When Madison Noel tells her eighth graders that grammar and writing matter, she speaks with the conviction of someone who has always believed in the power of words. The new language arts teacher at Benton is in her very first year of teaching, but her path to this moment has been anything but ordinary. From Colorado to Southern Illinois, from psychology classes to youth counseling, Madison has taken the long road to the classroom—one that has prepared her to guide students with empathy, humor, and a deep love for reading and writing.

Born in Southern Illinois, Madison spent much of her childhood in Colorado after her family relocated for work. She graduated from Brighton High School in Colorado in 2015 before eventually returning to Benton, where her grandparents had once opened Jack Russell Fish Company on the square, a business her mother and stepfather later took over. Coming home felt right, and in 2017 she enrolled at Rend Lake College. Instead of sticking to a single track, she explored a variety of classes, drawn especially to psychology. “I feel like I learned a lot, specifically in the psychology area,” she recalled, noting how those courses fed her fascination with people and how they think.

She earned her associate degree in 2021 and continued at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where she majored in social work. After graduating in 2023, she stepped directly into a role as a youth mental health counselor at a Mount Vernon counseling center. On paper, it was a perfect fit. She enjoyed her clients and valued being a safe presence for young people, many of whom carried heavy burdens. But something was missing. While completing her practicum with a school social worker at Christopher Elementary, Madison had also been substitute teaching, and she discovered that she loved the energy of the classroom. “It was everything to me,” she said of subbing. “I just loved being at the school.”

The decision to leave counseling was emotional—she felt connected to her clients—but she realized her heart belonged in education. Determined to make the switch, she enrolled in the Teacher Ready certification program through the University of West Florida. Within a year, she was licensed to teach English for grades six through twelve. When an opening for an eighth-grade language arts position came up at Benton, Madison stepped into it with excitement and gratitude.

Her love for language is lifelong. As a child, she devoured books, racing through Junie B. Jones and the Goosebumps series before the age of eight. Today, she keeps a personal reading goal each year. Literary fiction is her favorite, especially character-driven stories that leave room for interpretation. Writing, too, has always been a passion—whether crafting essays in school or correcting grammar slips she notices in conversation. “The way you say something matters,” Madison explained. “Being understood matters so much, especially in a world where so much communication happens on our phones.”

In her classroom, that belief translates into lively lessons on grammar, writing, and expression. She insists on the Oxford comma, teaching her students to use it with a smile and a story about why it makes sentences clearer. More importantly, she encourages them to find their own voices. “These kids are so funny and so capable,” she said. “People hear ‘eighth grade’ and say, ‘good luck,’ but I look at their work and hear their conversations and think—they have so much to say. I want to teach them how to use that voice.”

Her connection to Benton is personal. Madison attended school here herself for part of sixth and seventh grade, and some of her former teachers are now her colleagues. Seeing them in the hallways sometimes sparks a wave of nostalgia—and a touch of imposter syndrome—but she reminds herself that she belongs. One of those teachers, once known to her as Mrs. Satterfield, made a lasting impression by taking Madison under her wing during a difficult time in her life. That example of kindness and care is something she carries into her own teaching.

Outside of school, Madison is building a life in Christopher with her fiancé, Jared, and his nine-year-old daughter, Athena. The couple recently bought a home, which Madison delights in decorating, and she enjoys evenings with their pets, finding comfort in the rhythm of family life. Books remain her constant companion, often replacing the hours she might otherwise spend scrolling on her phone. Reading, for her, is both escape and inspiration.

Four weeks into her first year, Madison is candid about the challenges but equally open about the joy. “I am loving it so much,” she said. “I hope I can make writing fun, even if it’s not their favorite thing, and help them see why it matters.”