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2024
Lunch Policy Update
To better serve our students, we will be allowing our 3-5 grade students to purchase an extra entrée on a daily basis, as long as they have money in their lunch account. All students are provided with free meals at Astoria Schools and will continue to enjoy this benefit through the 2025-26 school year. If you want the ability for your child to purchase an extra entrée at lunch, and they are in 3-5 grades, please send lunch money to the school. Grades 6-12 will continue as usual with the ability to purchase extra an entrée as long as they have money in their lunch account.
"I graduated for Western Illinois University with a Bachelor’s in Education for Early Childhood and an endorsement in Early Childhood Special Education. I’ve taught both kindergarten and first grade before. My goal as a teacher is to help the students find their love for learning and enjoy their time at school!"
Classroom Paraprofessionals: Natasha Stambaugh & Misty Trone
"I graduated from Olivet Nazarene University with a B.S. in Psychology and received my teaching certification from the University of Illinois Springfield. I taught first grade for one year and have enjoyed teaching kindergarten for the past 14 years. I love watching my students get excited about learning, and helping them experience success and reach their potential."
Classroom Paraprofessional: Melinda Dewees
"Western Illinois University is where my teaching adventure began with a degree in Elementary Education. I taught kindergarten for nine years before I started teaching at Astoria. Now, I am in my 12th year of teaching first grade and have loved every minute of it! Each year is a little different which makes it both fun and challenging when figuring out the needs of each group. I feel very fortunate to have such a great group of people to work with, both kids and adults alike."
Classroom Paraprofessional: LeAnn Vincent
"I graduated from Western Governors University in 2021 with a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education (1st-6th). I started my Associates degree at Spoon River College fresh out of High School. I worked as a Paraprofessional at Astoria Grade School for nearly 11 years. After graduating from Spoon River College, I took some time for my family before going back and getting my Teaching Certificate. I have 3 children at home, and 12 children in my classroom. Family is family, home or at school. I have worked through many grade levels as a paraprofessional in the Elementary. My first year teaching was in First grade, student teaching with Lisa Heaton. I am now teaching Second Grade, with some of my First graders from last year. This experience has been great! I get to see how far they have come since the beginning of the last year, using the skills that they were taught to be successful in Second Grade. I love teaching! I love watching my students light up with they learn new things! It's like a light bulb shining above their heads! I am thankful to work in my hometown and where the staff and administration are FANTASTIC!"
Paraprofession: Kelly Davis
"I graduated from Western Illinois University in spring 2016 with a degree in Elementary Education. I started my teaching journey here in Astoria in fall of 2016. I taught 1st grade for one year. This is my 9th year in 3rd grade! I love this age and their eagerness to learn. My hope is always that students leave my class with many new skills and ideas, but also know that I will be cheering them on for many years to come!"
Classroom Paraprofessional: Hannah Lane & Kynlee Stambaugh 1:1
“I began teaching in 2007 on an island in Southeast Alaska. My teaching journey has taken me places I never thought I would have an opportunity to see. In 2017, I relocated to Illinois. I’m excited to be teaching here, in Astoria! We are going to have an amazing year in second grade!”
Paraprofessional - Laurie Robertson
"After graduating from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a degree in elementary education, I spent my first three years of teaching at a small, private school where I taught K-3rd grades all in one classroom. I started teaching in Astoria in 2005 when I moved here to marry my husband, Josh. In Astoria, I taught kindergarten for four years, 3rd grade for two years, took a five year "semi-retirement" to stay home with my three boys, and now I'm in my ninth year of 5th grade -- which I've discovered is my teaching true love! I love helping my students develop the skills, tools, and knowledge that will help them as they carve their path in this world."
"My name is Christy Quigley, I attended Spoon River College and Western Illinois University for my degree in Art Education. I am currently in my 7th year of teaching where I have tried to become a teacher who is a safe place for kids to explore creativity and enjoy being themselves! I look forward to exploring the world of art with everyone and seeing each of your kids' unique creativity flourish!"
Classes Teaching: 9-12 Band-Choir
"Hello there! Your kids know me as Mr. Otto, but you can call me Ty. I went to high school in Havana just across the Illinois River and I'm a 2024 graduate of Monmouth College, where I received my bachelors in Music Education. This is my first year teaching, both at Astoria Schools and in general. I'm very happy to be a part of this community, and I hope to share the love for music I have with your kids."
Classes Teaching: 9-12 PE and Drivers Ed
"This is my 8th year teaching in Astoria. I graduated from Astoria High School and earned my Bachelors Degree from Western Illinois University. I am married and have two children. I am happy to be a part of the school and community I grew up in."
"Greetings! My name is Mandy Friedrich and I am currently in my twenty-fourth year of teaching. I have a Bachelor's from MacMurray College in Physical Education, and a Masters' from Walden University. I am married, have one son, and reside in Havana. I spent 15 years teaching middle school health in Jacksonville, IL at Turner Junior High, which later became Jacksonville Middle School. I love the atmosphere of Astoria and really enjoy the small school experience."
Mrs. Schenk is a home town girl. She is an alumni of the University of Illinois at Springfield (Go Prairie Stars!) and was a member of the first class of Capital Scholars Honors Students. She graduated with a degree in Visual Arts with an emphasis in Graphic Design and was also certified as an elementary education teacher. She began her career in first grade and spent five years there. Her heart sings among little people. If you know her, she's all reading - all the time - so her move to Title I was a perfect fit. She has made "The Reading Room" her home ever since! She's also been blessed with the most phenomenal team; your students either know and love them or will soon! During her years in education, Mrs. Schenk has become certified as a Reading Teacher, Reading Specialist, and a certified Orton Gillingham Dyslexia Tutor. She is a lover of learning, the science of reading, leveling the playing field for her students, all things sparkly, singing and music, the Ron Clark Academy, orange/McNeil house, her rambunctious blue heeler Apollo, and her husband- Troy. She loves what she does, who she does it with, and is honored to be an educator.
Classroom Paraprofessionals - Max Hopping
"I am really excited to be back in the classroom at Astoria! I received my degree in Elementary Education from Western Illinois University and my Masters degree from Eastern Illinois University. I am currently in my 16th year of teaching. I've spent time with kindergarteners, Jr. High students, and fourth graders! I'm married to Jeremy, have a daughter in college, and a new puppy named Scout.
I am really excited to be working with some great K-5 students this year! Watching them become successful and getting to encourage them along the way is the absolute best!"
Classroom Paraprofessionals - Max Hopping
Covering Grades Pre-K - 5th
"My name is Janee Seitz, and this is my 6th year of teaching. I graduated from West Central High School in 2012, and attended my local community college (Southeastern in Burlington, Iowa) where I graduated in 2014. I transferred to Western Illinois University (WIU), and I received my Learning Behavior Specialist I certification. I am now working toward being a "Kendore Certified Teacher," which I hope to accomplish this 2022/2023 school year (Kendore is Orton Gillingham based, and is a multi sensory approach to learning). I student taught in Astoria in the spring of 2018, and I loved it so much that I thought I would stick around! I officially started working here as an educator in the fall of 2018. This is my 5th year teaching grades Pre-K though 5th. I am in the Fast House (Fast or Last!), and I enjoy spending my free time tutoring and working at the best apple orchard in the state (Orchard Hill)! My absolute favorite things about working at Astoria are the wonderful students I teach, and the fabulous people I work with!"
"My name is Ms. Dean, and this is my 2nd full year as a school SLP. I am originally from the Hamilton/Warsaw, IL area. I attended both Undergrad and Grad School at Truman State University in Kirksville, MO. I met my fiancé at the end of graduate school, and moved to Lewistown, IL. Fast forward to now, and I am enjoying my first year here at Astoria and working with a great group of kiddos!"
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