Jefferson Elementary School -

I grew up in the rural township of Hutsonville. I moved to the Charleston area in 2001, while I was attending Eastern Illinois University. I graduated from EIU with a Bachelors of Science degree, with a focus on marketing. Teaching was not first career choice. However, through years of different jobs and searching, teaching became my passion. I returned to EIU, and received my license to teach in 2014. I was fortune to be a part of the CUSD#1 team as soon as I graduated and I have been at Jefferson since 2015. Here at Jefferson I teach math, science, and social studies.

I currently reside in Charleston, with my beautiful wife & precocious son. I enjoy being out in nature, whether its hiking, boating, or camping. I love sports, particularly the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Eagles. I also enjoy cooking and spending time with my family.

I have always enjoyed learning new things, which sparks my desire to teach others. My goal, each year, is to engage our students to be active learners, for them to seek to understand, and apply their knowledge in order to achieve their own goals. I love that teaching offers so many possibilities, to so many individuals, in a variety of ways. Teaching is the one true unifier of people.

"Tell me & I forget. Teach me & I remember. Involve me & I learn." –Benjamin Franklin

While not a native of Charleston, I have lived in the area now for over a decade, and will always consider this community my home. I grew up on a small farmstead as an 4H kid. We lived about 30 minutes west of Springfield, home to many President Lincoln sites!
I was that kid who knew they wanted to be a teacher from the ripe old age of seven. I attended EIU and obtained my license to teach K-9, with special enhancements in Middle Level Math, Social Studies, and ELA. I’ve taught both 5th and 6th grades and really teaching in the upper elementary and middle school levels. Still a student today, I’m attending EIU again to earn an additional masters degree in education.
When I’m not at school, you might find me any occupied with one of my many interests, from historical home renovation on our 1910’s brick farmhouse, sewing and quilting, other art hobbies of all sorts from ceramics watercolor to woodworking, or spending time with my partner working on or driving my classic 1960’s Ford.
I am so very grateful to be teaching in Charleston CUSD #1. Watching students learn and grow as kind, respectful, and responsible people empowers me to be my best every day. 

My name is Mr. Clausen and I am excited to be teaching at Jefferson! I grew up in Clinton, Iowa and after graduating high school, I attended the University of Iowa to study Education. After earning my Bachelors Degree, I moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where I began my teaching career. I taught 4th grade for three years, and 6th grade for five years. I also met my wife in Arizona, who happens to be from Charleston. We have one son, Brooks. We also have a dog, Teddy. In my free time, I enjoy watching sports and playing golf. I am dedicated to teaching my students and I will always encourage them to be the best version of themselves. 

Welcome to 6th grade!  I grew up in Charleston and attended school here from kindergarten through 12th grade. After teaching at several schools in Illinois, I decided it was time to return to my roots here in Charleston!  I have taught 3rd through 6th grade and also have been a Title Math teacher. I am excited to teach at Jefferson in the classroom across the hall from the room where I went to 6th grade!

I have 4 children.  Jordan Philpott (who is a lieutenant here in town with the Charleston Fire Department), Cierra Philpott, Caden Daugherty and Evan Daugherty.  I have 5 grandsons: Chase, Bradley, and Logan Philpott and Liam and Layton Kruse. 

I enjoy reading, traveling, and spending time on the beach!  I currently reside in Charleston and am so happy to be back!  I’m looking forward to a great year in 6th grade!

I was born and raised in Charleston, IL and am a proud graduate of CHS. In 2020, I graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a degree in Theatre Arts. In 2022, after working for two years as a paraprofessional at Neoga Elementary School and earning my teaching license, I was thrilled to accept a position teaching sixth-grade ELA at JES. I have the unique privilege of working in the same building as my husband, Logan, who teaches music and choir. You can find me helping out or sitting in the audience at every concert.

I am a total English nerd and truly love what I teach (yes, even grammar rules and etymology). As a longtime performer and superfan of many books, musicals, TV shows, and films, stories hold a special place in my heart; they teach us so much about the world and about ourselves. I'm grateful to share amazing narratives with my students and to help them create their own.

When I'm not teaching, I'm usually spending time with family, seeing the latest Marvel movie, singing musical theatre hits, eating Mexican food, playing Dungeons and Dragons, or snuggling my adorable dogs, Odin and Freya.

I grew up in California and moved around a few times until I landed in Charleston where I consider "home". I strive to learn and grow with the Charleston schools and community!

Hello! After graduating from EIU, my husband and I decided to raise our family in this area. Previously, I spent half a year teaching 5th grade ELA in Tolono and 2 years teaching 4th grade in Mattoon. I am very excited to bring this experience to CUSD1!

I have been teaching gifted and talented in the Charleston CUSD1 since 2014. I have the privilege of working with students across multiple grade levels in all of the different buildings in the district.
I grew up in Findlay, Ohio, where I met my husband in my high school debate class. We are both graduates of Purdue University and have 3 adult children.
During my husband's 11 years of active duty in the US Navy, we lived in Nashville, TN, Portsmouth, VA, Jacksonville, NC, Orlando, FL, Chesapeake, VA, and Jacksonville, FL, before settling in Charleston in 2004.
After moving to Charleston, I completed a second bachelor degree at Eastern Illinois University in Elementary Education and simultaneously worked on a library media specialist endorsement through the graduate program at Indiana State University. I love learning!
All 3 of our children are graduates of Charleston High School. Our oldest daughter and her husband live in Durham, NC, where she is a nurse. Our other daughter and her husband live in Savannah, GA, and she is a marketing analyst. Our youngest son lives in Chicago and is a tax accountant.
We love to travel and have spent the past two summers enjoying destination weddings with our daughters in Greece and Yosemite.
In my free time, I sing and compete with a barbershop chorus and a quartet. I am also rarely seen anywhere without a book in hand.
My favorite teaching experiences are working with robotics with students to prepare for the talent show at the end of the year, having guest speakers come to our classroom to teach us 3D printing and computer coding, working with Judge Bower to prepare a mock trial that we present at the court house, having guest instructors for language arts and math problem solving, having EIU student guests come and teach us Social Sciences subjects, and learning so many new things from my students as they research and present projects for our annual GATE Showcase.

I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. Upon graduating high school, I came to Charleston, Illinois to attend Eastern Illinois University for my Bachelors in Special Education and Art Education. I have also received my Masters in Special Education from EIU. I started in the Charleston School District in January of 2019 as a Special Education teacher and have been here ever since. I live in Charleston with my husband, son and dog. I enjoy soccer and bowling. I am also a huge coffee and dog lover.

My name is Becky Hayes and I have had the privilege of being part of the Jefferson Elementary community since the 2017-2018 school year, after spending 15 years at alternative schools. Jefferson Elementary has given me the opportunity to expand my skills and grow right along with the students. I have 2 adult children and 2 grandchildren. I love helping and watching my students learn and grow into young adults. Thank you for sharing your child with me.

Hello! My name is Michelle King, and this is my 2nd year as a LBS 1 teacher at Jefferson Elementary. I have received my bachelor's degree and master's from EIU. This year will be my 12th year teaching special education and my 2nd year in the Charleston school district. I am looking forward to this new school year adventure and to continue to be able to work with some amazing staff and students.

Hello! Mrs. Shambo has been teaching Special Education at Jefferson Elementary School since 2016! She was born in Shelbyville IL, lived in Ashmore IL and has lived in Charleston since 2nd grade. Mrs. Shambo earned her bachelor's degree in early childhood and Standard Special Education in 2015. Mrs. Shambo lives in Charleston with her husband, and they have 2 children, Brayden- 26 and Madison-21. She enjoys spending time with friends, gardening, traveling and coffee! Feel free to contact Mrs. Shambo anytime!