Astoria Junior High School

Classes Teaching:

6th Grade  US1 (1492-1865)

7th Grade  US2 (1865-Present)

7th Grade  Government

8th Grade  World History

"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. "

Classes Teaching: 6-8 Science and 6th Grade Reading & Language

"I currently teach 6-8 Science and 6th grade Reading and Language. I have been working at Astoria Junior High for seven years. This year I am the eighth grade class sponsor with Mrs. Hackman. I also started coaching junior high cross country this year. My degree is in elementary education from WIU with a concentration in Science, Language, and Social Science. I live on a farm in Macomb with my husband and four kids. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, cooking, gardening, and swing dancing."

Classes Teaching:

7th and 8th Grade Language Arts and LA Concepts

"I've been teaching for 9 years now and went to Augustana College. I become a teacher due to my desire to help people instead of sitting in a desk all day. I come from a family of readers, so my love of books makes me well-suited to teaching English and Language Arts."

Classes Teaching:

6th Grade English and Reading

7th Grade English, Reading, and Math

8th Grade English, Reading, and Math

"I have been a special education teacher for 6 years - 4 of which has been in Astoria Junior High. 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!"

Classes Teaching:

7th Grade Math, 8th Grade Math, Junior High Journalism

"I graduated cum laude from Eastern Illinois University in December of 1989, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Junior High Education. My fields of concentration are English and Math which means I am certified to teach grades six through twelve English and grades sixth through twelve math. Two weeks after graduating, I started my first teaching job at Havana. During my five and a half years working there, I taught sixth, seventh, and eighth grade reading and language arts, freshmen level honors language arts, junior level language arts, and junior level honors language arts. In addition, before starting as Astoria, I taught Algebra I at Routt Catholic in Jacksonville, worked for the Mason County truancy office, substitute taught, and worked for the "Mason County Democrat" as the bookkeeper. Although I earned straight A's my junior and senior years of high school and graduated with honors from college, I struggled in junior high and early high school. I decided to become a teacher when I saw how much my brother also struggled in school. I want to help students understand how to approach learning so that they can have an easier time than my brother and I had. I also want my students to see that they can be successful in school, even if they have to work a little harder than their peers."

Classes Teaching:

6th Grade Math & 8th Grade Language Arts

"This is my 11th year teaching in Astoria. I began teaching at Astoria in 2012. I taught special education in the elementary for nine years before becoming the special education director in 2020. I currently teach 6th-grade math and 8th-grade language arts. I received my bachelor's degree and K-9 certificate in 2011 from Greenville University. I decided quickly that special education was my passion and returned to Greenville University with my master's degree in special education. In 2020, I attended National Louis University and earned my certification as a special education director. I am so grateful for the opportunity to teach in a small school that allows me to explore my passions as both a special education director and a teacher."

Classes Teaching:

"My name is Christy Quigley, I attended Spoon River College and Western Illinois University for my degree in Art Education. I also loved science so much that I got an endorsement in it! I am currently in my 5th 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! As your kids get to know me they will learn that my favorite color is Blue (obviously, lol), I love all things Halloween, being called weird or goofy is a compliment in my class, I am in Fast house, and I despise glitter! I look forward to teaching you all and seeing each of your kids' unique creativity!"

Classes Teaching:

6th Music, 6-12th Grade Band and Choir

Mrs. Cooley received her bachelors degree in music education from Illinois State University in 2008. She attended graduate school at Wichita State University receiving her masters degree in oboe performance in 2011. This is Mrs. Cooley's 8th year teaching at Astoria and she has been teaching music for 13 years. Mrs. Cooley was inspired by her grade school band director to become a music teacher. She loves playing all sorts of band instruments and enjoys singing. When she is not at school she enjoys being at home with her family.

Classes Teaching: 6-8 PE and 7th Grade Health

"Greetings! My name is Mandy Friedrich and I am currently in my twenty-second 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."

Classes Teaching:

8th Grade Future Exploration

"Hi! My name is Sadie Dabney and I am the PreK-12 School Counselor here at Astoria Schools. This is my fourth year as the counselor here. Prior to earning my degree from Bradley University in counseling, I taught special education here for four years. I am also certified to teach Social Science, Science, and Language Arts in the junior high as well as self-contained elementary school classrooms. In my free time, you can find me with my two children, a good book, or adventuring outside with family. Please know that I am available to all students for post-secondary questions and exploration, class grades/GPA/class rank questions, state testing questions and results, and any personal or social-emotional items whether they be school related or not. My number one goal as the counselor is to be available to our students and as I often tell students, "I do not know what you do not tell me" so please do not hesitate to reach out via email or a phone call to the school!"