Social Sciences

Click here to view the courses offered by the Social Sciences Department. 

Kevin Collins (Lead Teacher) - 309-698-7557 - kcollins@ep309.org

Kevin Collins is currently a social studies teacher at East Peoria high school. Kevin received his B.A. in Education from Illinois State University. In the spring of 2009, Kevin also completed his master’s in Education from Olivet Nazarene University. When Kevin is not working, he enjoys spending time with the family, watching football and riding his motorcycle.

Ben Diggle - 309-698-7586 - bdiggle@ep309.org

I have been a member of the Social Sciences Department at EPCHS since 2010. In my time here, I have taught nearly every class our department offers – Government, Economics, Sociology and Psychology – but my primary focus has been U.S. History. I hold two Bachelor’s Degrees. The first was a Journalism Degree earned from Eastern Illinois University in 2003, which led to work in the Peoria Journal Star Sports Department up until I started here at East Peoria. In 2006, I went back to school to earn my Teaching Degree from Eureka College. When not teaching, I keep busy in a variety of ways nearly all of them revolving around sports. I serve as broadcaster for EastSide Community Television, which broadcasts EPCHS football and boy’s and girl’s basketball home games. I also serve as an assistant baseball coach at Illinois Central College and work as an Associate Scout for the Cincinnati Reds. In 2014, I was credited with signing my first professional player – 11th-round draft pick Mitch Trees of Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin.

Zach Fleming - 309-698-7578 - zfleming@ep309.org

Zach Fleming is a social science teacher at EPCHS. Mr. Fleming did his student teaching at EPCHS in May 2007 before graduating from Illinois State University. He earned a bachelor's degree in social science education and a minor in geography from ISU. Before studying at ISU, Mr. Fleming earned an associates degree in arts and science from Illinois Central College. In the Spring of 2008, Mr. Fleming started teaching at EPCHS. Mr. Fleming is certified to teach economics, sociology, psychology, government, geography, U.S. and world history, as well as anthropology. In 2010, he completed his master's degree in educational leadership and earned his administrative type 75 endorsement. He started coaching at EPCHS in 2007, and has coached wrestling and football.

Tom Stonebock - 309-698-7572 - tstonebock@ep309.org

I am excited to teach at EPCHS and have been teaching in East Peoria since 2010.  Prior to coming to the high school, I taught at Peoria Woodruff High School until its closure and at East Peoria Central Junior High.  I completed my undergraduate studies at St. Ambrose University, earned a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Bradley University, and have taken coursework at Western Illinois University towards an LBS1 endorsement.  In addition to my current responsibilities of teaching Psychology, Sociology, and World History, I am an assistant baseball coach.  My wife, Ashley, also teaches in East Peoria at Robein.  We have two children (Kate, 6, and John, 2).

Remi Ferguson - 309-698-7563 - rferguson@ep309.org

Remi Ferguson is an East Peoria alumni, graduating from EPCHS in 2017. She graduated from Eureka College in 2022 with a degree in History & Political Science Education and was a part of both their softball and basketball teams. She will be teaching four sections of Spanish I as well as a section of Civics and a section of US History. Remi is excited to pour into the community that shaped her and grow as a teacher in her first year. She is motivated share her Raider pride with students and be the role model for students that she needed when she was a student. Outside of teaching, she is also an assistant softball coach at Central Junior High and a volunteer softball coach at the high school. She also loves travel, yoga, and spending time with her family, friends, and kitties Odessa and Dexter.