We are excited and ready to watch our student-athletes shine in the classroom and on the court/field.

Welcome Mrs. Corina O’Barr!
Please join us in giving a warm welcome to our new Middle School and High School Art teacher, Mrs. Corina O’Barr! After raising her three grown children, working for a non-profit organization on Fort Leonard Wood, and serving over six years of dedicated substitute teaching, the 2025-2026 school year marks an exciting milestone—her very own classroom!
Mrs. O’Barr is eager to let her creativity blossom and to inspire a love for art in her students. With a passion for painting and a joy for meeting new people, she brings both talent and enthusiasm to our school community.
We can’t wait to see her classroom come alive with imagination, color, and artistic energy. Welcome to the team, Mrs. O’Barr!

Mrs. Vanostran brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the classroom, holding a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, a Master of Arts in Teaching, and an Education Specialist degree in Mathematics Education. She is deeply committed to student learning and excited to be part of the Crocker community.
This summer has been especially memorable for her — she married her husband, Matthew, on July 12! Matthew is the owner of Backwoods Powersports in Montreal. Together with her stepson, they enjoy spending time outdoors and hiking as a family.
In addition to her love for math and teaching, Mrs. Vanostran enjoys playing the clarinet and piano, singing, reading, hiking, and going to the gym.
We’re thrilled to welcome such a well-rounded, enthusiastic educator to Crocker. Welcome, Mrs. Vanostran — we’re so glad you’re here! 💛
📚🎶💍🥾📖🏋️♀️➕➗✖️➖

Traci is married to Crocker alumnus BJ Medlen, owner of Medlen Construction, and together they have five children. She enjoys being an active mom and spouse, juggling her role as a full-time family chauffeur, and organizing events that bring our school and community together.
Please give a warm Crocker Lions welcome to Mrs. Medlen as she begins her new role—we’re thrilled to have her on our team!

Please make sure to pick up your 2024/2025 yearbook. Last year's seniors can stop by the school anytime to pick up!

I am thrilled to welcome our new American history and physical education teacher, Mr. Matt Thompson! Mr. Thompson will also be our new head Junior High and High School Basketball coach. Mr. Thompson comes to us with an impressive background, having earned a double major in Education and Kinesiology from Illinois College in Jacksonville, Illinois.
During his time at Illinois College, he showcased his dedication and talent as a member of the Men's Basketball team for four years. His team not only achieved back-to-back conference championships but also made a mark in two national tournaments, winning a game in the process. Mr. Thompson is part of the winningest trio in Illinois College Men's Basketball history, boasting an outstanding combined record of 80-28.
In addition to his impressive credentials, Mr. Thompson is passionate about fitness and enjoys working out regularly. He loves playing pickup basketball, which not only keeps him active but also allows him to stay connected to the sport he loves.
When he’s not on the court, you can find him exploring new places with his fiancée. They share a love for movies and enjoy cooking together, making them quite the dynamic duo in the kitchen!
This year marks his first in teaching and coaching, and I couldn't be more excited to see the positive impact he will have on our students.
We’re excited to have Mr. Thompson join our Crocker High School family, and I’m sure he’ll bring that same enthusiasm and energy to our school community in the classroom and on the court. Please make sure to introduce yourselves and give him a warm welcome!
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📚 Crocker High School Teachers Growing Their Craft! ✨
Mrs. Schroer, Mrs. Gregoire, and Mrs. Avery recently attended Literacy at Work, a two-day professional development conference made possible through the Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Grant. This powerful learning experience focused on strategies that support literacy development across all subject areas—not just in English classrooms. Our teachers explored practical tools to boost student engagement, improve comprehension, and strengthen critical thinking in every content area. We’re excited to bring these cross-curricular strategies into our classrooms this school year and proud of our team’s continued commitment to professional growth!
#CrockerPride #CLSDGrant #LiteracyAtWork #CrossCurricularLiteracy #ProfessionalLearning #BackToSchool2025 #TeachingExcellence



We are excited to welcome Kendra Shoemaker as the new High School and Middle School Secretary!
Kendra is from Dixon and continues to call Dixon home. She brings valuable experience from her time working in the Crocker School District as a substitute teacher and is excited to return to full-time work after spending nearly two years at home raising her son.
Kendra is married to Seth Shoemaker, a proud Crocker alumnus, and together they enjoy an active family life. Some of her favorite hobbies include going to the creek, making sourdough bread, and taking razor rides with family and friends.
She’s especially excited to begin this new role alongside her sister, Krista Helms, who serves as the district nurse.
Please join us in giving Kendra a warm welcome — we’re so glad to have her on our team!



With 6 years of teaching experience in 3rd and 4th grade, she brings a passion for literacy and a heart for helping students grow. You may recognize her from her time as a substitute teacher at Crocker, where she also stepped up to teach high school English — talk about dedication!
When she's not cheering on her students (literally and figuratively), you can find her baking cakes, reading a good book, watching sports, spending time with her family, or enjoying an ice-cold Coca-Cola. 🧁📖🏈👨👩👧👦🥤
We’re thrilled to have her on board — let’s give her a big Crocker welcome! 💙📣 #CrockerPride #WelcomeToTheTeam #ReadingRocks #GoCrocker

We’re excited to welcome a familiar face to a new role — Mrs. Carissa Schroer is joining us as our new Middle School ELA teacher! After four wonderful years teaching 4th and 5th grade ELA at Crocker Elementary, she’s ready to bring her energy and expertise to our middle school students.
Mrs. Schroer holds a Bachelor of Science in Speech-Organizational Communication from Northwest Missouri State University and earned her teaching certification through the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence. Her background includes serving as a para and substitute teacher, and she’s no stranger to wearing many hats in education!
She has a deep passion for literacy, curriculum development, and supporting students through engaging, intentional instruction. Dedicated to continuous growth, Mrs. Schroer has already attended several professional development trainings and has more scheduled as she prepares for the school year. 📖🗂️💡
When she’s not in the classroom, she enjoys reading, traveling, and watching live theatre with her daughters. 🎭✈️
Please join us in giving her a warm Lion welcome as she joins the Crocker Middle School team! 💛🦁
#WeAreCrocker #WelcomeToCMS #LionPride #LiteracyMatters #CurriculumLeadership







