Mrs. Courtney Ziegler is our Title 1 Reading Tutor. Originally from the Quad Cities area, Mrs. Ziegler earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Illinois State University and her Master’s degree in Reading and Reading Specialist certification from Western Illinois University.
Mrs. Ziegler brings six years of experience in education, having taught in Fulton, Illinois; Champaign, Illinois; and at Peoria Notre Dame. Her teaching experience includes working with students from preschool through high school, including Kindergarten through 5th grade, 1st grade, and 9th through 12th grade. This wide range of experience has given her a unique understanding of the academic and developmental needs of students at every stage.
With a passion for helping students become confident readers and learners, Mrs. Ziegler uses a variety of strategies to support each child’s individual needs. As a mother of 13 children, including children with special needs, she has developed a deep understanding of and compassion for students with a wide range of learning needs, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, Down syndrome, sensory processing disorder, and language disorders. She believes every child has been created with unique gifts and works to provide a classroom environment where students feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow.
Mrs. Ziegler’s favorite saint is Our Lady of Sorrows, and her favorite prayer is the Seven Sorrows of Mary. Her devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows holds a very special place in her heart. Twenty years ago, she and her husband began this devotion after receiving a terminal diagnosis for the baby they were expecting. On the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, September 15, they met with a specialist to determine the best course of action. During the ultrasound, the doctor was unable to find the original concerns and determined that their baby was a healthy baby boy. Since that moment, their family has continued to place their trust in Our Lady of Sorrows and remain devoted to her intercession.
Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Ziegler is actively involved with the Penguin Project, a theater program that pairs children with special needs alongside their typically developing peers to perform Broadway productions. She enjoys using her gifts to help create opportunities for all children to participate, belong, and shine.