Maggie Bagley, School Social Worker

Mrs. Maggie Bagley has a Master of Social Work from University of Illinois at Chicago. She was school Social Worker in Tinley Park Illinois from 2000-2005. She then worked as a private practice therapist from 2005 until 2020. Mrs. Bagley has experience working with students and adults with developmental disabilities as well as experience with helping students who have Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, Behavior Disorders, Autism, and Divorce/Blended Family/Adoption/Foster Care.

 In 2020, she joined the Central staff as the School Social Worker for both buildings. Mrs. Bagley is now the School Social Worker for Central Primary School. She works with students who have IEPs on social, emotional and behavioral skill development. She is also a part of the Special Education Evaluation team. 

When she is not working, Mrs. Bagley enjoys being outside, exercising, shopping and hanging out with her family. She loves watching her kids play sports and spends most weekends watching them play baseball, basketball, track and golf.

Angela Bauer, Early Childhood Education Teacher

Mrs. Angela Bauer has a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education with an endorsement in Special Education.  She previously taught kindergarten for 13 years. 

This is her first year teaching ECE in a blended classroom. 

Mrs. Bauer has lived in Washington for about 3 years and loves the community and school district. Her husband, Blake, is a teacher at WCHS and her two sons, Isaac and Levi, attend Central Primary School. In her free time, she loves spending time with family and taking vacations to Michigan and Disney World! 

Bridget Buysse, Speech Language Pathologist

Mrs. Bridget Buysse has a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Western Illinois University, a Certificate of Clinical Competence by American Speech-Language- Hearing Association and her Illinois Speech-Language Pathology License issued by IDFPR.

She has 15 years working in adult rehabilitative setting and 16+ years working at Central with children aged 3-15 years old.

In her free time, Mrs. Buysse enjoys baking, gardening and boating.

Ashley Cherry, School Social Worker

Mrs. Ashley Cherry attended Southern Illinois University-Carbondale for both her Bachelor's degree and Master's degree. She worked in Effingham for a few years as a school social worker before moving to Connecticut for her husband's job.

Mrs. Cherry is a social worker at Central Intermediate School. This is her third year at Central and second year as social worker.

When she is not at work, you can find her at her kid's sporting events!

Adam Collins, 7th Grade Resource Teacher

Mr. Adam Collin as a Master of Special Education, with 11 years of teaching experience. 

He is the 7th grade resource teacher at CIS.

His hobbies include  camping, board games, and playing music.

Sarah Cox, K-3 Autism Teacher

Mrs. Sarah Cox has a Master of Educational Administration from Bradley University. She also has a Director of Special Education Certificate from St. Francis University and has a LBSI (Learning Behavior Specialist 1) from Eastern Illinois University. This is her 10th year teaching. She has taught Resource, Cross Categorical, Autism, ED/BD, and Life Skills classrooms.  

In 2022, Mrs. Cox started a new program for students with autism at Central D51 to meet students needs here at Central rather than placing students out of district. Sarah enjoys working with students with special needs and uses various instructional techniques and technologies to cultivate connections and strong rapport with students to foster student engagement and progress.

Mrs. Cox and her husband, Josh, have one son. His name is Jarrod and he is 6 years old. They have an 8 year old black lab named Sadie. Sarah loves to knit, craft on her cricut, and play games. She is a hockey mom and wife. Her family loves the St. Louis Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, and the Washington Capitals.

Heidi Cornwell, Speech Language Pathologist

Mrs. Heidi Cornwell has a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Illinois State University, a Certificate of Clinical Competence by American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and her Illinois Speech-Language Pathology License issued by IDFPR.

She has enjoyed working in a school setting for more than 26 years with children aged 3-15 years old, and has been at Central for more than 19 years.  

Mrs. Cornwell enjoys hiking, gardening and fishing. 

Kyle Hamon, 4th-5th Resource Teacher

Mr. Kyle Hamon has a Bachelor's degree in Special Education and Elementary Education with an Art Minor from Eureka College.

He is a 4th and 5th grade resource teacher, helping students in math, reading and writing. He previously worked as a paraprofessional at Dunlap High School for 3 years. 

Mr. Hamon spends  weekends and evenings writing and performing music while his summers are spent writing and illustrating children's books!

Allison Malcom, K-3 Resource Teacher

Mrs. Allison Malcom graduated from Illinois State University in 2004 with an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education with a Special Education endorsement. In 2010 she received her administrative Master's degree (type 75) from Eastern Illinois University and in 2022, she graduated from Illinois State University with a Master's degree in Special Education.

Mrs. Malcom is a Resource teacher at  Central Primary School. She helps students with academics as well as executive functioning needs. 

She loves to go thrift store shopping. She enjoys finding deals for things in her classroom as well as re-selling gently used treasures. Her best find was a "bunch" of vintage glass grapes on driftwood that she bought at Good Will for $2.00. She was going to give them to a family member as a white elephant gift, but ended up selling them online to someone in California for $60!

Kaitlyn Masching, Early Childhood Teacher

Ms. Kaitlyn Masching graduated from Illinois State University in May 2022 with a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, letter of approval in Special Education and endorsement in ESL.

Ms. Masching teaches early childhood at Central Primary School. 

In her spare time she likes to read, bake, and go fishing!

Alayna Miller, School Psychologist

Mrs. Alayna Miller graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a degree in Speech and Hearing Science, originally planning on becoming a Speech Language Pathologist. She shifted course in graduate school and received her Specialist in School Psychology degree from Western Illinois University. This is her 7th year working in education. 

As the School Psychologist at Central, Alayna works with students, staff, and families at all levels including Early Childhood, Primary, and Intermediate. Her primary role is to serve as a member of the special education evaluation team, evaluating a student's academic and functional performance. She helps to build teams with determining supports that should be put in place for struggling learners, whether that be within the general education setting or through special education services. Ultimately, her goal is to make sure we are providing safe and supportive learning environments for ALL students. 

Outside of school, Mrs. Miller enjoys spending time with her family, cooking/baking, reading, exercising, and gardening (This is a new hobby and Alayna claims to VERY new to this and have lots to learn).

Elizabeth Miller, K-2 Cross Categorical Special Education Teacher

Mrs. Elizabeth Miller has Bachelor's degree and Master's degree from Illinois State University.

She is currently in her 19th year of teaching. She has taught K-2 Life Skills, K-1 Autism, K-2 Resource,4-8 Life Skills and  4-8 Instructional. She also taught in Peoria County for 12 years. 

Mrs. Miller is married with two kids (Hannah, 14 & Charlie 10). She was a Central parent prior to being a Central teacher and spends most of her free time watching her kids participate in their activities.

Tracey Miller, 4-6 Cross Categorical Special Education Teacher

Mrs. Tracey Miller has a Bachelor's degree in Special Education from Western Illinois University and a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University-Chicago. She also has an elementary endorsement, as well as a high school psychology endorsement.

This is her 19th year teaching and she has taught at all grade levels, including college, in a variety of school settings. Mrs. Miller enjoys teaching students with special needs and cannot imagine doing anything else.

Mrs. Miller is married with three grown boys, two of which are still in college. She also has three Boxer dogs and two cats. During her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, reading, sewing, and baking.

Rita Mourisse, Speech Language Pathologist

Mrs. Rita Mourisse has a Master of Arts in Speech Language Pathology from University of Northern Iowa, Certificate of Clinical Competence by American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and Illinois Speech-Language Pathology License issued by IDFPR.

She is a Speech Language Pathologist at Central and has more than 15 years working in school setting with children aged 3-15 years old.

Mrs. Mourisse loves shopping, reading, gardening, and travelling.

Randi Oehlke, 6th Grade Resource Teacher

Mrs. Randi Oehlke graduated from Illinois State University almost 29 years ago. 

She is the resource teacher for 6th grade at CIS. In recent years, she was the 8th grade resource teacher in a nearby school district. Before that, she taught high school students with behavior and emotional disabilities in Joliet, IL. Her first job was as a teacher therapist at The Baby Fold in Normal, IL. 

When Mrs. Oehlke is home, she enjoys reading and cleaning her house. Aside from macaroni and cheese, she claims to be a horrible cook. She loves to spend time with her family and friends (especially if someone else volunteers to cook).

Autumn Paulsen, 2-3 Resource Teacher

Mrs. Autumn Paulsen graduated from Western Governors University in February 2023 with a Bachelor's in Special Education and Elementary Education.

She is the 2nd and 3rd grade resource teacher at Central Primary teaching math, reading, writing, and executive functioning skills. Previously, Mrs. Paulsen was a paraprofessional in a K-3 resource room for Pekin District 108.

In her spare time, Mrs. Paulsen and her husband enjoy traveling , off-roading and taking their jeeps or side-by side out on adventures. She also enjoys hiking, biking, walking the dog, and shopping with her daughter.

Amy Smith, 7-8 Cross Categorical Special Education Teacher

Mrs. Amy Smith received her Bachelor's degree and Master's degree from Illinois State University. 

This is her 17th year of teaching and her 1st at Central Intermediate School. This school year, Mrs. Smith and her team have been able to provide students with academic and community learning experiences in our Cross Cat Program.

Mrs. Smith and her husband have 2 kids ages twelve and fifteen, and 2 dogs at their house. In her free time, she enjoys watching mystery shows or movies.

Ariane Taft, 8th Grade Resource Teacher

Mrs. Ariane Taft has a  Bachelor's degree in Special Ed. from Monmouth College and her Master's in Educational Leadership from Western Illinois University. 

Mrs. Taft is the 8th grade resource teacher. She has had many roles over the years but her favorite is being a Special Education Teacher. 

In her free time, she enjoys reading and working out. She also enjoys spending time with her family and friends.