Our Stories

2019 Illinois Teacher of the Year: Susan Converse

Susan teaches special education for grades 9 through 12 at Edwardsville High School. The funny thing about Susan is she didn’t always know she wanted to be a teacher. She started out as a journalist – and after filling in for an education reporter and talking to excited students –…

Hero teacher subdues student gunman, saves lives

Math teacher Angela McQueen said she was focused on saving students’ lives when she subdued a student shooter inside the Mattoon High School cafeteria on Sept. 20, 2017. McQueen believes it was her strong faith in God and natural instincts that compelled her to take action when she saw a student…

Southwestern School District Education Support Professionals receive SCORE grant

Tasha McQuay, special ed van driver and Karen Jackson, a special ed van rider were awarded a $1,000 IEA SCORE grant this past December for the development of “sensory resource kits.” The pair work together transporting special education students to and from school. The Southwestern School District covers a large geographic…