My name is Lauren Mellott. I graduated from EIU in 2020 with a degree in Middle Level Education. I live in Charleston with my dog, Teddi, and am looking forward to another great year!

HI, I am Ms. Beabout and I am excited to be part of the 7th grade red team this year! I am thrilled to be your math teacher! It will be a year full of learning and exploring the best part of your day, math. I have spent the last five years teaching sixth grade and I just graduated from EIU with my masters degree. I have two daughters, who attended Charleston Schools, and five grandkids. I am looking forward to helping you become an awesome mathematician this year!

Welcome to the 7th Grade Red Team!  Charleston Middle School is such an amazing school!  We welcome your student with open arms and huge smiles!

 I am a Charleston native.  I graduated from CHS in 2000 and EIU in 2004 with a degree in elementary education and a middle school endorsement.  I've been involved in education all of my 20 years since graduating EIU. I have taught in the Casey-Westfield District (4th and 5th grade) and now CUSD #1 (Jefferson Elementary and CMS).

My husband and I are high school sweethearts.  We have twins (1 boy and 1 girl) who attend CHS.  We are big CHS soccer fans! Go Trojans! My family loves to travel.  We also love our pets so much!  Family means everything.

In my room, we have fun while learning.  You never know what you'll walk into.  My goal is for students to come in and know they are in a safe place. I am teaching in the same classroom that I learned in 30 years ago.  Full circle!  My former students all hold a very special place in my heart. 

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 taught at Jefferson from 2015-2024.

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

ANDERSON'S SOCIAL STUDIES WEBPAGE

Hi! I am from Elmwood, but I came to Eastern Illinois University in 2018 where I got my undergraduate degree and my master's. This is my third-year teaching at Charleston Middle School. I love to read and spend time with my dog, Vesper!

Hello! My name is Doug Kanouse (rhymes with house or mouse). I am a 7th Grade math teacher at Charleston Middle School. Outside of CMS, I teach part-time at Lakeland College. My hobbies include movie-watching, playing board/rpg games, and watching sports.

Hello, my name is Michael E. Pitcher. I started teaching at Charleston Middle School in 2019. I started my career in education in 2007 after graduating from EIU. I grew up on a farm in Cumberland County until moving to Charleston in 2007. I have taught 4th grade, 6th grade, 7th grade, and 8th grade in Paris, Casey, and Charleston. I have a Bachelor's of Science in Elementary Education and a Master's of Science in Educational Leadership with a Principal Endorsement and an Evaluation License. I am a huge sports fan, Go Cubs. I love cooking, music concerts, adventure, and even Star Wars. I am an extrovert who loves history! Let's learn about the past together, so we can make a better future, TOGETHER!

Mr. Pitcher's Social Studies Page