The first day of school for Coal City Community Unit School District 1 is set for Wednesday, Aug. 13, and Coal City Early Childhood Center will welcome three new teachers.
Brianne Clavenna returns to the Early Childhood Center where she spent most of last year as a student teacher and substitute. This school year she will be leading her own kindergarten classroom.
“I have always loved leading/teaching the littles, even as a little myself,” said Brianne, who earned her bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University with an endorsement in special education.
As an educator, she wants her students, “to learn to build meaningful connections as well as how to be problem solvers in and out of the classroom.”
For her a good day at school is one when students come in feeling a sense of belonging and happiness to be at school.
“I am excited to build connections with my first group of students and their families,” Brianne said.
In her personal time, she enjoys walking, watching movies, spending time with those she loves, and baking—or trying to bake.
Cade Mueller returns to his hometown as Coal City Early Childhood Center’s new physical education and health teacher.
A Coaler graduate, Cade is excited to return to his home district and wants to make the same impact on his students that his teachers made on him. Those educators and his parents are what inspired him to pursue a career in education.
As a teacher his goals are to share with his students the importance of staying physically fit and in doing so it can be fun. He wants them to take from his class the knowledge of being safe and respectful.
Cade looks forward to getting to know his students—all 409 Pre-K to first graders—and being a positive role model for them.
In addition to his teaching assignment, Cade will be coaching the sophomore baseball team in spring 2026. “I played college baseball for 5 years, even though golf is probably my best sport,” he said.
In his personal time, Cade can be found on the golf course, taking in a Cubs game, staying physically active and spending time with family and friends.
Hannah Shirkey will begin her teaching career as the new pre-kindergarten teacher at Coal City Early Childhood Center.
“I grew up in Coal City, so it’s always felt like home to me,” Hannah said of returning to her home district, adding, “It’s also an amazing and supportive district that I’m excited to start my teaching career in.”
Hannah said she has always loved working with children and that is what sparked her interest in the field of education. “I love to see the spark in a student's eyes when they learn something new or find something that interests them. Teaching is truly a rewarding career, and I’m glad I get to be a part of it,” she said.
In her first year of teaching, Hannah’s goals are to build connections with the families and students in the community and to learn from other teachers in the school and district, “because it's great hearing new ideas to incorporate into every day teaching.”
Hannah is excited to meet her first group of students and says it's so fun getting to meet new faces and create lasting connections.
As the school year gets underway she is looking for everyone to begin the class day with a positive attitude and smile on their face.
In her personal time she enjoys getting outdoors, but she also likes a good movie or puzzle night, and spending time with her two “adorable cats.”
Most of all, “I’m excited for this school year,” Hannah said.