2019 Education magazine

Page 4 2019 “Education making a difference” LINCOLN DAILY NEWS Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 S ince 1951 Chester-East Lincoln Consolidated School District #61 has been educating and preparing elementary students for future endeavors. The teachers and staff at CEL work hard to provide an experience for students that is engaging while meeting the current standards set by the state of Illinois. It takes a lot of people to run a school, and Chester East Lincoln is led by Superintendent Mrs. Laura Irwin and Principal Mrs. Ashley Aper. Mrs. Irwin grew up in Lincoln and taught sixth grade and kindergarten in Lincoln School District 27. She started her administrative career as a principal at Central Elementary before coming to Chester East Lincoln. She served CEL as the principal for one year before becoming the superintendent. Mrs. Aper grew up in Lincoln as well. She also taught in Lincoln District 27 for a number of years before she left to work for Tri-County Special Education Association as a Special Education Administrator. Chester East Lincoln was one of her districts while working with TCSEA. Last year she was hired by Chester East Lincoln as a principal and special education administrator. CEL provides education for approximately 300 students in grades pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The teachers and staff educate students using a workshop model in reading and writing by providing whole class and small group instruction. This school year the district has also begun working with a math consultant to map out the curriculum and make sure all standards are covered. In addition, teachers are learning different methods to teach math that Lessons for all - How to be good people Chester-East Lincoln CCSD #61 Superintendent Laura Irwin (left) and Principal Ashley Aper. Photo supplied by C-EL CONTINUED