Announcements / Updates / Events
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Elementary (K-8) Houses
Teachers
Mr. Follman - JH History
Classes Teaching:
US History I (1492-1865), US History II (1865-Present), History Through Film, World History, Future Explorations, Geography, & Government
"I have been a teacher since 2019 at Astoria Junior High and I graduated from Western Illinois University in the same year. I have a passion for teaching history. I look at history as one big never-ending story with Action, Drama, Romance, Battles, and all the other fun things that make up a great story.
My favorite topics to teach are the American Civil War, World War 2, and Ancient Greece. " (2024-2025)
Mrs. Hollenback - JH Science & Reading/Language
Classes Teaching: 6-8 Science and 6th Grade Reading & Language
"After teaching 2nd grade here in Astoria for a decade, I got the chance of a lifetime! I get to teach SCIENCE for the better part of my day! I will still get to teach my STEAM Lab students on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and have room for the projects we will be working on. This new adventure I hope will be as exciting for my students as it is for me! As a newly minted empty nester, I am more apt to call these students my own!" (2024-2025)
Mrs. Gale - JH Special Education
Classes Teaching:
7th Grade Language, Math and Learning Lab
8th Grade Language, Math, and Learning Lab
6th-8th Grade Interventions
“This is the start of my 9th year teaching and I am starting on my 7th year here in Astoria. I currently have my bachelors from SIU Carbondale in Special Education as well as my masters degree from ISU in Special Education. I also have a certificate in Curriculum Adaptation. I chose to become a teacher to make an impact in students' lives and show them that they are capable of so much more than they even know!" (2025-2026)
Ms. Koopman- JH Math
Classes Teaching:
6-8 grade math and math intervention, 7th and 8th LAC/LA
"I am originally from Minnesota where I earned my Bachelors in Psychology and Head Coaching Certification from the University of Minnesota. I worked in a couple of housing non-profits and volunteered for ministries, but for the most part I was a stay at home mom for 13 years to my 5 kids. In 2019 I ventured back into the workforce and started teaching Drug and Alcohol Prevention classes to area Jr High students. I quickly fell in love with being in the classroom and wanted to be able to be in a school investing in students full time. I was able to get my teaching certification in Special Education from Blackburn College in 2021 and became endorsed in Middle School Math as well. I love teaching any and all SEL lessons. My favorite class to teach is 8th grade math, because the students gain confidence as they are able to see how all their hard work in 6th and 7th grade has helped them move through the material faster." (2025-2026)
Ms. Quigley - Art
Classes Teaching:
"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. Friedrich - JH PE / Health
Classes Teaching: 6-8 PE and 7th Grade Health
"Greetings! My name is Mandy Friedrich and I am currently in my twenty-four 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)