My name is Emily Jacobs and I have had the pleasant opportunity to serve CUSD#1 as a Kindergarten teacher for 25 years. I grew up in Charleston and attended Eastern Illinois University where I have earned my Master's Degree in Reading. I have a passion for working with young learners and especially enjoy teaching children how to read and write. I have three children, Ellie, Audrey and Nate. I have one Mini Bernedoodle dog named Maggie and one Himilayan cat named Reno. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I love watching my children's sporting events, traveling, hiking, kayaking, and watching a good Netflix series. I am looking forward to having the opportunity to teach your child this year!
Welcome to Ashmore Elementary School!
Ashmore Elementary School is a K-4 building located approximately 8 miles east of Charleston in the village of Ashmore. The one-story building is situated on a site of approximately three acres. Scattered around the spacious playground are several different types of trees. The design of the building is quite different from the traditional elementary school. The main part of the building surrounds a spacious central library. Students in grades first through fourth are in classrooms that open directly onto the library. The openness of the design contributes to the warm, family type atmosphere of the school. Students receive an excellent academic program presented in a supportive environment. The entire school staff strives to create a warm and inviting atmosphere where parents and students will feel comfortable. Support programs include reading recovery, speech/language and special education services. Technology is also widely used and integrated into the curriculum. Parental involvement is evident at Ashmore School. There is a picnic and talent show held at the end of the school year. It is always well attended by family and friends.
Principal Kristen Brown
Meet the Classroom Teachers!
Emily Jacobs ~ Kindergarten
Jordan Bess ~ First Grade
Hello! My name is Jordan Bess and I am the 1st grade teacher at Ashmore Elementary. I am originally from the Springfield area and found my way to Charleston when I attended college at Eastern Illinois University. I love all things that involve reading, learning, and exploring, which I have the opportunity to do every day with my students! Welcome to First Grade!
Tiffany Oakley ~ Second Grade
This will be my twenty-ninth year of teaching second grade at Ashmore Elementary. I live in Charleston with my husband, Brian. We have two children, Sydney and Nicholas. Sydney graduated three years ago with her Masters in speech pathology. She is married to Alan, who is a Charleston Firefighter. Nicholas graduated from EIU and is an Eastern Illinois police officer.
Carrie Giron ~ Third Grade
My name is Carrie Giron and this is my sixth year working for CUSD #1 as the 3rd grade teacher at Ashmore Elementary! I graduated from EIU in 2018 and have stayed in the area ever since. I am originally from Highland, IL. My husband, Lucas, and I just got married this summer! We live in Mattoon with our puppy, MJ. I love spending time with my little family, watching Marvel movies, cooking, and being around the people I love most. I look forward to another amazing year out at Ashmore, my home away from home.
Ali Trizzle ~ Fourth Grade
Theresa Bates ~ LBS1
Hannah Evans ~ Art/Music
I teach art and music at Ashmore Elementary and music at Mark Twain Elementary.
Michelle Strohl ~ Library
John McInerney ~ PE
Jodi Cline ~ Gifted and Talented Education
Mrs. Cline has been a teacher for the Charleston Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program since 2014. Prior to this, she taught as a substitute for six years in Charleston and Mattoon. She earned her first B.S. in Management at Purdue University in 1990 and later, a second B.S. in Elementary Education from Eastern Illinois University. Between earning those two degrees, she stayed at home to care for her 3 children as her husband was in the Navy. Her family moved states 7 times in their 11 years in the Navy. Mrs. Cline's family moved to Charleston in 2004 and all of her children have graduated from Charleston High School. Her oldest daughter is now a nurse in North Carolina. Her youngest daughter is a marketing accounts manager and lives in Georgia. Her youngest son is a tax accountant in Chicago. In her free time, Mrs. Cline likes to travel and eat (taking food-on-foot tours is one of her favorite vacation activities.) She loves reading (especially historical fiction) and singing and is a member of a few choral groups and barbershop quartets. Mrs. Cline enjoys working with students in robotics and sharing logic puzzles and especially enjoys teaching Math.