(From left; Mrs. Petty, Mrs. Lovdahl, Director of Education, and Mrs. Herkert)

Network Knowledge Educator Team

The Network Knowledge Educator Team seeks to instill a lifelong love of reading in children who have little or no access to books and are in danger of failing at school. Their programs promote literacy and build self-esteem by helping children develop vocabulary and cognitive skills so that they are Ready To Learn in school. Through book ownership, children learn individual responsibility and family bonding is enhanced as mothers, fathers and siblings share the new book together.

Educational Services "Magic of Reading" Tour 2007-2008

• Traveled over 18,000 miles
• Distributed 13,000 books
• Conducted 670 Ready To Learn classroom sessions and workshops
• Inspired thousands of children to read

Sue Lovdahl, Director of Education
Sue received her college education at St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa. She has a B.S. in Elementary Education with a specialization in reading. Mrs. Lovdahl taught 5th grade in Monmouth, Illinois, for three years, and preschool in Petersburg, Illinois, for seven years, completing her tenure there as preschool Director. Mrs. Lovdahl has worked as Director of Education for Network Knowledge for seven years.
 

Linda Herkert, Early Childhood Education; Instructor
Linda received her degree from Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. She taught preschool in Petersburg, Illinois, for six years, two as Assistant Director and four as Director, of Gingerbread Preschool. Mrs. Herkert has worked in the Educational Services Department for six years.
 

Shellie Petty, Educational Services Assistant; Instructor; Website Liason
Shellie received her degree from Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois. Mrs. Petty was employed for ten years in the insurance industry prior to spending five years in the Ball-Chatham school district as a substitute teacher and an Assistant Librarian. Shellie joined Network Knowledge in the fall of 2005.
 

For more information about Educational Services Initiatives or workshops, or to sponsor a program, contact Sue Lovdahl at 217-483-7887, ext. 244.