Alton Educational Foundation

Cathy Droste was born and raised in the Alton/Godfrey area. She is a 1980 graduate of Alton High School and earned her BS in Special Education and MS in Educational Administration from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. In 2018, Cathy retired from the Alton School District after 33 years in education. In addition to serving on the AEF Board, Cathy is a member of the Alton Community Service League, St. Mary’s School Board, and is active in the St. Mary’s Parish Community. Cathy and her husband, Mark, reside in Godfrey. They have two sons, Alex and Nick, a daughter-in-law, Nick’s wife Maddi, and one grandson, George.

I am a 2020 retired Alton School District teacher, Literary Coach and Assistant Principal. I married my highschool sweetheart, Miles, and we are approaching our 40th wedding anniversary in June 2022! We have 3 daughters. I currently work part time in the College for Life Program at LCCC. I am also proud to work for my church, the Godfrey First United Methodist Church, as the Director of Children and Family Ministries.

Carrie Schildroth was born and raised in the Alton/ Godfrey area. She and her husband Brian both proudly graduated from Alton High School as did their two daughters, Katherine and Rebecca. They currently live in Godfrey and are very active in the community. Carrie received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Education from Greenville College. Carrie has taught at
most of the elementary schools in the Alton School District and since 2015 has been a Computer Literacy teacher at Alton Middle School. She also teaches in the 21 st Century before and after school program and teaches summer school in the middle school program. Carrie is an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Alton, currently serving as an Elder. She has also
served as a Deacon and a Sunday School teacher. Carrie also assists with the Girl Scouts and is
President of her PEO Chapter. In 2021 Carrie was awarded the YWCA Women of Distinction
Award. Outside of work, Carrie enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading and
Blues Hockey! Carrie is very excited to join the AEF and serves as the recording secretary.

Marisa Murray was born and raised in Alton/Godfrey. She is a proud graduate of Alton High School and happy to be able to give her time back to support the district.  Her favorite part of serving on the board is helping support the teaching staff in the various academic initiatives. Marisa received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Accounting from Bradley University in Peoria, IL. She is a CPA and has spent over 15 years in the accounting and finance industry.   Both Marisa and her husband, Tim, are Alton High School Alumni and currently residents of Godfrey.  They have two daughters, Nora and Abigail, one son, Charlie and a puppy, Marlie.  Marisa is an active member at St. Ambrose Catholic Church and has spent time volunteering in Girl Scouts as well as coaching girls’ volleyball.   Outside of work and school, they love to be outside at the park or enjoying a weekend away camping.

Fiona Griswold assumed the role of Alton High School Librarian in 2021 after living and teaching in Lake Charles, Louisiana for the last nine years. A native of Illinois, Fiona earned her BA in English from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1994 and returned to U of I for her MS in Library and Information Science in 2009. In addition to working as a school librarian, she has also worked as a public librarian, middle school English teacher, study abroad advisor, and copy editor. Fiona has two sons, Jack, a junior at LSU, and Julian, a senior at Edwardsville High School. She is happy to have an opportunity to contribute to the Alton community who has been so welcoming. 

Bio Coming Soon!

Bio Coming Soon!

Phil Trapani – Is a retired principal of Alton High School. He was responsible for planning and administrating the move from the old Alton High to the new Alton High School building. As Assistant Superintendent he was instrumental in the planning of combining two middle schools into the current Alton Middle School. After over 40 years of experience in education, in four communities, Phil and his wife, Teri, have made Alton their home.