Jefferson Elementary School -

My name is Mr. Bledsaw, and this will be my 12th year at Jefferson. Prior to teaching at Jefferson, I taught 3rd grade at Carl Sandburg before coming over to teach 5th grade where I have been ever since. Before coming to Charleston, I worked as a one-on-one aide in Clinton, where I also coached basketball. I attended school in a small school district near Decatur where my entire high school was not much larger than one grade level here in Charleston. I then first attended college at Richland Community College for 2 years, where I graduated with my Associate's in Science degree, before transferring to Millikin University, where I graduated with my Bachelor's of Science degree in 2011. While there, I worked in both the Admissions and Registrar's Offices. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, as well as cheering on the Chicago Cubs! I recently graduated with my Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction through Eastern Illinois University, but I am currently completing a second Master's Degree through Eastern Illinois University in Educational Leadership and plan on beginning the Principal Preparation Program in the spring. I was one of the original pilot teachers for Competency-Based Education for the district, so I am familiar with CBE, which we are starting district-wide this year. I also help referee basketball games for the Jefferson Intramural Basketball Program. I assist with the Jefferson Talent Show at the end of the year. In the past, I have also served as an advisor for Student Council, although this is now our Student Lighthouse Team as part of our Leader in Me initiative. I am also currently serving as a Virtual Instructional Coach for new teachers across the state. I look forward to working with your student this year!

Hello! I am originally from Shelbyville, IL, and gradated in 2017. From there, I attended North Central College, but transferred to EIU in 2018. I studied elementary education and graduated in 2021. I student taught with Mrs. Richeson, and I loved it so much that now I am her switch teacher. If I am not at school, you can find me coaching the EIU cheer team or hammocking at Lake Charleston. I have one cat; her name is Nala. She is very spunky and very spoiled. Always feel like you can reach out to me at any time. I am super excited for the year, and I hope you are, too.

Hello! My name is Ashlyn Hudson. I currently teach 5th grade ELA. I am from Charleston. I graduated from EIU with a Bachelor's of Science in Elementary Education in 2013. Prior to teaching at Charleston, I taught at Chrisman and Arcola. I have taught kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade. I reside in Charleston with my husband and our four children. 

I am a Charleston native and graduate, as are my husband and three spectacular daughters. Building a home ourselves, in the woods just south of town, complete with gardens and animals, has helped to ensure I'm here to stay. I love teaching. I've worked as a volunteer, substitute, para-professional, and teacher, including kindergarten through 12th grade, all subjects, and with ability diverse students. I am passionate about learning and the firm belief that we can ALL be leaders.

Leadership is not about being the best. Leadership is about making everyone better. ~ Brigette Hyacinth

I am from Charleston, IL and I have been teaching in Charleston since 2018. I am currently teaching English Language Arts, in the 5th grade.

Hello, families! My name is Tara Richeson. I am a 5th grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary. I grew up and graduated high school in Kankakee County (Bourbonnais/Herscher area). Shortly after high school, I moved to Charleston to attend Eastern Illinois University. I graduated with my bachelor's degree in Elementary Education in 2005, completing my student teaching in Manteno, Illinois. I've been a teacher here in the Charleston school district since 2008. I spent one year in the library, one year in 6th grade, and this will be my 14th year in 5th grade. I completed by master's degree in Elementary Education in 2018. I teach ELA (reading, writing, and word study). My partner teacher, Brianna Gaston, teaches math, science, and social studies. I come from a large family, and I have 6 siblings. My family still lives in northern Illinois. I try to go there often to visit. In 2011, I married my husband, Brant Richeson. He works in a factory an hour outside of Charleston. We have two children, Lainey and Nolan. Lainey will be a 6th grader here at Jefferson. Nolan is a 2nd grader at Carl Sandburg. We love to watch Lainey and Nolan play softball, t-ball, and soccer. We also enjoy traveling. I look forward to meeting and getting to know our 5th grade students and families!

My name is Krista Snider. I am a Fifth Grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary School. I was hired by Charleston in 2021! I'm very excited to be working for the district! I graduated from EIU in 1997 with my Bachelor's degree in Education with a minor in Psychology. I did my student teaching in 1997 in Oakland in first grade. After graduation, I worked in retail and substitute taught for 2 years. In 1999, I became a preschool teacher at a center in Mattoon ,where I taught 3 year olds. I was hired by Mattoon in 2000 to teach third grade for part of the year under a class size reduction grant. In 2001, I was hired by the Regional Office of Education as an Attendance Specialist and part time substitute for the Bridges Alternative Program. I spent 4 years working to improve student attendance in Mattoon and Moultrie County. In 2005, I was offered a full time position as a teacher for the Bridges program. I taught all subjects at Bridges and worked with students in grades 6 to 12. In 2021, after over 20 years working for the Regional Office and 16 years of teaching at the Bridges Program, I accepted my current position. I have always loved working with children and decided to become a teacher at the age of 15, after an amazing experience working as a camp counselor. I am married to my high school sweetheart and we have three children, 1 girl and 2 boys. We also have a red doberman named K.C. Lynn. Outside of school I enjoy swimming, crafting, painting, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

This is my 18th years teaching at Jefferson. I currently teach 5th grade Math, Science, Social Studies. My teaching partner is Ms. Odle. I am originally from the south side of Chicago, moved here to attend EIU and eventually made Charleston my home. I reside in Charleston with my husband and out two dogs. I sharpen my saw by spending time with my friends and family! Feel free to contact me with questions or concerns!

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.

Mrs. Babcock grew up in Vandalia, Illinois and then moved to Charleston to attend Eastern Illinois University. While at EIU, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. She later earned her teacher's certification in Special Education through the Golden Apple Accelerators program. In her free time, Mrs. Babcock enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her dog Daisy. She also enjoys camping, reading, listening to music, riding her bike, and hiking in the woods.

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!