Astoria Junior High School

Classes Teaching:

US History I (1492-1865)

US History II (1865-Present)

History Through Film

World History

Future Explorations

"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

"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!"

Classes Teaching:

6th Grade English and Reading

7th Grade English & Reading

8th Grade English, Reading, and Math

JH Journalism

"I have been a special education teacher for 7 years - 5 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, 7th Grade Language Arts, 8th Grade Language Arts

"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 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. I worked in Rushville for 2 years as an Elementary Special Education teacher. I am excited to be back working with Jr. High students. I love all things Psychology and Mental/Emotional Health so I am really excited about our SEL curriculum in Astoria."

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 6th 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:

K -8th Music

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

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

"Hi! Mrs. Wesley here! This is my 16th year of teaching, and my 4th year at Astoria. I, myself, graduated from AHS in 1990.

I went on to graduate from SRC with my AA, and then onto SIU-C to graduate with a bachelor's in psychology in 1994. I went on to get a master's in educational psychology in 1998. I proceeded to begin working as a substitute teacher, and decided to go back to Illinois State University to get my teaching certificate and a master's in Special Education in 2002.

I have taught in Chicago, the south suburbs, and in Beardstown. I also spent 5 years working as a behavior specialist with adults with developmental disabilities. All of these adventures have conspired to bring me full circle, back to the place I started from, except now I get to go into the teachers' lounge!

In my spare time, I like to spend time with my family, read books, and drink coffee. I have a 6 year old daughter who goes to school here and is in first grade. My parents live just outside Summum, and it's great to have family so close by! I look forward to many years with my Astoria teaching family!"