Student Bios

Holly Gallagher

"Eastern brought an off-campus cohort program to my local community college. The evening and weekend class format was a great way to get the most from the classes while still allowing me to be a working wife and mother.The cohort design also brought a small group of local teachers together forming working partnerships that remain today. The classes, especially the ELE 5900 – Action Research, built upon my working knowledge, helped me look critically at the way I work with students in the library, and provided ideas/methods to improve the services I provide."

Holly (Reinoehl) Gallagher was born in Robinson, IL. After completing an undergraduate degree, she moved to Great Falls, MT where Holly earned a library endorsement and worked at the Great Falls High School Library. Ms. Gallagher returned to Robinson in 1998 as a librarian at Washington Elementary (PreK-2) and Lincoln Grade (3-5) Schools. She became a National Board Certified Teacher in the field of Library/Media in 2007 and earned a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education the following year.



Kelly Duckworth

"I feel more prepared entering the classroom after completing the post-baccalaureate teacher certification program and Master’s Degree in Elementary Education at EIU. I had the benefit of applying the advanced pedagogy, methodology and theory in many practical classroom experiences. Every pre-service teacher should have such an opportunity!"

Kelly Duckworth Shore is originally from Olney, MD. As a post-baccalaureate student who had previously received her Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising, she chose to pursue a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in reading. Ms. Shore’s action research project consisted of a case study that involved using a multi-sensory language approach to improve the reading and writing abilities of a third grade student who read significantly below grade level. In the fall of 2009 Ms. Shore will be student teaching in an Urbana, IL fifth grade classroom.



Ashley McBride

"EIU has shown me that it's not only what you teach, but how you teach that makes a difference...attitude is everything."

Ashley McBride is originally from Staunton, IL. She completed a Baccalaureate Degree in Early Childhood Education and chose to pursue a Master's Degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in reading. Ashley is currently employed as a Title I Reading Teacher (K-2) at Eastlawn Elementary in Rantoul, IL.



Ingrid McCallister

"The faculty in the Early Childhood, Elementary and Middle Level Education Department are passionate about their students’ continued success, which transcends into successful professionals."

Ingrid McCallister began her Master’s Degree in the Summer of 2008 with an emphasis in reading. As an undergraduate, Ingrid majored in Elementary Education with the Middle Level Option and received the Student Laureate Award from The Lincoln Academy of Illinois. Ms. McCallister currently teaches seventh grade reading at Mattoon Middle School in Mattoon, IL where she serves on the School Improvement Plan Committee and mentors new teachers.



Kyle Snyders

"In many ways I feel that I achieved my maximum potential as a part of Eastern’s Elementary Education Graduate Program. Serving as a graduate assistant for the professors in the department, I was able to work closely with the very people who were responsible for my instruction. At Eastern, I felt that I not only digested available educational literature, but added to it! Without a doubt, Eastern Illinois University has shaped the valued professional I am today!"

As a fourth generation teacher from Jacksonville, IL, education has always played an important part in Kyle Snyders’ life. Inspired to join the ranks of teachers by his late grandfather, Mr. Snyders earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. Given the competitive job market for teachers, he decided to pursue graduate study in order to increase his marketability. Kyle was awarded a Master of Science in Elementary Education Degree in 2008 and is currently employed by John Greer Grade Level Center in Hoopeston, IL. Mr. Snyders relies heavily on his extensive collegiate experience, especially his knowledge of reading instruction, to maximize the learning within his classroom.