For many people, the idea of returning to their hometown to build a career might seem unlikely, but for Stacia Sloan, it was always part of the plan. Born and raised in Benton, Stacia not only attended Benton Grade School, but she also dreamed of one day teaching there—a dream she has turned into reality, impacting students, families, and the school community for over 18 years.

Stacia’s journey into education began back in high school when a math teacher named Mr. Roper saw potential in her that she didn’t even recognize herself. “I struggled in math, and Mr. Roper went the extra mile,” Stacia recalls. “He used different strategies and was always in my corner, pulling for me to succeed.” It was the personal investment Mr. Roper made that sparked Stacia’s interest in teaching. “When a teacher cares about you, not just as a student but as a person, you excel,” she says. That realization became a guiding principle in Stacia’s own teaching career.

After high school, Stacia stayed close to home, earning a scholarship to cheer at Rend Lake College before finishing her degree at Southern Illinois University. She later completed her master’s degree through the University of Illinois Springfield, always knowing her goal was to return to Benton to teach.

For nearly two decades, Stacia taught fifth-grade language arts in the very same classroom where she had been a student. “It’s amazing how things came full circle,” she says. “I was teaching in the classroom where I had once sat as a student, and I felt like I was giving back to the place that gave me so much.”

But Stacia’s journey didn’t stop with teaching. This past summer, she took on a new challenge, stepping into the role of Dean of Students and Athletic Director for Benton Grade School, overseeing students from kindergarten through eighth grade. “I’ve always been around sports,” she explains. “I started coaching cheerleading when I was first hired, and I’ve coached cross country and track over the years. My husband teaches at the high school and coaches basketball, so athletics is a big part of my life.”

When the dean and athletic director position became available, Stacia saw it as an opportunity to make an even greater impact on the students she cared so deeply about. “I’d been in the same classroom for 18 years, and while I loved teaching, I thought it was time to try something new.

So far, the transition has been a success. Stacia spends her days supporting students and collaborating with the administrative team, led by Principal Ellen Gibbs. “Our admin team works really well together,” she says. “We support each other, and we all have the same goal—to do what’s best for the students.”

For Stacia, leaving the classroom meant leaving behind a team of colleagues she had grown incredibly close to. “That was one of the hardest parts of the decision,” she admits. “I’ve worked with some of those teachers for my entire career. We’ve celebrated each other’s milestones, raised our children together, and been there for each other through everything.” But her fifth-grade team has been her biggest cheerleader in her new role. “They’ve been wonderful, encouraging me every step of the way.”

As the Dean of Students, Stacia has expanded her reach beyond the fifth through eighth grades, now working with students from kindergarten through fourth grade as well. “It’s been an adjustment, but I love getting to know the younger students,” she says. “They bring so much energy and enthusiasm.”

Stacia’s dedication to Benton Grade School goes beyond the walls of the school itself. Her two children, Tenzley and Sandler, are also deeply involved in the school community. Tenzley, a junior in high school, is a cheerleader, track and field athlete, and a member of the girls’ golf team. Sandler, a seventh grader, is passionate about cross country and basketball. “Having my kids be a part of the same school where I work is a blessing,” Stacia says. “I’ve had the privilege of seeing them grow up here, just like I did.”

When asked what makes Benton special, Stacia is quick to highlight the school’s community spirit. “I’ve been in Benton my entire life, and the pride we take in supporting one another is unmatched,” she says. “Whether it’s sports, academics, band, or chorus, we always give our best. We want our kids to succeed in every aspect of life, and I think that’s what makes Benton so special.”

For Stacia Sloan, coming back to Benton was always part of the plan, but the journey she’s taken has been more rewarding than she ever imagined. With a heart for education, a passion for sports, and a deep connection to her hometown, Stacia continues to build on Benton’s legacy, ensuring that the next generation has the same opportunities she had—and then some.