August 3, 2023 – Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 welcomes Dr. Charity Eugea to the Kahok Family as an assistant principal at Collinsville High School in the 2023-24 school year.
Dr. Eugea grew up in Waterloo, Illinois, and graduated from Waterloo High School. She earned master’s and bachelor’s degrees in elementary education from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. In 2022, she completed her doctorate in educational leadership at SIUE with research focusing on classroom behavior management.
She spent 16 years in the Waterloo School District teaching fifth, third and second grades. For the last two years, she served as the principal of the Evansville Attendance Center in the Village of Evansville, a small, rural K-8 building.
“I have loved every minute of it, but was ready for a new challenge,” says Dr. Eugea of her decision to join the administration at CHS.
She enjoys being an educator, even on rough days. “There is something special about being a part of a student’s learning journey, seeing them grow and learn and become adults, that makes even the most challenging days worth it,” she says.
Her philosophy of education is rooted in what Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Dr. Eugea brings that mindset to her new role at CHS.
“What a powerful and immense responsibility,” she says, “I am ecstatic to be a part of that responsibility with you. Each student’s educational journey is unique, and I am excited to be a small part of it. Teamwork plays an essential role in the success of each student’s journey, and I look forward to working together.”
Dr. Eugea and her husband, Derek, live in Waterloo, Illinois, with their children Grant (17) and Makenah (14), and two fur babies: Amarok, a husky, and Winston, a French bulldog. Son Grant will be a senior and daughter Makenah will be a freshman at Waterloo High School. Both play soccer year-round, and tennis for WHS.
Eugea is a self-proclaimed “avid coffee drinker” who loves grilled cheese and cheese pizza. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, reading, hiking and cycling. She’s a lifelong learner and loves reading relevant research on best practices in education.
“I am excited about the opportunity to be a part of the high school education world; to learn, grow and serve at CHS; and most importantly, to be a part of the Kahok Family!” says Dr. Eugea.