Sullivan Elementary School

Name: Heather Wilson Grade Level: 5th Years of experience: 11 Hometown: Seneca Education: EIU Favorite band: Sugarland Favorite movie: The Holiday Favorite color: Purple Favorite subject: Social Studies Favorite teaching memory is having a student who disliked school and by the end of the year there was a complete change in attitude! I love teaching because everyday I learn something new from my students! What I want most for my students is to enjoy being a kid!

Name: Micah Heddins Grade Level: 5th grade Years of experience: 8 years Hometown: Sullivan Favorite band: I love all different styles of music and artists Favorite movie: Remember the Titans Favorite sports teams: Chicago Cubs and Green Bay Packers Favorite color: purple Favorite subject: math and science Favorite teaching memory: one year we had a student move to our district who didn't know English very well, all of our 5th graders jumped in and made them feel very welcome and taught them English even quicker than I could - I love how helpful and thoughtful our kids are! I love teaching because building caring relationships with students lasts a lifetime and helping students feel successful in their learning is so important - every single child is capable of succeeding and it's so rewarding to watch that process happen! What I want most for my students is love the process of learning, feel comfortable in their environment, and learn skills that will help them succeed in their future!

Name: Nichole Hendry Grade Level: 4th Years of experience: 8 years Hometown: Palmdale, CA Hobby: coaching the SBD Swim Team Favorite music genre: 90's Alternative Favorite movie: Anything funny Favorite color: Purple Favorite subject: Social Studies Favorite teaching memory: I love reading aloud Historical Fiction and watching students realize the books they are so in love with are events from our US history. I love teaching because...I get to meet and positively influence so many unique students. What I want most for my students is...for them to be confident that they can achieve their dreams with hard work and a desire for success!

Kurt Friese 4th Grade Experience: 8 years Hometown: Strasburg Favorite Band: 3 Doors Down Favorite Movie: Any of the Fast and Furious Movies Favorite Sports Teams: Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Eagles, Boston Celtics Favorite Color: Green Favorite Subject: Math I love teaching because everyday brings a new experience. What I want most for my students is that they want come to school and learn in my class.

Name: Drew Campbell Grade Level: 4th grade Years of experience: 13 years Hometown: Oakland, IL Family: Haley, Tenley (6), Presley (4), and Khiry (2) Favorite band: Dave Matthews Band Favorite movie: Gladiator & Toy Story Favorite TV show: Game of Thrones Favorite sports teams: Indianapolis Colts, St Louis Cardinals, & Chicago Blackhawks Favorite color: Blue Favorite subject: Math Favorite teaching memory: My first year, on my first day, and with my first class. I'll never forget that day as I closed the door behind me with 22 pairs of eyeballs staring straight through me, while I nervously utter the words "Good morning, I'm Mr. Campbell your 4th grade teacher!" At that very moment, I'm not sure who was more terrified, the students or me! Needless to say, we all learned, laughed, and grew together! A snapshot I share with every class, every year! I love teaching because...I get to act like a kid! I get to be silly and goofy with the students, I get to eat lunch with them, or jump around the room when we need a brain break. But most of all, I get the privilege of watching them grow academically and mature into big, bad 5th graders! What I want most for my students is...growth, both in the classroom and outside of the classroom! I want them to become better readers and writers! I want them to explore and discover the joys of science and community! I want them to become confident and fluent with numbers! I want them to respect themselves and become more confident! I want them to be more considerate and thoughtful of others! I want them to challenge themselves to learn new things! I will provide them the resources, the support, and the avenues to find that growth! Let's GO!

Name: Amber Saul Grade Level: 3rd grade Years of experience: 12 years Hometown: Oreana, IL Favorite band: Hmm.. I like to listen to any live music Favorite movie: Pretty Woman Favorite sports teams: St. Louis Cardinals Favorite color: Yellow Favorite subject: Math Favorite teaching memory: Too many to name just one! I love teaching because... everyday is different! What I want most for my students is... to feel loved each and every day in our classroom!

Name: Sheri McCain Grade Level: Third Grade Years of experience: 13 years Hometown: Sullivan College Attended: Lakeland and Eastern Illinois University. Favorite movie: Dirty Dancing Favorite sports teams: Cardinals, Patriots, Illini Favorite color: Red Favorite subject: Math Favorite teaching memory: Watching my first class graduate and receive their high school diplomas. I am always proud of all my students, and when they graduate I feel a sense of accomplishment knowing I had a very small hand in their educational success. I love teaching because I get to see students grow and succeed each and every day

Name: Karen Harpster Third grade teacher Education: graduate of Eastern Illinois University, What I love most about teaching: teaching in Sullivan for my entire career and still loving what I do every day

Name- Ashley Hussong Grade-2nd Years of Experience-13 years Hometown-Lovington Favorite Movie-Pitch Perfect and Elf Favorite Sports Team-Cubs Favorite Color-Blue Favorite Subject-Math Favorite Teaching Memory-I have so many teaching memories, but my favorite would have to be when we paper mache' pigs as we read Charlotte's Web. It is a long process that includes blowing up balloons, covering the balloons with 2 layers of paper mache', adding legs, painting the pig, hot glueing ears and tails on, and then naming each pig! It is a messy process that is so much fun!! I love teaching because everyday is a new adventure. I also get to spend my days with about 20 kids that look up to me, laugh at my corny jokes, hug me, and want to spend time with me!! What I want most for my students is for them to know that I truly care for them and want to see them succeed.

Melissa Haegen 2nd Grade 10 yrs in 2nd grade at SES Sullivan graduate Fav Band: 80s and 90s Monster Ballads Fav Movie: I can't pick just one but I love Breakfast Club and Dirty Dancing Fav Sports Team: St. Louis Cardinals Fav Color: all colors of the rainbow Fav Subject: I enjoy teaching reading Fav teaching Moment: I love when former students come back and share memories with me about times in 2nd grade. I love to see how they have grown and matured. It's a great reminder of why we do what we do and that each and every year is important to our students. What I want most for my students is to give them the confidence to be themselves. I want them to feel safe in my classroom and know that they always have a place here.

Name: Leslie Auten Grade Level:2 Years of experience:29 Hometown: Shelbyville, Illinois Favorite band: No favorite, but I enjoy listening to lots of artists. Favorite movie: the Harry Potter movies Favorite sports teams: Sullivan Redskins Favorite color: purple or navy blue Favorite subject:math and science Favorite teaching memory: There are too many memories to have just one! Everyday, I look forward to the smiles and accomplishments of my students. I love teaching because... I enjoy being around children with all of their enthusiasm to learn and I enjoy leading them to gain new knowledge. What I want most for my students is... to feel successful, proud, and have that eagerness to learn.

Here is Mrs. Wilson's new classroom. Flexible seating has been linked to improved academic performance and classroom environment.

Name: Sara Boyer Grade Level: Kindergarten Years of experience: 23 Hometown: Sullivan, IL Education: University of Illinois Favorite band: Rascal Flatts Favorite movie: E.T. Favorite sports teams: Cubs Favorite color: Purple Favorite subject: Math Favorite teaching memory: I will never forget when we were learning about the heart. We were running in place for one minute to make our heart beat faster. When the minute was up, I told the kids to be really quiet and try to listen and feel their heartbeat. After a couple of seconds, one little boys blurts out in a panic, "Mrs. Boyer!! Mrs. Boyer!! I can't feel my heart!! I think it needs new batteries!!" I quickly helped him find his heartbeat, but on the inside I was laughing hysterically!!! Kids really do say the darndest things!!! I love teaching because... I absolutely LOVE watching kids grow, and change, and learn!!! I LOVE it when I see that light bulb turn on and they finally "get" something they have been working so hard on. I LOVE the confidence that beams from their smiles! I LOVE to help make a positive difference in their lives! (And I ESPECIALLY LOVE all of the HUGS I have received over the years....definitely one of my favorite parts of teaching Kindergarten!!) What I want most for my students is... to have SO MUCH FUN learning that they don't even know they are doing it!!! I want them to embrace a LOVE FOR LEARNING and to know that SCHOOL IS FUN!!!

Name: Lauren Fultz Grade Level: 1st Years of experience: 5 Hometown: Lock Haven, PA Favorite band: Chevelle, Breaking Benjamin Favorite movie: Beauty and the Beast Favorite sports teams: Penn State, Steelers, or the underdogs. Favorite color: green Favorite subject: science Favorite teaching memory: It's hard to pick just one...My favorites are definitely the endless hugs and those times when students make connections with what we're learning: it really is as if you can see a lightbulb turn on above their heads!! I love teaching because...seeing students grow in so many ways, including in their learning, is very rewarding. What I want most for my students is...for them to be curious and always want to learn and make connections

Name: Eudora Drollinger First Grade Years of Experience: 35 Hometown: Sullivan Alma Mater: Eastern Illinois University - Bachelor's Degree Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville - Master's Degree Favorite Concerts: Garth Brooks, Billy Joel, Michael W.Smith/Amy Grant Favorite Sports Teams: Fighting Illini, Chicago Cubs Favorite Colors: Blue, Lime Green Favorite Pizza Place: Monical's Favorite Vacations: Washington D.C., Canadian train trip, any National Park, beaches One of the reasons I love teaching is because I get to share to books, books, and more books with kids everyday. What I want most for my students is that they love school, have character, and are blessed with people in their lives that will always help them and support their educational journey! Teaching memory: When I went to interview for my first job, the man outside sweeping the sidewalks directed me to the principal's office. A few minutes later I discovered that man was the principal. The message I got was to be willing to jump in and do what needs to be done and to be respectful to everyone. That makes for a great school! On a lighter note: One afternoon at around 2:40, a parent arrived at my classroom door and said she was removing her child from our school to homeschool him. The next morning, around 8:20, that student walked into my classroom and said "I'm back!"

Name: Cassie Becker Grade Level:1st Grade Years of experience:3 years Hometown:Gibson City College: Eastern Illinois University Favorite band: The Beatles Favorite movie I watch with my kids: The Little Mermaid Favorite sports teams: Sullivan Redskins and The Cubs Favorite color: Pink and Teal Favorite subject: Math !!! Favorite School Supply: Post-its and Coffee Favorite teaching memory: Dunking at the Wizards Game I love teaching because... I love teaching because every student is different, every day is different, and every day there is a chance to learn something different. What I want most for my students is for my students to fall in love with learning and want to keep learning for the rest of their lives.

Name: Sarah Atchison Grade Level: 1st Grade Years of experience: 2nd year teaching, 1st year teaching 1st College: Indiana State University Hometown: Sullivan, IL Favorite band: Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Sam Hunt, Chris Stapleton Favorite movie: Frozen Favorite sports teams: St. Louis Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys Favorite color: Purple Favorite subject: Reading/Music Favorite teaching memory: Mr. Moon (OV’s custodian) helped my class to bungee jump Barbie’s off of the roof! We had a blast! I love teaching because...I love building relationships with my students and their families! I also love seeing the growth that my students have and knowing that I was a part of that! What I want most for my students is... For them to develop I lifelong love for learning!

Name: Erin VanDeursen Grade Level: Kindergarten Years of Experience: 5 years Hometown: Mattoon, Illinois Favorite Singer: Carrie Underwood Favorite Movie: Beauty and the Beast Favorite Sports Team: Chicago Cubs Favorite color: Pink Favorite Subjects: Reading and Writing Over the past five years, my favorite memory is watching each of my students succeed and complete tasks/activities her/she once felt were too tricky or challenging. I love teaching because I have the opportunity to inspire kids and help them develop a passion for learning! What I want most for my students is for them to look forward to coming to school, knowing that they are cared about and excited to learn something new each day!

Name: Kelli Rarick Grade Level: Kindergarten Years of experience: 1.5 Hometown: Batavia, IL Favorite singer: Jack Johnson Favorite movie: Beauty and the Beast Favorite sports teams: Chicago Blackhawks Favorite color: Purple Favorite subject: Reading I am so excited to meet my kindergarteners and hope that each and every one of them will learn to love school! I sure hope my students are ready to have some fun this year!

Name: Cheryl Kramer Grade Level: Kindergarten Years of experience: 18 years Hometown: Shelbyville, IL Favorite band: Johnny and June Cash Favorite movie: To Kill A Mocking Bird Favorite sports teams: Illini Basketball Favorite color: red Favorite subject: English Favorite teaching memory: When one of my little darlings said, with a surprised look, "Hey, I finally CAN read!" I love teaching because...as a kindergarten teacher, I get hugs everyday! What I want most for my students is...to love coming to school everyday!