Mindi Ritchie was hired at the July 11, 2022 Board of Education meeting to fill the open position of Director of Student and Staff Supports. This new position encompasses duties in both Human Resources and student services, including student achievement, MTSS, Social and Emotional Learning, Outreach, and Restorative Practices.
“As our school district evolves and grows, our needs evolve, as well”, says Superintendent Dr. John Asplund. “As we move to a post-pandemic phase of teaching and learning, we need to provide a more robust system of supports for our staff members, as well as continuing to provide similar supports for our students. Mrs. Ritchie is the perfect candidate for this task. Our staff, and ultimately our students will benefit from a more holistic approach to Human Resources.”
Mrs. Ritchie is a class of 1995 graduate of Galesburg High School. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Spanish in 1999 from Knox College, and a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Dayton, in Dayton, OH, in 2003. Mrs. Ritchie began her professional career at Bridgeway, INC. in Galesburg, where she worked for several years as a Licensed Professional Counselor, and was later promoted to the role of Director of Child and Adolescent Services.
Mrs. Ritchie considers herself a lifelong student and earned Professional Educator Licenses in School Counseling (2008), and School Administration (2013) from Bradley University. She was hired as the Career and Technical Education Coordinator for Galesburg High School in 2009, before serving at Galesburg High School as a School Counselor and Department Chair. She then served as an Assistant Principal at GHS before moving into the role of Galesburg High School North Principal. Recently, Mrs. Ritchie acted as the Director of Student Support leading a comprehensive mental health program, district-wide Social and Emotional Learning program, and the Student Success Program at Galesburg High School. Mrs. Ritchie is currently pursuing her Superintendent Endorsement at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
According to Mrs. Ritchie, “CUSD #205 has exceptional educators and staff. In my new role, I’m most looking forward to multiplying my impact by serving them in addition to serving the students of our District”.
When Mrs. Ritchie is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her husband of seventeen years, Jeremy, and their two children, Ava and Alex, who will both be attending Galesburg Junior Senior High School this year.