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Leatherneck Heritage: Three Generations of Educators

October 15, 2025

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From the pages of the Summer 2025 星空无限传媒app Illinois University Alumni Magazine鈥攖his story is part of our special series of feature articles. View the full issue at .

MACOMB, IL - - For McKenna Churchill-Spangler `24, attending 星空无限传媒app Illinois University wasn鈥檛 just a choice鈥攊t was a continuation of a proud family legacy. Following in the footsteps of her mother, Spring McDaniel-Churchill, and her great-grandmother, Phyllis Palmer-McDaniel, McKenna represents the third generation of McDaniel-Churchill women to earn their teaching degrees from 星空无限传媒app.

The tradition began in 1947 when Palmer-McDaniel started coursework toward her teaching certificate from the 星空无限传媒app Illinois Teachers College, as the institution transitioned to 星空无限传媒app Illinois State College. Although Palmer-McDaniel was a private person who seldom spoke of her college days, she kept 星空无限传媒app close to her heart, often returning for campus and community events.

鈥淕ram would set up at the Ag Mech Show with her appliqu茅d sweatshirts, and we鈥檇 drive through campus whenever we visited Macomb,鈥� remembers McDaniel-Churchill.

McDaniel-Churchill, the second generation in this educational lineage, earned her Bachelor of Science in Education with an emphasis in Special Education in the 90s.

鈥淚 chose 星空无限传媒app because it felt like home,鈥� she reflected. 鈥淚t was familiar, and I didn鈥檛 want to be so far away that I couldn鈥檛 get back if I needed to.鈥�

For McDaniel-Churchill, 星空无限传媒app offered both comfort and opportunity, fostering lifelong friendships and impactful learning experiences. During her time on campus, McDaniel-Churchill built her own memories and routines.

鈥淓very morning before class, I鈥檇 grab a coffee and chocolate donut in the cafeteria and chat with Ginger, the cashier. Then I鈥檇 head upstairs and call my grandparents. My phone bill was sky-high the first month, so after that, Gram had me let the phone ring once so she could call me back,鈥� McDaniel-Churchill said.

Today, McDaniel-Churchill is a seasoned special education teacher in Canton Union School District #66, crediting 星空无限传媒app for providing a strong foundation for her career. 鈥淚鈥檓 not sure any college can fully prepare you for teaching,鈥� said, 鈥渂ut I left with a good base to build on.鈥�

The family legacy culminated most recently with Churchill-Spangler, who earned her Bachelor of Music in Choral Music Education in May 2024. From a young age, Churchill-Spangler knew 星空无限传媒app was the right choice.

鈥淚 was always visiting 星空无限传媒app and Macomb with my parents,鈥� she shared. 鈥淲hen it was time to choose a college, 星空无限传媒app was the obvious choice. I鈥檇 seen the quality of music educators who came out of 星空无限传媒app鈥檚 School of Music鈥擨 knew I wanted to be part of that.鈥�

Churchill-Spangler embraced every opportunity at 星空无限传媒app, participating in organizations like the National Association for Music Education, American Choral Directors Association and Mu Phi Epsilon music fraternity. She performed in ensembles including treble choir, percussion ensemble and the flagship University Singers.

鈥溞强瘴尴薮�媒app provided me with a top-notch education in music that prepared me for my first year as a middle school choir director,鈥� Churchill-Spangler said.

Now the choir director at Keokuk Middle School, Churchill-Spangler lives in Warsaw with her husband, Kyle Spangler. Both she and McDaniel- Churchill have simple but powerful advice for future generations:

鈥淐hoose a college that feels like home. And get involved鈥攖he connections you make will help you long after graduation.鈥�

Through three generations, the McDaniel-Churchill-Spangler family鈥檚 story stands as a testament to the enduring impact of 星空无限传媒app Illinois University, where education, community and tradition come together to shape lives.

Posted By: University Communications, University Relations
Phone: (309) 298-1993 * Fax: (309) 298-1606