Important News
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House Cup Winner!!
2024
3-5 Lunch Policy
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 an extra entrée as long as they have money in their lunch account.
Elementary (K-8) Houses
Pre-K
Teacher - Mrs. McCombs
"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!" (2024-2025)
Paraprofessionals: Natasha Stambaugh & Wendy Danner
Kindergarten
Teacher - Mrs. Bollinger
"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." (2024-2025)
Paraprofessional: Misty Trone
First Grade
Teacher - Mrs. Merrick
"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." (2024-2025)
Paraprofessional: LeAnn Vincent
Second Grade
Teacher - Mrs. McCombs
"My name is Natalie McCombs. I am a 2011 graduate of Astoria High School. This is my 5th year teaching at Astoria Elementary. Before I started teaching, I was a paraprofessional here at Astoria. I was a paraprofessional for many, many years. I went through the grade school, and back again. When I finished my teaching program, I landed in 2nd grade. My favorite spot! I’m a lover of animals and plants. You can find me rescuing animals or crocheting a new project. I am so thankful to work in my hometown of Astoria!" (2025-2026)
Paraprofessional: Kelly Davis
Third Grade
Teacher - Mrs. Kelly
"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!" (2024-2025)
Paraprofessional: Megan Trone
Fourth Grade
Teacher - Mr. Hanneman
“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!” (2023-2024)
Paraprofessional - Kynlee Stambaugh 1:1
Fourth Grade
Teacher - Ms. Boehme
Bio
Coming
Soon!
Paraprofessional - Colbi Osborne
Fifth Grade
Teacher - Mrs. Miller
"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." (2024-2025)
Paraprofessional-Melinda DeWees
Fifth Grade
Teacher - Ms. Heaton
Bio
Coming
Soon!
Paraprofessional-Dagain Reneau
Teachers
Ms. Quigley - Art
"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 8th 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!" (2025-2026)
Mr. Otto - Music
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 second year teaching at Astoria Schools, and I'm very happy to be a part of this community. I look forward to sharing the love I have for music with the next generations." (2025-2026)
Mrs. Yazvec - Physical Education
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." (2025-2026)
Mrs. Friedrich - K-12 Physical Education
"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." (2024-2025)
Mrs. Schenk - Title I
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. (2025-2026)
Mrs. Stutsman - Title I
“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 Master’s degree from Eastern Illinois University. I am currently in my 17th year of teaching. I’ve taught kindergarten, Jr. High science, and fourth grade. I am married to Jeremy, have a daughter in college, and a chocolate lab named Scout. I truly enjoy watching my students grow and succeed and being able to encourage them along the way is the absolute best!” (2025-2026)
Mrs. Havens - Speech and Language Therapy
"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!" (2024-2025)
Special Education
Ms. Seitz - Elementary Special Education
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!" (2023-2024)
Mrs. Cameron - Interventionist/Elementary Special Education
Covering Grades Pre-K - 5th
Bio
Coming
Soon!
Mrs. Wherley - Elementary Special Education / Math Interventionist
Covering Grades Pre-K - 5th
"Now in my eighth year at Astoria High School, I am passionate about supporting students as they grow into independent, confident adults. I hold Bachelor of Science degrees in both Biology and Psychology, along with a Master’s in Secondary Education. My Learning Behavioral Specialist I endorsement enables me to meet the diverse needs of all learners in my classroom. In addition to teaching high school science, I work with elementary special education and serve as an elementary math interventionist for part of my day. These roles allow me to support students at various stages of their educational journey and to help them build strong foundations for future success." (2025-2026)