Ms. Pala started in Knoxville CUSD 202 in 2021 when she relocated to Galesburg, Illinois. Prior to that she served the community of Woodstock, IL for 25 years as a junior high math, science, and language arts teacher, a junior high assistant principal, and an elementary principal. She graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education, Aurora University with a Masters in Educational Leadership, and is currently working towards her Doctoral degree at Aurora University. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her two adult children, many friends and family. Attending live music shows and spending time on the beach refills her bucket! "Ms. Pala is a skillful, conscientious, dedicated administrator who thoroughly understands how children learn. She has a wealth of experience working in buildings with students from a variety of cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. She is an expert at leading by example and continuously works in support of students, parents and teachers."
About Us

Ms. Pala, Principal

Mrs. Godde, Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Godde has been working for the Knoxville School District since September 18, 2001. Besides her job, she loves spending time with her family, especially her four grandchildren, and traveling the world. She has been to Japan, China, Cambodia, Burma, Tanzania, Mauritius, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, England and many other countries. She really enjoys learning about different cultures. "Mrs. Godde works diligently to serve the families, staff and students of Knoxville. She can juggle so many things at once and can often be heard singing a tune to herself at her desk. She is the first person that families come in contact with and she sets the tone for the building. We appreciate all she does and who she is!"

PreK Team
Ms. Hinkle - Teacher for the Half Day Program (AM & PM)
Mrs. Petentler - Teacher for the Full Day Program
Mrs. VanUnnick - Paraprofessional for the Full Day Program
Ms. Machholz - Paraprofessional for the Full Day Program
Ms. Petlach - Paraprofessional for the Half Day Program

Kindergarten Team
Ms. Brown - Teacher, Mrs. Stearns - Paraprofessional & Recess Supervisor with Ms. Brown's Class
Mrs. Hageman - Teacher, Mrs. Vasquez - Paraprofessional & Recess Supervisor with Mrs. Hageman's Class
Mrs. Link - Teacher, Mrs. Jones - Paraprofessional & Recess Supervisor with Mrs. Link's Class
Mrs. Nixon - Teacher, Ms. Gilmour - Paraprofessional & Recess Supervisor with Mrs. Nixon's Class

1st Grade Team
Ms. Davies - Teacher
Mrs. Luptak - Teacher
Ms. Meyers - Teacher
Mrs. Steele - Teacher

2nd Grade Team
Mrs. Cypert - Teacher
Mrs. Derham - Teacher
Mrs. Farrell - Teacher
Mrs. McClay - Teacher

3rd Grade Team
Mrs. Keever - Teacher
Mrs. Magee - Teacher
Mrs. VanOpdorp - Teacher

4th Grade Team
Mrs. Bent - Teacher
Mrs. Nelson - Teacher
Ms. Pomazal - Teacher

Specials Team
Mrs. Fleisher - Librarian
Mrs. Lenz - Music Teacher
Mr. Maxwell - PE Teacher
Ms. Meadows - Art Teacher

Special Education Team
Mrs. Hilman - Resource Teacher, Mrs. Goff - Special Education Paraprofessional
Ms. Meredith - Resource Teacher, Ms. Taylor - Special Education Paraprofessional
Ms. Smysor - EBD Teacher, Ms. Bishop & Ms. Redington - Special Education Paraprofessionals
Ms. Potter - Life Skills Teacher, Mrs. Coombs - Special Education Paraprofessional
Mrs. Ruetz - Speech
Mrs. Derham & Mrs. Secrist - Special Education Paraprofessionals
OT, PT, SW, Psychologist are provided through Knox Warren Special Education Cooperative

Intervention Team
Mrs. Myers - District Coordinator
Mr. Farquer - Interventionist
Mrs. Kirgan - Interventionist
Mrs. Ericson - Counselor

Health Services Team
Mrs. Kimball - District Nurse
Ms. Becker - Part-time Nurse

Paraprofessional Team
Ms. Case - Instructional Paraprofessional & Recess Supervisor
Mrs. Carnes - Instructional Paraprofessional & Recess Supervisor
Mrs. Sterr - Instructional Paraprofessional & Recess Supervisor
Mrs. Wenzel - Instructional Paraprofessional & Recess Supervisor
Ms. Mason - Office Aide & Lunch Supervisor
Mrs. Hoyle - Office Aide

Kitchen Team
Mrs. Gibbs
Mrs. Asbury
Mrs. Crump

Custodial Team
Mrs. Hatch
Mr. Hatch
Mr. Kunkle