarten Years of Experience: 6 years Hometown: Mattoon, Illinois Favorite Singer: Carrie Underwood Favorite Movie: Beauty and the Beast Favorite Sports Team: Chicago Cubs Favorite color: Pink Favorite Subjects: Reading and Writing Over the past five years, my favorite memory is watching each of my students succeed and complete tasks/activities her/she once felt were too tricky or challenging. I love teaching because I have the opportunity to inspire kids and help them develop a passion for learning! What I want most for my students is for them to look forward to coming to school, knowing that they are cared about and excited to learn something new each day!
Name: Sara Dickens Grade Level: Kindergarten Years of experience: 24 Hometown: Sullivan, IL Education: University of Illinois Favorite band: Rascal Flatts Favorite movie: E.T. Favorite sports teams: Cubs Favorite color: Purple Favorite subject: Math Favorite teaching memory: I will never forget when we were learning about the heart. We were running in place for one minute to make our heart beat faster. When the minute was up, I told the kids to be really quiet and try to listen and feel their heartbeat. After a couple of seconds, one little boys blurts out in a panic, "Mrs. Boyer!! Mrs. Boyer!! I can't feel my heart!! I think it needs new batteries!!" I quickly helped him find his heartbeat, but on the inside I was laughing hysterically!!! Kids really do say the darndest things!!! I love teaching because... I absolutely LOVE watching kids grow, and change, and learn!!! I LOVE it when I see that light bulb turn on and they finally "get" something they have been working so hard on. I LOVE the confidence that beams from their smiles! I LOVE to help make a positive difference in their lives! (And I ESPECIALLY LOVE all of the HUGS I have received over the years....definitely one of my favorite parts of teaching Kindergarten!!) What I want most for my students is... to have SO MUCH FUN learning that they don't even know they are doing it!!! I want them to embrace a LOVE FOR LEARNING and to know that SCHOOL IS FUN!!!
Name: Jake Haegen
Grade Level/Subject: Kindergarten
Years of experience: 16
Hometown: Sullivan
Favorite band: 311
Favorite movie: Point Break
Favorite sports teams: St. Louis Cardinals and Fighting Illini
Favorite color: Green
Favorite subject: Science
Favorite teaching memory: I have several, but here are some of my favorites. I once explained a math problem to a kid and his face lit up like he understood! I said, “So, do you get it?” He said, “No, but your breath stinks!” Another time we were learning about the color white and a student seemed confused. So, I asked, “What color are my teeth?” She said, “Yellow!” And finally, my mother-in-law asked a student how they liked kindergarten. She said, “Mr. Haegen is a real good teacher, ain’t he?”
I love teaching because... I’m a kid at heart and kids like to have fun!
What I want most for my students is...to love to come to school!
Name: Joellen Mars
Grade: First
Years of experience: First year! (and super excited!)
Hometown: Shelbyville
favorite movie: Sweet Home Alabama
Favorite Sports team: STL Cardinals
Favorite color: teal blue or neon pink
Favorite subject: Reading
Favorite teaching memory: Although I'm new to this, my favorite memory from student teaching was seeing that lightbulb moment when a student finally got it! I also love hearing students say that I made them feel comfortable or excited to learn.
I love teaching because it truly makes an impact on the future. Seeing the excitement in kids' faces makes my heart happy. I teach because I love kids and I want to make a difference.
What I want most for my students is for them to feel loved and accepted. I want them to grow academically and socially. I hope to instill values in them and create memories that will stay with them forever.
Name: Cassie Becker Grade Level:1st Grade Years of experience: 4 years Hometown:Gibson City College: Eastern Illinois University Favorite band: The Beatles Favorite movie I watch with my kids: The Little Mermaid Favorite sports teams: Sullivan Redskins and The Cubs Favorite color: Pink and Teal Favorite subject: Math !!! Favorite School Supply: Post-its and Coffee Favorite teaching memory: Dunking at the Wizards Game I love teaching because... I love teaching because every student is different, every day is different, and every day there is a chance to learn something different. What I want most for my students is for my students to fall in love with learning and want to keep learning for the rest of their lives.
Name: Eudora Drollinger First Grade Years of Experience: 36 Hometown: Sullivan Alma Mater: Eastern Illinois University - Bachelor's Degree Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville - Master's Degree Favorite Concerts: Garth Brooks, Billy Joel, Michael W.Smith/Amy Grant Favorite Sports Teams: Fighting Illini, Chicago Cubs Favorite Colors: Blue, Lime Green Favorite Pizza Place: Monical's Favorite Vacations: Washington D.C., Canadian train trip, any National Park, beaches One of the reasons I love teaching is because I get to share to books, books, and more books with kids everyday. What I want most for my students is that they love school, have character, and are blessed with people in their lives that will always help them and support their educational journey! Teaching memory: When I went to interview for my first job, the man outside sweeping the sidewalks directed me to the principal's office. A few minutes later I discovered that man was the principal. The message I got was to be willing to jump in and do what needs to be done and to be respectful to everyone. That makes for a great school! On a lighter note: One afternoon at around 2:40, a parent arrived at my classroom door and said she was removing her child from our school to homeschool him. The next morning, around 8:20, that student walked into my classroom and said "I'm back!"
Name: Lauren Fultz Grade Level: 1st Years of experience: 6 Hometown: Lock Haven, PA Favorite band: Chevelle, Breaking Benjamin Favorite movie: Beauty and the Beast Favorite sports teams: Penn State, Steelers, or the underdogs. Favorite color: green Favorite subject: science Favorite teaching memory: It's hard to pick just one...My favorites are definitely the endless hugs and those times when students make connections with what we're learning: it really is as if you can see a lightbulb turn on above their heads!! I love teaching because...seeing students grow in so many ways, including in their learning, is very rewarding. What I want most for my students is...for them to be curious and always want to learn and make connections
Name: Leslie Auten Grade Level:2 Years of experience: 30 Hometown: Shelbyville, Illinois Favorite band: No favorite, but I enjoy listening to lots of artists. Favorite movie: the Harry Potter movies Favorite sports teams: Sullivan Redskins Favorite color: purple or navy blue Favorite subject:math and science Favorite teaching memory: There are too many memories to have just one! Everyday, I look forward to the smiles and accomplishments of my students. I love teaching because... I enjoy being around children with all of their enthusiasm to learn and I enjoy leading them to gain new knowledge. What I want most for my students is... to feel successful, proud, and have that eagerness to learn.
Name: Amber Saul Grade Level: 2nd grade Years of experience: 13 years Hometown: Oreana, IL Favorite band: Hmm.. I like to listen to any live music Favorite movie: Pretty Woman Favorite sports teams: St. Louis Cardinals Favorite color: Yellow Favorite subject: Math Favorite teaching memory: Too many to name just one! I love teaching because... everyday is different! What I want most for my students is... to feel loved each and every day in our classroom!
Name- Ashley Hussong Grade-2nd Years of Experience-14 years Hometown-Lovington Favorite Movie-Pitch Perfect and Elf Favorite Sports Team-Cubs Favorite Color-Blue Favorite Subject-Math Favorite Teaching Memory-I have so many teaching memories, but my favorite would have to be when we paper mache' pigs as we read Charlotte's Web. It is a long process that includes blowing up balloons, covering the balloons with 2 layers of paper mache', adding legs, painting the pig, hot glueing ears and tails on, and then naming each pig! It is a messy process that is so much fun!! I love teaching because everyday is a new adventure. I also get to spend my days with about 20 kids that look up to me, laugh at my corny jokes, hug me, and want to spend time with me!! What I want most for my students is for them to know that I truly care for them and want to see them succeed.
Melissa Haegen 2nd Grade 11 yrs in 2nd grade at SES Sullivan graduate Fav Band: 80s and 90s Monster Ballads Fav Movie: I can't pick just one but I love Breakfast Club and Dirty Dancing Fav Sports Team: St. Louis Cardinals Fav Color: all colors of the rainbow Fav Subject: I enjoy teaching reading Fav teaching Moment: I love when former students come back and share memories with me about times in 2nd grade. I love to see how they have grown and matured. It's a great reminder of why we do what we do and that each and every year is important to our students. What I want most for my students is to give them the confidence to be themselves. I want them to feel safe in my classroom and know that they always have a place here.
Name: Karen Harpster Third grade teacher Education: graduate of Eastern Illinois University, What I love most about teaching: teaching in Sullivan for my entire career and still loving what I do every day
Name: Jennifer Hobbs
Grade Level/Subject: 3rd Grade
Years of experience: 9
Hometown: Lincoln, IL
Favorite band: Dixie Chicks
Favorite movie: The Notebook
Favorite sports teams: Bears and Cubs
Favorite color: Purple
Favorite subject: Reading
Favorite teaching memory: "Mrs. Hobbs, I love that you love teaching us. I always know we are going to learn something new from you."
I love teaching because... the world is full of mysteries and opportunities, you just have to seek them out.
What I want most for my students is...to know they are more precious and valuable than gold...or Fortnite.
Name: Sheri McCain Grade Level: Third Grade Years of experience: 14 years Hometown: Sullivan College Attended: Lakeland and Eastern Illinois University. Favorite movie: Dirty Dancing Favorite sports teams: Cardinals, Patriots, Illini Favorite color: Red Favorite subject: Math Favorite teaching memory: Watching my first class graduate and receive their high school diplomas. I am always proud of all my students, and when they graduate I feel a sense of accomplishment knowing I had a very small hand in their educational success. I love teaching because I get to see students grow and succeed each and every day
Name: Allie Wright Grade Level: 3rd Years of experience: 2 College: Illinois State University Hometown: Mattoon, IL Favorite artist: Thomas Rhett Favorite movie: The Blind Side Favorite sports teams: Cardinals Favorite color: Black Favorite subject: Math Favorite teaching memory: I'm new to this, but I would say my favorite teaching memory was leaving the 3rd grade class that I student taught. Although it was extremely sad because I got so close to the students, getting to see them upset that I was leaving made me feel like I really left an impact on their lives. I love teaching because... of the relationships I can form with the children. It is amazing to watch them understand concepts and have those "light bulb" moments, but what I love most is getting to have nearly 30 eight year old friends. What I want most for my students is... not only growth and development while in my classroom, but also to feel loved and appreciated every day.
Name: Drew Campbell Grade Level: 4th grade Years of experience: 14 years Hometown: Oakland, IL Family: Haley, Tenley (6), Presley (4), and Khiry (2) Favorite band: Dave Matthews Band Favorite movie: Gladiator & Toy Story Favorite TV show: Game of Thrones Favorite sports teams: Indianapolis Colts, St Louis Cardinals, & Chicago Blackhawks Favorite color: Blue Favorite subject: Math Favorite teaching memory: My first year, on my first day, and with my first class. I'll never forget that day as I closed the door behind me with 22 pairs of eyeballs staring straight through me, while I nervously utter the words "Good morning, I'm Mr. Campbell your 4th grade teacher!" At that very moment, I'm not sure who was more terrified, the students or me! Needless to say, we all learned, laughed, and grew together! A snapshot I share with every class, every year! I love teaching because...I get to act like a kid! I get to be silly and goofy with the students, I get to eat lunch with them, or jump around the room when we need a brain break. But most of all, I get the privilege of watching them grow academically and mature into big, bad 5th graders! What I want most for my students is...growth, both in the classroom and outside of the classroom! I want them to become better readers and writers! I want them to explore and discover the joys of science and community! I want them to become confident and fluent with numbers! I want them to respect themselves and become more confident! I want them to be more considerate and thoughtful of others! I want them to challenge themselves to learn new things! I will provide them the resources, the support, and the avenues to find that growth! Let's GO!
Kurt Friese 4th Grade Experience: 9 years Hometown: Strasburg Favorite Band: 3 Doors Down Favorite Movie: Any of the Fast and Furious Movies Favorite Sports Teams: Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Eagles, Boston Celtics Favorite Color: Green Favorite Subject: Math I love teaching because everyday brings a new experience. What I want most for my students is that they want come to school and learn in my class.
Name: Nichole Hendry Grade Level: 4th Years of experience: 9 years Hometown: Palmdale, CA Hobby: coaching the SBD Swim Team Favorite music genre: 90's Alternative Favorite movie: Anything funny Favorite color: Purple Favorite subject: Social Studies Favorite teaching memory: I love reading aloud Historical Fiction and watching students realize the books they are so in love with are events from our US history. I love teaching because...I get to meet and positively influence so many unique students. What I want most for my students is...for them to be confident that they can achieve their dreams with hard work and a desire for success!
Name: Kay Lehman Grade Level: Fourth Years of experience: 14 Hometown: Mattoon, Illinois Favorite band: Eagles, Alabama, and Little Big Town Favorite movie: Gone with the Wind Favorite sports teams: Chicago Cubs!! Chicago Bears! Favorite color: purple and orange Favorite subject: Reading Favorite teaching memory: Every time a former student sends me a note or comes back to visit me and tells me how much they loved being in my class in the fourth grade and how being in my class made them want to come to school each day. I love teaching because... there is no better feeling than when you see that lightbulb go on in a child's head when they " get it ". Their "aha" moment! What I want most for my students is... to love coming to school, feel safe, have fun, and to learn and retain something new everyday that will help them later in life.
Parents of students in the following grades, please turn this information in as soon as possible. Parents of kindergarten, this information MUST be turned in before the 1st day of school:
KG: school physical, vaccinations, dental exam and vision exam
6th: school physical, vaccinations, dental exam
9th: school physical, vaccinations
12th: proof of second meningitis vaccinations if the first dose was before the 16th birthday
Sports physicals for any student in sports, cheerleader, band or singers