Sullivan Elementary School

Name: Rikki Ray Grade Level: Elementary K-5 Years of experience: 22 years Hometown: Sullivan Favorite band: Aerosmith Favorite movie: Rocky Favorite sports teams: Cowboys Favorite color: Blue Favorite subject: Reading Favorite teaching memory: Starting a community-wide reading program at the suggestion of a student. I love teaching because... I get to make connections/relationships with kids of all ages. What I want most for my students is...to LOVE reading!

Name: Haley Seeley Grade Level: Early Childhood Years of experience: 17 years Hometown: Bethany, IL Favorite band: I love music! Too hard to choose just one! Favorite movie: Home Alone Favorite sports teams: U of I; St. Louis Cardinals; Chicago Bears Favorite color: Green Favorite subject: Reading and Social Studies Favorite teaching memory: I absolutely love seeing former students years after I have had them in class. I always want to hear how they are doing in school, how their families are doing, what they have been up to, etc. I love teaching because... I love spending time with kids! What I want most for my students is... to look back at their time in school and remember it as being one of the best parts of their lives.

Leslie Guyot Resource Teacher Grades 1-5 17 years of experience Graduate of Illinois State University and Eastern Illinois University Bethany, Illinois Green Day The Great Outdoors Chicago Bears Blue Reading I have so many teaching memories that I love. The smiles, hugs, and laughter from kids just being kids. I love teaching because of that "light" that students get when they finally figure out something that has been difficult to comprehend or grasp. They find comfort and joy in knowing that they can accomplish something that has been a challenge, and continue to work to overcome obstacles. I want my students to love school, to feel supported and safe at school, and to work hard to accomplish their goals so they may have a bright future.

Name: Christine Grohler Grade Level: K-5 Cross Categorical Special Ed. Years of experience: 27 Hometown: Sullivan Favorite Singer: Adele Favorite movie: Breakfast Club Favorite sports teams: Favorite color: Blue Favorite subject: Reading Favorite teaching memory: I love teaching because... I love children and I love helping others. What I want most for my students is...for them to love themselves.

Name: Ashlee Florey Grade Level: Resource K-2 Degree: Bachelors of Science from Eastern Illinois University Years of experience: 8 years Hometown: Sullivan Favorite band: NEEDTOBREATHE Favorite movie: Step Brothers Favorite sports teams: Dallas Cowboys Favorite color: Orange Favorite subject: Reading I love teaching because I enjoy building relationships with students, and seeing their progress!

Poppy Ann Graham School Social Worker Years of Experience: 21 Bachelors Degree: University of Illinois @ Urbana-Champaign Psychology, Liberal Arts, Sciences Certificate in Mental Health Workers Program Masters Degree: University of Illinois @ Urbana-Champaign. School Social Work Program Hometown: Humboldt, IL Favorite Band: The Monkees Favorite Movie: Mary Poppins Favorite Sports Team: Sullivan Blue Dolphins Favorite Color: Blue Favorite Subject: History Favorite Social Work Moment: Being the good in someone's life. I love school social work because I love kids! What I want most is to empower kids and families to make positive change.

Name: Cindy Yoder Grade Level: 5 Years of experience: 2 Hometown: Arthur Favorite Book: Harry Potter Favorite movie: Ferris Bueller's Day Off Favorite sports teams: St. Louis Cardinals Favorite color: Grey Favorite subject: Reading Favorite teaching memory: During my first year of teaching I learned something new from my students every day! I love teaching because... Everyday is an adventure! What I want most for my students is... I want my students to always be happy, confident, and kind, and to know how much everyone at SES cares for them.

Name: Allie Wright Grade Level: 5th Years of experience: First year teacher! 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 ten year old best 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: Heather Wilson Grade Level: 5th Years of experience: 11 Hometown: Seneca Education: EIU Favorite band: Sugarland Favorite movie: The Holiday Favorite color: Purple Favorite subject: Social Studies Favorite teaching memory is having a student who disliked school and by the end of the year there was a complete change in attitude! I love teaching because everyday I learn something new from my students! What I want most for my students is to enjoy being a kid!

Name: Micah Heddins Grade Level: 5th grade Years of experience: 8 years Hometown: Sullivan Favorite band: I love all different styles of music and artists Favorite movie: Remember the Titans Favorite sports teams: Chicago Cubs and Green Bay Packers Favorite color: purple Favorite subject: math and science Favorite teaching memory: one year we had a student move to our district who didn't know English very well, all of our 5th graders jumped in and made them feel very welcome and taught them English even quicker than I could - I love how helpful and thoughtful our kids are! I love teaching because building caring relationships with students lasts a lifetime and helping students feel successful in their learning is so important - every single child is capable of succeeding and it's so rewarding to watch that process happen! What I want most for my students is love the process of learning, feel comfortable in their environment, and learn skills that will help them succeed in their future!

Name: Nichole Hendry Grade Level: 4th Years of experience: 8 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!

Kurt Friese 4th Grade Experience: 8 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: Drew Campbell Grade Level: 4th grade Years of experience: 13 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!

Name: Amber Saul Grade Level: 3rd grade Years of experience: 12 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: Sheri McCain Grade Level: Third Grade Years of experience: 13 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: 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- Ashley Hussong Grade-2nd Years of Experience-13 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 10 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: Leslie Auten Grade Level:2 Years of experience:29 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.

Here is Mrs. Wilson's new classroom. Flexible seating has been linked to improved academic performance and classroom environment.