Distinguished Alumna
Class of 2026

Angie (McCormick) Gentry

AHS Class of 1983

Angie’s distinguished career in education felt more like a calling to her. She loved school as a child and played “teacher” a lot. As she got older, she found she related well to young children and enjoyed learning. Thus her career in education was launched, leading to her respected administrative role as Arcola Elementary Principal.

Angela Lynn McCormick was born October 31, 1964, the daughter of Suzy Hartley Bean and Clarence (Mac) McCormick of Sumter, South Carolina. Her mother was a hairdresser and her father was in the U.S. Air Force. She was the third of four children, with siblings Jeff McCormick, Pam King, and Kandi Norrell. Her family relocated to Arcola in 1976 when Angie was in the 6th grade.

At Arcola High School, Angie participated in many activities, including AFS, National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Cheerleading, Drama Club, Yearbook Staff, FHA, Scholastic Bowl, Computer Club, Volleyball, Concert Chorale and Chorus. She also served as a baseball statistician for three years and an Elementary Teacher’s Aid her senior year. Angie received many honors during high school, which included her election as freshman class vice-president, sophomore class president, freshman Homecoming attendant, AFS Historian her sophomore year and Spanish Club vice-president her senior year.

She received the National English Merit Award, was Junior Class Graduation Marshal, Illinois Girls State delegate, Homecoming Queen candidate, Journal Gazette All-Star Student and Prom Queen candidate.

Following graduation, Angie attended Eastern Illinois University and earned her Bachelor of Science in Education with Spanish, Language Arts and Reading Teacher Endorsements in 1990. She furthered her education at EIU by earning her Master’s in Education in 2001. Then in 2006, she earned her Administrative Licensure and became a National Board Certified Teacher. Her micro-credentials include Science of Learning and Trauma-Informed Education.

Angie began her teaching career at Arcola Elementary, where she spent sixteen years as a Fourth Grade Teacher and three years as the Reading Teacher. While teaching, she served as the Arcola CUSD #306 Gifted Coordinator and Instructor from 2001-2004, as well as the Director of Summer Youth Program, Crazy Daze, for the City of Arcola from 2004-2006 and 2008. In addition, Angie held the role of Supervising Instructor at EIU from 2001-2003 working with pre- service teachers completing practicum’s in teaching. Angie then became the Arcola Elementary Principal from 2009 thru 2023. After serving as principal, she became the Executive Director, Arcola Kids in Development Foundation from 2023-2025 as well as the Pre-K Compliance Manager for Arcola from 2024-2026.

Throughout her education and career, Angie earned several awards including being named a Junior Graduation Marshal at EIU. In 2004, she was named Wal- Mart Teacher of the Year. Then in 2014, Angie earned the Leadership Service Award from the EIU College of Education Professional Studies. Also, in 2014, she was given the Illinois Principals Association Mr. John A. Ourth and Dr. Fred W. Singleton Award.

Angie continues to be active in her chosen field of education by serving as a Professional Development Assistant and Instructional Coach at the Regional Office of Education #11 beginning 2023 to the present. Also, since 2025, she is a University of Illinois Clinical Supervisor working with pre-service teachers in their field placements. Ongoing throughout her career to the present, Angie continues to be a professional development presenter at various workshops and conferences.

Understanding the value of volunteerism and community service, Angie volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children in foster care, visiting them in current placements and writing court reports and recommendations. She has served as a school volunteer working with children one-on-one or small group as well as a student one-to-one mentor in Champaign. She has served as an I-Read, I-Count school based volunteer in Champaign. Angie has also volunteered as a private tutor to work with students who could not afford to pay for a tutor. She is the founder of Elementary Principals Network (EPN) and serves as a facilitator since 2010. Angie served as a mentor and presenter to principals in their first year of leadership as part of the EIU New Leaders Program and served on the College of Education and Professional Studies (CEPS) Philanthropy Board from 2015-2017. She was also active in the Arcola Citizen Action Committee where she was Treasurer in 2004 and Vice- President from 2005-2009.

Angie married Glenn Gentry in Mahomet on June 2, 1990. They have six children, Meghan, Myles, Max, Markie, Mason and Mae. Angie stayed home with Meghan and continued her college courses. Meghan started kindergarten at Arcola Elementary the same year Angie began as a 4th grade teacher. All their children attended school in the Arcola School District K-12, for a total of 31 years of Gentry kids in the Arcola system.

Angie and Glenn love to spend time with their granddaughter and also enjoy their time traveling with family anywhere new and different! Angie still enjoys professional learning by attending workshops, reading books and staying on top of anything current in education.