IESA Headlines

Kristen D'Alfonso and Charlie Shempf to Join IESA Staff as New Assistant Executive Directors

The Illinois Elementary School Association has announced the hiring of Kristen D'Alfonso and Charlie Shempf as the IESA's newest Assistant Executive Directors after the June 17 meeting of the IESA Board of Directors.

"I am very excited that Kristen and Charlie will be joining the staff of the IESA," said IESA Executive Director, Nicole Schaefbauer. "We had several outstanding candidates but it was apparent that Kristen and Charlie would bring both experience and enthusiasm to the position. They have both served in various roles within IESA activities and that has provided them with a great foundation for understanding the role of the IESA in the interscholastic program of our member schools. They are going to be wonderful additions to our staff and we are looking forward to them being a part of the IESA team."

After graduating from Peoria Richwoods High School, D'Alfonso attended Illinois Wesleyan University where she was a four-year letter winner in basketball and softball before graduating with a degree in Elementary Education. She started her professional career at East Peoria Central Junior High; first, as a Language Arts teacher and then as a Literacy Coordinator. D'Alfonso then moved to the Morton Community School District to serve as an RTI Coordinator at the elementary level. In addition, she completed her graduate studies from Illinois State University. During her time at Central JHS, Kristen served as the head coach for cross country and basketball. She also served as an assistant coach for softball and volleyball and head basketball and track coach for East Peoria High School.

Kristen will have administrative responsibility for the sports and activities of softball, cheer, volleyball, and music as well as other administrative duties.

Charlie Shempf has spent his entire professional career with the McLean County Unit 5 School district as a physical education teacher. He has held a variety of athletic positions prior to joining the IESA staff. He has served as a licensed baseball umpire; served as a head freshman/sophomore and assistant varsity basketball and baseball coach for Normal University High School; and served as the head baseball coach for both Normal Chiddix and Normal Kingsley. In addition, Charlie has assisted in various roles at several IESA state tournaments during his time in Bloomington/Normal.

A graduate of Bartonville Limestone High School, Charlie received his bachelors degree from Illinois State University completing his BA degree in education in 2017.

Shempf will have administrative responsibility for the sports and activities of baseball, chess, wrestling, and bowling as well as other administrative duties.

Nicole Schaefbauer
Executive Director
Illinois Elementary School Association
309-829-0114