Hi! I’m Carol Redman and I have been the Director of Educational Talent Search since 2002. I was one of the original advisors in the ETS program when it was first awarded to our area in the fall of 1998. I think Talent Search is a fantastic program that has the potential to be life changing—giving teens the chance to plan their futures rather than just stumble into them. We have had wonderful graduates from the program over the years and continue to enjoy watching the students grow up, graduate from high school, choose colleges and careers, and enter the grown-up world as successful adults.
On a personal note, I graduated from Newton Community High School and then went to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale where I received a Bachelor of Science degree in business education. After graduation, I returned to NCHS and was a business teacher for several years. I have also taught at East Richland and West Richland high schools. My husband also graduated from SIU-C and taught physics and math at East Richland where he coached basketball and golf. Together, we have raised two daughters and two sons—all of whom are now college graduates. Having experienced college so often, I’ve learned a lot about filling out college and financial aid forms, about college life, and about the challenges teens face making choices and getting ready for college.
As for hobbies, I like playing with my pretty granddaughters and handsome grandson. Since one of my sons is a basketball coach and my daughter-in-law is a volleyball coach, I spend many evenings going to ballgames. I also teach a Sunday School class and enjoy music—especially gospel music.
So, what do I do as Talent Search Director? In the past, I have had the privilege of working as an advisor with ETS kids at Newton Community High School and West Richland Junior High and High Schools. Because of some physical problems, I will be spending my time in the ETS office helping to plan activities and provide lots of information, supplies, and motivation and watching student progress.
As Director, it is also my job to budget the money entrusted to us by the U.S. Department of Education in order to do the greatest good for our students. This allows all of our activities and services to be completely “free” for ETS’rs. Our activities include day camps, workshops, college/career field trips, and very cool cultural events at no cost to participants. Why? So they have hands-on contact with a variety of college campuses and cultural experiences.
I guess I want everyone to know that ETS seeks to provide opportunities
for its students to develop practical life skills, improve study skills,
explore a variety of career fields, locate and apply for financial assistance,
and collect information on colleges and college programs of their interest.
In other words, we want them to prepare for success by thinking college early.
Our Motto:
LOOKING FORWARD - REACHING HIGHER
(618)395-7777 Ext. 2284
Hi! My name is Jodi (Haines) Schneider. This is my sixth year as an ETS
Advisor. I feel very fortunate to work for such a great program. I enjoy
putting my teaching certificate to good use by educating students and parents
of all the wonderful opportunities that ETS has to offer. The schools I am
advising this school year include Newton High School, Jasper County Junior
High, Louisville (North Clay) High School, North Clay Junior High, Clay City
High School, and Clay City Junior High.
On a personal note, I am a graduate of North Clay High School. I am also
proud that I was a scholar/athlete at Olney Central College graduating with
an associate degree in science. I then transferred to Eastern Illinois University
and graduated with my Bachelors Degree in Education earning my teaching certificate.
I was the first in my family to have a college degree.
After graduating from EIU, I married Doug Schneider. We have two boys,
Avery (4) and Braden (2). Needless to say, there is never a dull moment
around
our house. We enjoy spending time at home, spending time at Mamoo and
Papa’s
house, working in our garden and yard, playing ball, & watching sports.
We love keeping up with Fighting Illini Basketball, St. Louis Cardinal Baseball,
and my brother’s baseball careers. My brother Andy is a coach for the
Florida Marlins Minor League in Jupiter Florida. He and his wife Erin reside
in Nashville, Tennessee with their daughter Hannah in the off season. My
brother Kyle plays baseball for the minor league San Francisco Giants. He
was in Norwich, Connecticut this year playing for the Connecticut Defenders.
My parents (Mamoo & Papa) reside in Louisville as proud grandparents
and avid baseball fans.
I really do love my job with ETS, and I hope that students and parents take
advantage of the opportunities our program has to offer. We not only want
students to graduate high school, but also have the chance and choice to
go to college. Every student should be able to choose his or her path to
a great career and successful life. Let ETS be your road map to that successful
path!
If you would like to keep up to date with all the new and exciting things ETS has to offer, check out our new blog page www.ets08.blogspot.com . In the last year or so, I have become a blog junkie. This is such a great way to keep in contact with students, parents, friends, alumni, etc! Happy Blogging!
Click here for Jodi's School Visit Schedules
(618)395-7777 Ext. 2286
Hello! My name is Nicole Weber and I am one of the Program Advisors for Educational Talent Search. I am very excited to be part of this wonderful program. My current schools include Albion Grade School, West Salem Grade School, Edwards County High School, Cisne Middle School, Cisne High School, Oblong Grade School, Oblong High School, Sumner Attendance Center, and Red Hill High School. This program will make a positive impact on every life that it touches!! How EXCITING!!
I graduated from Cisne High School in 1998 as Salutatorian of my class. After
graduation, I attended Olney Central College and earned my Associate in
Science Degree in May 2000. I started work study in the Educational Talent
Search
office in August 1999 (my favorite job ever to this point). At this time
in my life,
I was married and had a young daughter. It would have been so easy to just
find a job to help support my family. But with the encouragement from the
ETS staff, I realized that I wanted and needed more for my family. So,
I decided
to further my educational career at Eastern Illinois University. This was
one of the best decisions that I have made in my life, because it has helped
lead
me to where I am now—an Educational Talent Search Advisor!!! I graduated
EIU in May 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology Degree. I have worked
and resided in Olney since graduation.
My favorite hobby is my children. Alyssa is 9 and Anabella is 3, and they
keep me on my toes!! Alyssa is very active in Taekwondo and Soccer and
Anabella
is just very active!! My children are my life and my husband, PJ, and my
life revolve around our children. They keep us busy, needless to say!
I am very lucky to be working with Educational Talent Search. This program
helped me make a very important life changing decision that has positively
affected my life and I am forever grateful. I am excited to be a part of
this AMAZING program!!
Click here for Nicole's School Visit Schedules
(618) 395-7777, ext. 2285
Hello everyone! My name is Leslie Slankard, and I just recently received
the honor of becoming an Educational Talent Search Program Advisor. I am
thrilled to be a part of this program and am looking forward to getting
to know everybody! I graduated from East Richland High School in 2003 and
went on to earn my Associates Degree in Science from Olney Central College.
In December 2007, I received my Bachelors of Arts in Psychology degree.
I love learning and really enjoyed the time I spent in school!
I married my husband, Bill, on July 5th of 2008, so I am currently enjoying
the newlywed life. Bill and I live in West Salem with our adorable, spoiled
puppy, Tino. It is the perfect family for now, but we look forward to having
children someday. My husband and I love to watch movies, visit with our
families, and cook together. Prior to getting married, I had lived in the
same house in Olney since the day I was born. Needless to say, spending
time at my parent’s home is almost a daily routine for me. My sister,
Mackenzie, is expecting her first child, and I cannot wait to be an Aunt!
I feel so fortunate to have become a part of the ETS family. I am looking forward to visiting Olney, Noble, and Mt. Carmel Schools. Take care!
Click here for Leslie's School Visit Schedules
(618) 395-7777 Ext. 2283
Hi! I’m Elaine Brainard, the office assistant for the Educational Talent Search office. I started this position three days after I graduated from OCC in May 2004.
I guess I am what they call a non-traditional student. I graduated from Webber Township High School in Bluford, Illinois in 1977 (yeah, that makes me kind of old). I didn’t go to college right after high school, and realized years later that I would definitely need a college education to get a decent paying job. While living in Mt. Vernon, IL, I attended Rend Lake College in 1986 at the age of 28 in order to learn some office skills and find a better job.
I moved to Olney in 1992 and married my husband Gary in 1998. In 2002, the job I had as a payroll clerk came to a sudden end when the company closed down. So without a job, and still without a degree, I checked into opportunities to further my education. Olney Central College had just what I was looking for – an Associate Degree in Information Processing. So, back to school at age 44 – and would you believe it? I graduated as class valedictorian!! I am currently attending Eastern Illinois University and plan to finish my bachelor's degree by taking classes in the evenings and online.
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. My son is a senior at Eastern Illinois University, so I don't see him as often as I would like. I also enjoy fishing, boating, reading, exercising, cooking (although I don't like cleaning up the mess), and playing with my boxer dog Sadie. I have participated in the Richland County Relay for Life, Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids Sake, and the American Heart Association Heart Walk, as well as being an active committee member in the South Cove Community Association where I live.
Chances are, if you call in to the ETS office, I will be the one you speak with. As office assistant, part of my job is to write the monthly student newsletters and the quarterly parent newsletters. I also order all the office supplies and books that we need. In the summer, I coordinate all the necessary arrangements for the trips that we make with ETS students.
I am very happy that Carol chose me to be the office assistant for the Educational Talent Search program. I love my job and everyone here in our office is terrific to work with!
If you ever have any questions, or just need to talk, email me or give me
a call!
(618)395-7777 Ext. 2282