My name is Allison Kroesch (“Crush”). I was born in Boulder , Co. and moved to Illinois 6 months later. I grew up in Joliet , IL , where I attended St. Patrick’s Catholic Elementary School and Providence Catholic High School . After graduation, I moved to Normal to attend Illinois State University . I graduated in December 2002 with a B.S. in Elementary Education. Ever since my freshman year at ISU, I knew Bloomington/Normal was the place that I wanted to live and raise a family.

Since then, I have enjoyed working with children. I went from being a substitute teacher in Unit 5, Tri-Valley, and here at St. Mary’s, to being a one-on-one aide at Tri-Valley Elementary.

I finally started my teaching experience, commuting from Bloomington to Joliet (yes I was crazy!!!!) everyday to teach at St. Paul the Apostle. I had the privilege of teaching Kindergarten there for 2 years.

In 2006, I began teaching here at St. Mary’s, first as the Kindergarten teacher, now as the 1 st grade teacher. I enjoy working with the children has well as working in this wonderful environment. The faculty, staff, and parents have been so wonderful and inviting and I feel truly blessed everyday to work in such a wonderful community of people.

In the Spring of 2008, I started working on my Masters' Degree at Illinois State University.  When I am finished, I will have an LBSI degree in Special Education which I am very excited about. If you know anything about me, I strive everyday to gain more knowledge about every student in my classroom. This degree is helping me to meet the needs of all students I work with day to day and year to year.  

 I have a wonderful husband named James.  He works at State Farm and we were happily married on May 29, 2004. We celebrated the birth of our first daughter, Allie, on April 28 th, 2006 and our second daughter, Mary Kate on January 30, 2009! I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, quilting/sewing, and working outside.