Executive Council
2023-2024
Our executive council meets monthly throughout the school year to discuss and vote on union-related issues concerning our members. Want to know how your Board works and what you can expect if you join the Executive Board? Check out our handy guide.
Jeff West
President East |
I have been a Biology teacher in District 201 since 1999. In addition, I have been the Belleville East Science Department Chair since 2007. I have previously served the union as the chair of the technology committee and as East Campus Representative. I am a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and Missouri Air National Guard.
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Kelly Schlueter
Vice President West |
I have been a teacher at Belleville West in the Individualized Education Department since 2019. I have been teaching since 2007 and have taught everything from Title I to Kindergarteners to Study Skills to college seniors at McKendree University. I was a member of the Illinois Education Association since 2007 and worked my way up to Region Chair for the local area until 2019 when I became a member of the Illinois Federation of Teachers. At my last district, I held the position of union treasurer for 4 years.
I like to read Historical Nonfiction and Autobiographies and play my accordion in my free time. |
Ashley Mims
Secretary/Public Relations West |
In 2017, I was elected as the Local 434 Secretary and have been serving in that position since. I enjoy serving on our Executive Council and helping facilitate lines of communication within our council and to our members. I've been an English teacher on the West campus since 2011. In 2020, I earned my Master's Degree in Literacy Education and I am now a certified K-12 Literacy Specialist. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy spending my time with my husband and daughters. Free time for myself is in short supply right now, but when I get the chance, I love to read, binge watch a good show, or enjoy a delicious meal on a patio.
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Brandon Hentze, PhD
Treasurer / Comptroller / District Budget and Finance / Constitution West |
I am proud to be a member of Belleville Federation of Teachers Local 434, and to have served on the Executive Council since 1997. I have served as the Treasurer-Comptroller for Local 434 since 2018. I have a long history of union affiliation, coming from a proud union family with my father serving as a shop steward in Teamsters Local 50, and I was a member of the United Food and Commercial Workers before coming to the Illinois Federation of Teachers. I have been a teacher at Belleville West High School since 1995 in the Social Studies Department, and over this time I have served as a Department Chair, Debate, Speech, and Theater Coordinator, Director of Debate, Model UN Adviser, and director of the Freshman-Sophomore and Children's Plays.
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Scott Koeneman
Parliamentarian West |
I have been teaching in the Belleville West Social Studies Department since 2004. I also serve as the assistant Cross Country coach and assistant Boys Track coach at Belleville West High School. I enjoy running, camping, fishing, and traveling to watch stock car races. This will be my first experience with Local 434, and I am anxious to carry the banner that so many teacher leaders from previous generations have helped to establish
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Shelley Watts
East Campus Rep. East |
Bio unavailable. |
Kris Stephens
West Campus Rep. West |
I have been in District 201 since 1999. I teach math; most recently Algebra 1 Advanced and Intro Algebra 3-4. My wife is Physical Education teacher Sally Stephens. I have coached football as long as I have been in the district, and I am the head freshman football coach at West. I am also the faculty trainer for Synergy and on the NHS Faculty Board. I am currently the Building Rep for Belleville West and CAVE.
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Cyndi Oberle-Dahm
Immediate Past President West |
I have been a social studies teacher in District 201 since 1993. I have been the BW Social Studies Department Chair since 2014. In terms of involvement with Local 434, I began serving on the Executive Council in 2001. I have held the positions of Parliamentarian, Public Relations Chair, West Campus Rep, President Elect and President. I have been involved in leadership as President or President elect since 2011. I am currently Secretary Treasurer of the Illinois Federation of Teachers and the President of the Southwest Area Council (SWAC). I am also a registered yoga teacher, and I love to help people in their journey to wellness. I love to travel, cook, read and spend time with my husband and family.
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Jen Stenger
Grievance East |
I started my teaching career in 2000 and have been in District 201 since 2001. I began as a high school English teacher and am currently a school counselor. I first joined our Executive Council in 2012. I enjoy speaking with our younger staff about the importance of a strong union and encouraging them to get active within our union. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, working out, and waterskiing.
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Shawn Coughlin
Insurance East |
I have been a math teacher on East campus since 2005. I have served on Executive Council for over 10 years and have been on the insurance committee the past 5 years. I have also been elected to the Negotiating Committee for the past two contracts.
I enjoy spending time with my wife and our two wonderful kids. When I get some free time I like to fish, golf, and spend time outside. |
Thomas Gallaher
Legislative and C.O.P.E. West |
I have been teaching since 2015, but I started at Belleville West in 2021. As a social studies teacher with a particular interest in civics education, union membership has always been a high priority for me. I was previously president of the New Athens Teachers Association, and I am excited to serve on the Legislative and COPE Committee for BFT Local 434. Outside of loving what I do as a teacher, I also enjoy listening to and playing music with my wife, son, and daughter.
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Caleb Romoser
Membership West |
I started teaching in 2012 and have been at Belleville since 2015. After traveling between both campuses for a bit, I settled at Belleville West. I teach Spanish to our wonderful students, and I love helping kids expand their worldview and understanding through language and culture. I am an avid believer that we are better together and that there is power in community. This led me to begin serving on the Executive Council as membership chair a few years after joining the district. It has been a great privilege to help make sure our members feel heard and represented by our governing body.
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Seth Garrett
Elections / Calendar West |
I am in my 21st year as a Biology teacher with 18 of those being at Belleville West. I have served on the Executive Council in various roles during my time in District #201. Also, I have been a part of the Negotiating Team for agreements on the last 2 contracts. During my free time, you'll likely find me at one of my two childrens' sporting events or on the golf course!
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Jessica Templin
Professional Issues East |
Bio unavailable.
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Tiffany Stellhorn
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Technology West |
I started teaching math in 2009, and I’ve been teaching math at Belleville West since 2012. This is my first time serving on Executive Council within District #201. Along with being the chairperson of the Technology Committee, I am also in a new ad-hoc committee within the union called Trauma-Informed Support Team. I currently serve on the Union Leadership Institute (ULI) committee for IFT. I look forward to working with you all!
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Julie Blankenship
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Health and Safety West |
Bio unavailable.
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Marcus Barriger
President of Paraprofessionals East |
I am a 2001 graduate of Belleville West and I was hired in 2008 as a Paraprofessional on the East campus. Since 2014 I have been running the ISD program at Belleville East. I enjoy the task of being able to reach out and help kids not only with their education, but also help them in providing advice that hopefully results in better character and a better student. I'm currently the President of Paraprofessionals Council and I've served as the SWAC Representative on the Executive Council since 2019. I believe that everyone has a voice no matter how little that voice may be. I believe that a strong Union is only strong when every members ideas, opinions, and thoughts are able to not only be shared, but respected and considered. Outside of my involvement with the Union, I spend a lot of time on the lanes as the Belleville East Head Girls and Boys Bowling Coach. During the Summer I enjoy spending time with my family traveling.
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Liz de la Torre
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President of Administrative Assistants West |
Bio unavailable.
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Additional Non-standing Committees
- Organizational Equity Steering Committee: Ian Hendricks (Chair) Cyndi Oberle-Dahm, Soune Ursani, Carnetta Chalmers, Marcus Barriger, Riah Vicik, Erika Koonce, Derek O’Chiu, Stephen Garland
- Budget Committee: Brandon Hentze (Chair), Cyndi Oberle-Dahm, Marcus Barriger, Liz de la Torre, Kevin Sangiolo, Kelli Scaiefe, Angie Smyth
- PERA Committee: Cyndi Oberle-Dahm, Joe Nesbit, Jessica Templin, Matt Nimmons, Brandon Hentze, Jeff West
- Trauma-Informed Support Committee: Tiffany Stellhorn (Chair), Nicole Pelch, Lannette Story, Nick Johnson, Christina Roedl, Julie Schloesser
Our executive council meets monthly throughout the school year to discuss and vote on union-related issues concerning our members.